Excelsior College BSN program

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

How recent are you talking? I finished it in 2014. I would have been done much sooner but I sat out 2012 after beginning in 2011 (early fall). Had I realized just how doable the program was, I never would have taken an entire year off. Oh well...hindsight. For what it's worth, if any of the BSN nursing courses are still available in exam for (I don't know now; been kinda busy here lately), take the course option instead. In my opinion, doing the course option reveals so much more than merely studying for a pass. Besides, I'm biased. I failed my first-EVER nursing exam in EC's BSN program. :blink: :bag:

I received my ASN from EC as well, after being an LPN for 24 years. You're on a great path:up:...don't stop!

msyanna · Jun 9, 2016

Thanks. Was it a seamless transition from the ASN to the BSN program?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 9, 2016

Absolutely! After you graduate with the ASN, EC will give you a courtesy preliminary evaluation for their BSN program if you want one. After all, they already have your transcripts. And, if memory serves me correctly, if they haven't changed anything, as a graduate of their ASN program, your enrollment fee is waived. The only thing you'd need to do is present your RN license to them and wait for the official evaluation.

I'm a little foggy on the process because it's been a while. I know it was just as easy to transition from their BSN into their MSN program, even though I withdrew before classes began, because they already had my transcripts, as they're the ones who gave them to me.

When the time comes, speak with or email an academic advisor. But I'm sure that by the time you're done celebrating that NCLEX success, you'll be ready begin your BSN program.

MedicFireRN · Jun 10, 2016

Hi :) I finished the ADN program in the fall and started the BSN program at EC in the Spring. I really enjoy it so far. The advisors have all been very helpful, and I think I am actually going to switch to the RN-MSN track in August as that will be when the new catalog goes into effect and you can earn your BSN on the way. I didn't choose that option initially because there is no stop-off option to get the BSN in the process under the current catalog. EC does currently award both the BSN and MSN once the RN-MSN is completed, but I didn't want to wait for the BSN until my MSN is completed, if that makes sense. So know that is an option available to you come August if you're considering it.

EC did away with the option of taking exams for nursing credit for the BSN degree. You can still take exams for any gen ed credits, but you can only complete the nursing credits via courses now. They do still waive the application and enrollment fees. I didn't take any outside classes after I started my ADN at EC, so they already had my transcripts and all I had to send them was my nursing license.

Do you have any specific questions? I would be happy to answer or give any input you may want. I am very happy with my choice to stay at EC thus far. I took Stats, Writing for the Professions, and the Intro to Nursing Informatics courses last semester. This semester I am taking Nursing Leadership and Management and Ethics for Health Care. When the new trimester starts the Ethics will be done, and I am starting a class on Addictions in America. I have been doing all this while working a full time nursing position and I have found it manageable enough.

msyanna · Jun 14, 2016

Thank you both for your responses. I'm currently taking Addictions in America, its a great course. I'm trying to compare the course requirements for the BSN program so I can knock out some of those classes as well right now. I recall it saying that I need 6 credits of Eng Comp, 1 lower level and the other an upper level expository writing course. Which English class is considered an expository writing course?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 14, 2016

I believe EC still offers Writing for the Professions. I got permission from them to take a course from BYU...paid out of pocket (

Be sure to ask your advisor for any comparable alternatives to any of the required prereqs. You may find that some institutions offer cheaper and faster options that EC will except.

Now, one thing that you said that was not allowed when I went through EC's program is something you'd want to check into before you start spending money. While pursuing the ASN, EC would not approve any coursework or exams that did not pertain to your current degree path. Believe me, I tried. I was on a role back in those days! They wanted the attention to remain focused on the current degree to help ensure success, which does make sense. Of course, things change. But I was not allowed to touch any portion of the BSN requirements UNLESS a particular BSN general education course or exam could be used to satisfy an area of my ASN prereqs.

Im going to go out on a limb and say that the time to look ahead to EC's BSN requirements in an effort to see what you can get 'out of the way' has passed unless you still have a couple of general eds remaining in you ASN degree. That 'killing two birds with one stone' is usually done in the area of electives. But, all things change. So, again, check with your advisor. May I suggest that you speak with an advisor ASAP to get some of your questions answered so that you won't be as distracted by BSN requirements at this point? From my experience, the FCCA, CPNE, and the NCLEX are going to demand more of your time and attention than the BSN alone.

Just don't want you to goof on either one of these, nor any of your remaining courses or exams. If your advisor tells you now that they're not going approve anything BSN-wise, I would use that extra energy and motivation you obviously have by looking into my next ASN exam, if I were you, to accelerate my journey to the finish line.

MedicFireRN · Jun 14, 2016

BsnBeDone is correct on EC not giving approval for courses that are not part of your degree plan. You may be able to take them without approval, meaning they won't guarantee that they will apply to the BSN program by the time you enroll. They won't give you any advisement of what you should take. You could probably knock out stats or other gen eds like that, but if they change degree requirements you'll be stuck with classes you don't need that you've already paid for.

Writing for the Professions fulfills the upper level expository writing course. I found out after I started that class that I could have taken the grad level writing course which would have counted and is only 8 weeks long (Writing for Professions was 15 weeks long). If you're a strong writer and have time for the condensed work, that's an option.