excelsior college

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 16, 2004

I'm presently enrolled in EC and doing well. A's on the first two exams and headed toward the third on Friday, feeling good, confident, happy.

Since you have asked, here's what I'm doing. If you are inclined to email me, please feel free--I'm happy to "visit," and discuss, share, etc., etc. I figure we are all in this together.

First and foremost, if you see anything related to "Excel Advantage" or "Academy of Nursing," or posts by "nursesruletheplanet" or "robmanager," run, as they say, like hell. They have NO nurses involved in their program, they have collected stuff off free sites (what stuff they have), their "study guides" cost more than Chancellor's, cover less material, and, when you are done, you have nothing in your hands to show for it. Avoid them like the plague they are.

Personally, I'm using Chancellor's. I heard about it from another student on one of the yahoo groups. She was selling one used one, the price was right (for a looksee) and I bought it. It is a workbook with tapes of a guy reading the workbook, pretty much verbatim, but not totally. It covers material I had seen in my "traditional" school, and I knew the material to be accurate.

Since I learn best by auditory reinforcement, reading along with him not only helps me focus but apparently gives me two ways to remember the material: reading and hearing.

In addition, I joined every yahoo nursing group I could find, looked at all their files and downloaded the ones related to the courses I would be taking. I go over those notes, clean them up (grammar, spelling and formatting--just a thing I do), and as I am doing that, I am also reading the notes, so there is a third way I am exposing myself to the material.

I take the EC practice exams: they come two to an exam for $65. It is timed (2 hours), works very much like the real ones you take for a grade, except at the end you get your grade, all 100 questions with your answer and the right answer, along with rationale and the occasional odd note about the material addressed in that question. You can go back and look at those things for up to 2 (or is it 3?) months. I take one at the beginning of my prep and one near the end. Both times, because the questions are identified as being related to a particular topic area, I know which area I need to go back to, read over and concentrate on a little bit more.

I also take those "SETH" tests, although there will be some questions which are wrong. So, my rule of thumb is, if I disagree, or didn't know the material was right for a fact, I look it up: in my fundamentals texts, by googling, in the Chancellor's workbook. I find it somewhere. I also have one face to face study buddy, and one that I just email with. We share those questions back and forth as well.

That's all I can think of, so far. I'll be glad to find your email in my inbox, if you choose to send some. If I can be helpful, I'm glad to be.

Welcome to EC--personally, I think it is the most sane way to get to the RN. If you did your first year in a traditional school, you'll see what I mean.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 16, 2004

First and foremost, if you see anything related to "Excel Advantage" or "Academy of Nursing," or posts by "nursesruletheplanet" or "robmanager," run, as they say, like hell. They have NO nurses involved in their program, they have collected stuff off free sites (what stuff they have), their "study guides" cost more than Chancellor's, cover less material, and, when you are done, you have nothing in your hands to show for it. Avoid them like the plague they are.

And his latest name: LPNCrazy...look out for that one, too. He's a real snake.

Nurse2B73 · Feb 17, 2004

Rue is not associated with Excelsior College. Excelsior provides their own study guides which many students find adequate. Some students have said they like Rue but is is expensive and you have to sign a long contract. Rue doesn't have an inside track to what is covered on the exams. Good luck.

Ok. I went to RUE's website and they focus on schooling through Excelsior according what I read on their site. The Students get their degree and graduate through Excelsior. So RUE is associated with Excelsior.

Here is how you get your Nursing degree through RUE.

1 We will determine the general education and nursing courses you need to meet all academic requirements for your degree through Excelsior College.

2 Prepare for end-of-course (standardized) exams in the subjects you must test out of to meet these degree requirements.

3Take each end-of-course (standardized) exam when you feel you are ready, at a testing site in or near your hometown.

4 Transfer all exam results plus any other earned college credits to Excelsior College for review.

5 Prepare for and take your clinical performance evaluation at a host hospital designated by Excelsior College.

5 Graduate from Excelsior College with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Degree.

6 Take the NCLEX exam for your RN.

How are they not associated?

