Excelsior College

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 3, 2014

Articles to read:

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-distance-808335.html

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/clinical-performance-nursing-884109.html

I seriously recommend downloading and reading the information available on the EC website, such as the school of nursing catalog. So many people enroll without realizing how EC works. Welcome to the forum, there are many students and grads here! :)

NiteNurseNY · May 3, 2014

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have already read through the school of nursing catalog. I was just wondering if there were any local people in my area that have experienced Excelsior and could share their feedback with me. :)

wesmom · May 7, 2014

Hi there. I live in Phoenix, NY & have been doing the online program for longer than it should take. I was doing it by self studying and testing out but have just this week started my first 8 week class online, lifespan 1. I thought that trying this method with specific deadlines would help keep me motivated. General life kept distracting me. We'll see how it goes. So far, so good, but like I said, this is only the first week. I have 4 more classes to finish before I can do the clinical; all 3 lifespans & reproductive. Good luck with it!

NiteNurseNY · May 8, 2014

Hi!

Thanks so much for reaching out to me. I'm so glad to finally get the opportunity to speak with someone local to me that is going through Excelsior and can give me honest input and advice. :up:

So, it looks as though you are well over halfway through the program and are doing good.

I didn't realize that a student could switch from one option to the other (self-study program to online course program). That's good to know. I understand, though, that the cost of the Online Course program is about three times more expensive than the Credit by Exam one. Are you finding that to be true? I also know that you can have the option to obtain financial aid through that route, whereas you cannot by the Credit by Exam program. (Which I don't understand...)

I guess there are pros and cons with both, as that applies with pretty much everything. :yes:

Anyway....if you could give me some pointers and any other additional info on the program(s) I would definitely appreciate it! :)

I am leaning more towards doing the Credit by Exam program, as I work full time on the overnight shift and feel that going that route would be more conducive to my schedule.

wesmom · May 8, 2014

Yes, the online courses are much more expensive. You can get student loans for it or if you are eligible for student aid (TAP or PELL) if you take a certain amount of credits within a certain time period and fall in the income requirements. The self study credits are not eligible for any of that because of the time length for the credits. With testing out, you have up to 6 months to take the test after paying for it, but with the classes there are deadlines.

I don't really have any advice except if you really want it keep at it. It had taken me way too long in my opinion to get this far, but I'm plugging along. I think it does help if you make a schedule & stick to it. And when I did have a study buddy that helped too because we were in it together & kept each other motivated & doing it. Plus it's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of. :)

Good luck!

wesmom · May 8, 2014

If you have any questions or wanna brainstorm, let me know.

NiteNurseNY · May 8, 2014

Sounds good. :)

If you are interested in meeting up in person sometime to study together or chat via phone, let me know and I will leave my email address so I can send you my number.

(I don't want to post my digits on here.)