Excelsior College- almost seems too easy

Nursing Students Online Learning

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I signed up for the payment plan program right before it expired at the end of September.

To me, that seemed to be the way to go.

So far, I have completed Health Safety, (skipped out of Health Differences due to LPN license) Reproductive Health, and will take Chronicity next week. My goal is to be on the CPNE wait list by January 1st. I plan to take Microbiology in January, and A&P in February through Excelsior.

I just can't help but feel sometimes that this is too easy almost. :eek: I am passing these classes with minimal studying and a majority of it seems as if it is a review of my practical nursing courses. I have read that they get more difficult, but I am wondering if the foundation has been laid already and I learned more than I originally thought I did in nursing school the first time around.?

Another part of me feels that this is the way that it should be; you learn what you need to learn, you quit wasting time in classrooms listening to an hour lecture for 16 weeks only to test out of the material anyway. A lot of my previous nursing school experience was self taught because I didn't understand the instructor, didn't care of the instructor's style, etc.

Anyway, I am pleased at how "do able" this actually is. I am trying to do an exam a week between now and Christmas, but I may space myself between the Lifespan classes because those seem a bit more in depth.

Just wanted to share my thoughts. YMMV.

Specializes in Med Surg.

I've still got to do A&P and Micro...those are scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving and Xmas Eve...like living life on the edge, right? (LOL) You just have to commit yourself to these exams. I tested every 2 weeks starting with the first exam. The cd that is available online has all the information needed. But there is still a lot of reading. There are also a lot of practice exams in it. I took the EC practice exams and don't forget their content guide. Read and read and re-read and then go test before you have time to get all of the information mixed up in your head. That is what worked for me. Don't get me wrong, I had a couple of close calls on familiar areas....key is to not become overly confident with these exams. Luckily, I passed each exam on the first attempt. Believe it or not, I actually had to use the process of elimination throughout one of the exams because I got kinda cocky by thinking I could test after only one week of study. I barely passed with a C but I did pass. I will never, ever do that again.

Ladside, so even though you need a&p and micro, all your nursing courses are complete I assume or they would not let you be CPNE eligable, right?

Specializes in SNF, Home Health, Psych, Hospice.

I am a LVN in California working at the Veterans hospital. I would like to ask what items did you use to study with.

I took Chronicity this past saturday and received a D, I was so upset because it was my first test and I feel that I was well prepared and knew the rationals.

Please advise. Thanks

Specializes in Med Surg.

That is correct. You have to have 21 of the 31 general education credits completed before being eligible for the FCCA and then the CPNE. For all of those interested, the information that I used to prepare for these exams are available on cd on Ebay. Once you go to ebay.com, type in Excelsior College exams and all the information and study guides that they have will pop up. I used the ones from the Nursing Concepts series. I think the CDs are like $25 but obviously well worth it. Keep in mind, though, these ARE NOT the recommended study materials by Excelsior College so if you have an issue with an exam grade, your argument will have no foundation since you are not using their recommended textbooks.

Ok great thank you so much, I will look into it!

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Yeah I've heard that cpne is a killer. Is it still a one on one single day ?

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Yeah I've heard that cpne is a killer. Is it still a one on one single day ?

It's 2.5 days with a clipboard-wielding, MSN-prepared clinical examiner (CE) over your shoulder the whole time. I'd rather take the NCLEX five times than one more CPNE, ever! :D

Specializes in geriatrics.

I feel the same way just started two weeks ago and im on my second course yaa

I feel the same way just started two weeks ago and im on my second course yaa

That's awesome! Don't underestimate Chronicity though...phew; or LifeSpan 1 either. What are you using to study?

Specializes in med-surg, geriactrics, oncology, hospi.

Although I learn stuff reading posts, some replys are very discouraging for me. How do you go so fast??Do you have kids, work full-time, have sickness yourself, aging parents that have to have assistance with things, 1 parent wound ^ dying after 1 1/2 yr. CA illness? I also had surgery myself few months ago. I keep @ it, but has took me already close to year & half & I haven't got to the nursing courses yet!Some of you must have more opportunities than me & the girls I know @ work that have went through the Excelsior program. Only 1 I know went very fast-less than a year to finish but she had prior credits.Maybe it's cause I'm 45+???

Specializes in med-surg, geriactrics, oncology, hospi.

Also Micro & A & P is hardest. Don't be too confident till youv'e finished them. I am on Micro & it's HARD!

Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
i am a lvn in california working at the veterans hospital. i would like to ask what items did you use to study with.

i took chronicity this past saturday and received a d, i was so upset because it was my first test and i feel that i was well prepared and knew the rationals.

please advise. thanks

what materials did you use? i hope you purchased the practice exams. they're worth the money.

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