Here is the website where I got the information from.

http://rueed.com/sevensteps.asp

Good Luck everyone.

How are they not associated? :)

Nurse2B73 · Feb 17, 2004

And his latest name: LPNCrazy...look out for that one, too. He's a real snake.

They go through Excelsior too. That school have alot of different programs in the united states. I just wish california would pull their heads out of their butts and let us join in on the course. It would be a big help for me because I am not able to quit work yet.

God Bless

Sadbulldog · Feb 17, 2004

They aren't associated at all with Excelsior. They offer study guides that follow along with Excelsior test formats. If you read on Excelsiors site - they say to beware of any company that claims to be associated with them. They merely provide study guides to prepare for the tests.

Any publishing company can claim they follow along with the program guidelines. . . but they are not endorsed. And I'm not bashing publishing companies. . .I'm currently with Chancellors. Chancellors claims the same thing - but all they are selling is a study guide. I've BTDT - and really it isn't such a huge help. I found Lisas notes on study groups more helpful.

Nurse2B73 · Feb 17, 2004

Yeah I saw that on Chancellors website too that they provide study guides and you enroll with Excelsior using that companies study guides.

It is all crazy. I wish there was an online program that California did recognize. They don't recognize any online programs so far. I am still looking and searching.

Take care and God Bless

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

How are they not associated?

Excelsior College has no relationship with any of the study guide companies, that's how. "Associated" means they have some kind of mutual relationship. EC says they have no relationship with these companies, the companies say they have no relationship with EC.

How is this difficult?

You or I or Joe Blow down the street can take the material EC publishes, develop a course curriculum, study guides, and practice testing materials, specifically (supposedly) designed to help EC students pass their exams. We can then sell it to anybody who wants to buy it.

Are we then "associated" with Excelsior College? (no.)

NEXT.....

and you enroll with Excelsior using that companies study guides

Again, no. You apply to, are accepted by, and enroll in Excelsior College using Excelsior College's resources: website, stuff they send you, the people on the other end of the toll free line.

You no more "enroll" with Excelsior using Chancellor or Rue or the others, than you "enroll" with Excelsior by buying your text books. All the study guides are, are boiled down textbooks. Very organized collections of notes. That's it.

NEXT......

I wish there was an online program that California did recognize. They don't recognize any online programs so far. I am still looking and searching.

Are you forgetting that California is your state too? Go to to the California nurses' forum and collect some EC graduates, organize a letter writing campaign, call all the representatives. Gather material to support your contention that EC is a good school and EC grads are good nurses. (Hint: contact the New York State Board of Education. They will send you more documentation of pass rates for EC grads than you ever wanted.) Get the hospital association behind you. Don't you have a shortage of nurses in California? Aren't you hiring foreign educated nurses there, like we all are? (No offense to foreign nurses, but you weren't educated here, and we are discussing a state refusing US grads but accepting foreign grads, on the strength of passing a written exam.)

Take your energy and go for it! The last word is not in, last I read on this BB. California is "discussing" it. See if you can't get in to see Arnie! Afterall--US educated nurses from a NY school ought to be something California wants.

Good luck! Hope this helps!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

(was supposed to be a PM)

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 17, 2004

All that was said about the publishing companies not being associated with EC is true. If you go to their website and click on the link marked as, "A warning about publishing companies," (or something like that) they will tell you point blank that they don't endorse any of these companies. You can call EC about this and get it from the horse's mouth. But if you have the $, and feel it's worth it to you, go for it. Keep your notes clean and in good shape and sell them on Ebay when you're done with them. Lots of people do this. The one I hear the best things about in my study groups is Chancellor's.

