Excelsior bound!!

2brn09 · Apr 27, 2011

Hi, i'm currently enrolled as an EC student. I have Lifespan 1-3, FCCA, and CPNE left. This isn't an easy program, but it is definitely the way to go for me. I'm studying for LS 1 now and hope to test by May 20th. You can do this, just don't get discouraged and stop because it's harder to start again. I've been enrolled for two years. I started back last year in March after my sister passed away of cancer. I really should be finished, but I have three kids still at home and just a lot of things distracted me. You can do it!

JENNIFER27 · Apr 27, 2011

Hi, i'm currently enrolled as an EC student. I have Lifespan 1-3, FCCA, and CPNE left. This isn't an easy program, but it is definitely the way to go for me. I'm studying for LS 1 now and hope to test by May 20th. You can do this, just don't get discouraged and stop because it's harder to start again. I've been enrolled for two years. I started back last year in March after my sister passed away of cancer. I really should be finished, but I have three kids still at home and just a lot of things distracted me. You can do it!

Thanks 2brn09!!! I have three kids as well and Im working two jobs so I thought this would be the best route for me. Im planning on taking health safety next month May 31st, so far I've gotten the book from college network and lisa arends cd and Im waiting on the cd from studygroup 101..I'm proud of you though dispite your obstacles you are perservering and I hope to do the same!!! :yeah: :yeah:Keep in touch!! Glad I'm not alone!!

savagetrojan · Apr 27, 2011

Excelsior is a great opportunity. Very few limitations or deadlines. Study for half hour on a day when the kids go to bed early(yeah right) or study for a half day when grandma takes them to the park...anyway, you get the idea. I have EIGHT people in my house, including two screaming babies, three whining young adults, one stressed out wife and one VERY good 12 year old son(Thank God). I managed three of the exams since March 25th and will be taking a fourth one tomorrow. This program is VERY doable if you have the drive, determination, discipline and (in)sanity to do it! The great thing is we have a great support group here, we share our hopes, dreams, accomplishments, and frustrations that only WE know what we are going through. Those who have finished always share words of encouragement, those who are "breezing" through are always willing to help, and those that are struggling know they can come here for advice....Welcome to the family!!!!

2brn09 · Apr 28, 2011

Thank you very much savagetrojan for words of encouragement. How long do you think it will take you to complete the program? Wow! you manage to concentrate with a lot of people in your home. One thing I do know is that family is important. I am studying now for LS 1. Hopefully I can test by May 20th. Maybe we can have some type of study group.

JENNIFER27 · Apr 28, 2011

Thanks Savagetrojan!!

savagetrojan · Apr 28, 2011

Thank you very much savagetrojan for words of encouragement. How long do you think it will take you to complete the program? Wow! you manage to concentrate with a lot of people in your home. One thing I do know is that family is important. I am studying now for LS 1. Hopefully I can test by May 20th. Maybe we can have some type of study group.

After tomorrow I will have Repro, LS1-LS3, A&P II, Microbiology. I am moving at a pretty good pace, I am hoping to have all the nursing theory exams done by July 2nd, then the FCCA before the end of July. If everything works out I will take A&P II through Straighterline(already approved by my academic advisor at Excelsior). I can study for the CPNE at the same time and HOPEFULLY be able to take the CPNE by the beginning of November. I would like to sit for my NCLEX just before Christmas! I will be 47 in August and after procrastinating for 18 years as a LPN, making up a hundred excuses to not go back to get my RN, I want to give my wife, kids, grandkids, and myself a Very, Merry, Christmas gift. I've already told my wife I only want a new stethascope with my full name followed by RN under the tree. I would be glad to have a study buddy. Are you looking at a similar timeline? I think it's good to bounce ideas off each other and from reading other posts it seems that others have done well when they have had a CPNE study buddy. Either way, I've sent you a friend request so we can keep in touch.

PGWLPN · Apr 28, 2011

New here, so how are clinicals done through Excelsior?

2brn09 · Apr 29, 2011

Yes, I am. We have exactly the same timeline. I too will be 47 in August.

JRP1120, RN · Apr 30, 2011

I am about to graduate with my ADN from a school here in GA and am interested in knowing if anyone knows first-hand how the RN-BSN program works at Excelsior? I've been to their website and looked around for a bit but am still kinda confused how it works? Any help, guidance or suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks!

savagetrojan · Apr 30, 2011

New here, so how are clinicals done through Excelsior?

The answer to this question is usually a very sharp sting to those who aren't aware.....but....here we go.

AFTER you finish any prereqs and the theory exams you then have to take a three part written simulation known as the Focused Clinical Competency Exam(FCCA). Once you have completed that you get to go on a THREE day clinical examination at a hospital. It starts on Friday afternoon and ends some time on Sunday. You will have to perform to ALMOST perfection the EXCELSIOR way while being watched by clinical examiners. You can read up on all of this here by typing in CPNE in the search bar, and read of others experiences, you can also read about it on Excelsiors website but I think you can get an almost first hand account by reading of others experiences. The first time pass rate of this clinical is around 60-65%.

savagetrojan · Apr 30, 2011

I meant Focused Clinical Competency Assessment(FCCA) not exam