Excelsior College Exams

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

Hi there, i'm just starting with EC as well, i've begun with A&P but it's ALOT of info, and was almost considering doing the NC1/Health and safety first instead to give me a boost of confidence! But i dont know...i guess i just want to get the hard one's over with for myself so i can focus solely on the NC ones and not worry about the gen ed's. sorry off topic, just wanted to say hi and say i'm new to EC too so you arent alone!

toby4 · Jun 19, 2008

Thanks for replying. Just have to do NC courses. Been CNA for 9 yrs. and Nurse Tech. two yrs. wanting to finish with RN. So many review books but hearing that Saunders is good way of reviewing. Know a few students who took Hurst review as well. :)

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

You were accepted as a CNA?

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 19, 2008

You were accepted as a CNA?

It appears that Toby got halfway through an ADN program. :up:

Toby, I personally liked Saunders's book. I also would buy books that were recommended but go an edition back to save money or I used books from my husband's collection from when he was a traditional RN student if they weren't too dinosaurish. I went to Half Price Books whenever I had a chance. I bought most my stuff from alibris.com.

toby4 · Jun 20, 2008

Thank you everyone. Applecruffette I appreciate the Info. Yes, I got through to semester 4. Immediate Family chronic health issues. Just thinking Excelsior would be more convenient for me. Im looking into buying Saunders Comprehensive Review. I do have other review books but their not up to date. Been hearing alot about Saunders, Kaplan, Hurst. But is it best to stay with EC's study guides or use others as well. Are the work study guides for FON, Med Surg recommended. Thanks for any replies.

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 20, 2008

No problem! If you're talking about the work study guides that EC sells with the textbooks through their partnered bookstore, I suppose they would be helpful. I never used them. I just tried to penny pinch and bought older editions of books. The free study guides from the EC website plus the practice tests for $60 have been successful guides for many students, me included. I know the practice tests are an extra expense, but they are truly invaluable. Good luck! By the way, you can take NC1 and NC2 plus any gen eds (like micro and A&P) before enrolling, which will prolong spending the big money.

toby4 · Jun 20, 2008

Applecruffette:

Thanks, I do have the free study guides from EC and purchased the books online. I think Im going to purchase the Saunders Comp. book. I have my prereqs. finished so all I have to do is take the nursing exams. They sent me a list, I called the school admiss. they want me to start with Health safety, Health differences. Then admiss. said to enroll and take chronicity and move on from there. Im excited because Im guessing I will know most of info. and possibly be finished sooner. Maybe I can take a test a month. Just wondering how difficult the exams are. Will see if the exams become harder after first few. :)

NC Girl BSN · Jun 20, 2008

I recently finished all my exams under the new curriculum and applied for the CPNE the first week of June 2008. It took me 6 months and 24 days to take all the test. I was exempt from NC 2 and had to take Health Differences 2 and Transitions to RN role over because I got a D on them. So basically I took a test every three week and fit the 2 I failed in between them all. I was very motivated. I also bought some of the recommended text, Lisa Arends notes and Study group 101 notes. I also bought all the EC practice test and some College Network modules off EBay. I used a little of everything. Now I am reading the CPNE study guide and trying to make sense of it all. The 3 FCCA have not been developed yet and wont be available till Oct 08 so I will wait until after the CPNE to take them. Best of luck to you. Just remember that if you fail an exam, its not the end of the world. Just move on to the next one and pick it back up later.

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 20, 2008

Rock on! For my last 4 tests, I did them within 6 weeks, all with A's (NC 7, 3, 4, 5, in that order, with NC 1, 6, and micro being done a few months before that). Just don't ever take two on the same day. I am an acute care medical transcriptionist for the past 3 years (I'm an LPN since 2001), so that really, really helped with knowing the material for tests.

It sounds like you are set! If you are really knowledgeable in an area, the Saunders book is usually pretty sufficient if you take tests well. Good luck!

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 20, 2008

NC Girl--do you have Rob's CPNE video? That really started me off on the right track as to ideas for getting started after I read the carjack.

NC Girl BSN · Jun 20, 2008

NC Girl--do you have Rob's CPNE video? That really started me off on the right track as to ideas for getting started after I read the carjack.

Yes I have Rob's Video! It is really good! I am in the process of developing my CPNE lab in my home. I made my dummy,got my supplies and started learning my 20 minute check mnemonic and safety mnemonic. Next week I will incorporate it in my work place and practice it in my CPNE lab at home.Maybe we can correspond by phone or email. I am looking for someone to study with and who can quiz me and vice versa. Let me know what you think since we are so new in our studies.