Agnus · Feb 17, 2004

Ok. I went to RUE's website and they focus on schooling through Excelsior according what I read on their site. The Students get their degree and graduate through Excelsior. So RUE is associated with Excelsior.
Here is how you get your Nursing degree through RUE.
1 We will determine the general education and nursing courses you need to meet all academic requirements for your degree through Excelsior College.
2 Prepare for end-of-course (standardized) exams in the subjects you must test out of to meet these degree requirements.
3Take each end-of-course (standardized) exam when you feel you are ready, at a testing site in or near your hometown.
4 Transfer all exam results plus any other earned college credits to Excelsior College for review.
5 Prepare for and take your clinical performance evaluation at a host hospital designated by Excelsior College.
5 Graduate from Excelsior College with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Degree.
6 Take the NCLEX exam for your RN.
How are they not associated?
Here is the website where I got the information from.
http://rueed.com/sevensteps.asp
Good Luck everyone.
How are they not associated? :)

STOP for Pete sake, go to Excelsior College and ask EXCELSIOR if they endorse them, if they are affiliated with them, if they authorize their materials, ask EXCELSIOR if they approve of them.

You will get a very different response. Rue is trying to Sell their very costly study package.

Please, verify what I am saying with Excelsior. Do it for yourself not to prove I am right.

There is nothing that says you cannot use Rue many students do and are happy. But do it fully informed as to who they are and what it is you are paying for. As I said earlier their advertising tacticts are misleading. They are consciously and deliberately that way so that you will believe they are an affiliate of EC or have some special edge that they can give you in getting your degree or passsing your exams. Some of thier ads seem to imply that the only way you can get an EC degree is though them and that is not true.

Here is how to get a hold of EC directly.

http://www.excelsior.edu

7 Columbia Circle

Albany, NY 12203-5159

phone: 1(888)647-2388

Fax (518) 464-8777

I want if you choose Rue to do so knowing exactly what you are choosing. As I said some students find it helpful.

Here is another tip. If you choose them refuse to sign a contract. That way if at some point you deside that you do not want to continue with them you are not locked into a contract that will really cost you.

Tell them you want to try them out and will only do business with them if you are allowed to purchase one study guide at a time.

They will tell you if you don't sign the contract the price of the guides will go up and it will cost you. Ignore that as they sometimes go us slightly only every year or two. If after trying several guides you feel they are a good choise and you want to sign a contract then go ahead.

Good luck! I promise along with others on this board you do not need Rue. But above all check with EC first.

Agnus · Feb 17, 2004

as far as evaluating your prior credit for transfer they can give you a ball park estimate. But only EC will determine what they will and will not accept.

I contacted Rue. they did the eval of my transcripts and they told me I would have to take more exams than I really did. Certain of my credit they said would not transfer. B. pucky. They lied or where not informed. Anyway they tried to insist that I had to buy thier guides for those exams as well as the nursing guides.

They will not transfer anyting for you not your transcripts not anything. and they do not transfer your exam grades to Excelsior as your post suggested. Prometrics the testing facility does that. Prometrics is not affiliated with Rue either.

Agnus · Feb 17, 2004

Ok. I went to RUE's website and they focus on schooling through Excelsior according what I read on their site. The Students get their degree and graduate through Excelsior. So RUE is associated with Excelsior.
Here is how you get your Nursing degree through RUE.
1 We will determine the general education and nursing courses you need to meet all academic requirements for your degree through Excelsior College.
2 Prepare for end-of-course (standardized) exams in the subjects you must test out of to meet these degree requirements.
3Take each end-of-course (standardized) exam when you feel you are ready, at a testing site in or near your hometown.
4 Transfer all exam results plus any other earned college credits to Excelsior College for review.
5 Prepare for and take your clinical performance evaluation at a host hospital designated by Excelsior College.
5 Graduate from Excelsior College with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing Degree.
6 Take the NCLEX exam for your RN.
How are they not associated?
Here is the website where I got the information from.
http://rueed.com/sevensteps.asp
Good Luck everyone.
How are they not associated? :)

I dare you to ask Rue why they do not have a link on thier site to EC. Doesn't that seem strange to you that an affiliate does not provide a link? EC does not have a link to Rue. Yet, EC provides numerous links to other sites. Ask yourself why not Rue if they are affiliates.