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. 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.
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+???
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I am young-er. I have no children (by choice), but I do have a worthless unemployed husband which is part of my motiviation to get done so quickly. I am healthy and in good shape otherwise.
I took a test about every 3 or 4 months for the nursing classes & about every 6 months for micro, A & P, lifespan and stats. I did end up taking about a year and a half off in the middle because of life stuff. I did have pretty much all the other pre reqs done prior to my start at Excelsior. the whole point is to go at your own pace, whatever your pace may be. Don't be discouraged. (BTW, I was in my 40's too, single, working FT with kids) one of my friends only took 1 test a year, but she did finish.
Specializes in med-surg, geriactrics, oncology, hospi.
it's tough. my children are 2 and 3; and trust me- they are more than a handfull. i also work full-time. now...my prereqs are done (except for information literacy). you have to work at your own pace and do what's best for you. i've been out of high school almost 20 years, so i doubt your age has anything to do with it (lol). life happens. adversity happens. lately i've had to study after 10pm (when my children are asleep) on the days that i'm not working. on sundays, i try to study the entire day. i worked with a lady last year that took 3 years to finish; but she did it- and i commend her. she was a single mother of 4 school-age children...working full time. one of her children suffered from a chronic illness. i found her situation encouraging.
Specializes in med-surg, geriactrics, oncology, hospi.
I took a test about every 3 or 4 months for the nursing classes & about every 6 months for micro, A & P, lifespan and stats. I did end up taking about a year and a half off in the middle because of life stuff. I did have pretty much all the other pre reqs done prior to my start at Excelsior. the whole point is to go at your own pace, whatever your pace may be. Don't be discouraged. (BTW, I was in my 40's too, single, working FT with kids) one of my friends only took 1 test a year, but she did finish.
Thanks for all replys! I had only partial English credit to start c. So I am on 8th course/test, + art & English-1 credit needed- then I am into the 6 nursing courses I have to take. Have had 2 major life events hold ^ my progress. I usually study late into PM on 3 off nights.
I just finished EC's course and passed my NCLEX last week. It took me 2 years, but that was due to a money shortage (you know - LPN: Low Paid Nurse). I had to become a travel nurse to make enough to pay EC. I spent 2 years and traveled 3400 miles and I'm finally DONE!!! And you're right about already knowing the material. I mean, body systems are body systems, medications are medications, assessments are assessments - they don't teach us something different in LPN school. When it comes to the CPNE, I don't know anybody in any school that has a more stringent clinical exam, so passing it is something to be proud of. But even their clinical is all stuff that you know because you're already a nurse and you've done it. And ditto on the xanax. I had some with me but was afraid to take it, afraid my mind wouldn't be as clear. The first night I failed 2 labs, not because I didn't know them forward and backwards, but because I just got so nervous I froze. So after realizing that my NERVES were making my mind unclear, you better believe the next day I took a minimal dose of xanax and my mind was JUST FINE because my nerves were in check. But whatever works for you. There are lots of EC Alumni on here ready to encourage you. You'll be fine.
I had never taken xanax before so my NP suggested I try it before I tested, good advice I must say. I had no anxiety at all when testing, I knew my labs and mneumonics forward and backward. My last PCS had family members AND a CE in training along with the CE...thankfully I was relaxed by that point and was able to joke around with the family and pt while doing my assesment. Kudos to all the testers that can keep their nerves in check!
Specializes in med-surg, geriactrics, oncology, hospi.
Go to the Excelsior College website, http://www.excelsior.edu. Up to date cost information can be found there.
There are many variaNCES TO COST. dOEs YOUR WORK PAY A %? That helps.Also, whether you have to buy or borrow study materials? Used or new? If you buy all new stuff & get all resources, it will be real expensive.I.m gessing but probably between 10,000-15,000.I hear the final clinical is very high, goes ^ every year. There is also a clinical prep some nurses go to that is expensive but I,m waiting till I get there (if I do ) to investigate that.They have payment plans which is what I will do if needed Soozul
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.? 
lashandra74
16 Posts
Just wanted to let everyone know that you have been a motivation and inspiration to me. especially hot in phoenix.