Excelsior Grads-need your opinion!

Jo Dirt · Jul 23, 2008

I've only had one nurse manager with reservations about how I earned my degree with Excelsior. She was a little older and totally unfamiliar with distance education. One of the nurses who sat in on the interview told her what a stringent program it was. I had a job offer on my answering machine before I got back home.

The hardest part by far is the clinical, and it doesn't have anything to do with what kind of grades you are capable of making. Some of the most prepared people go in and come out with their tail between their legs.

Personally, I think if you have a good opportunity to go to a brick and mortar school you should do that. Excelsior is not the quick and easy way. No matter how fast you can pay for and finish the tests (I was doing 1 to 2 per month) you will still have the mandatory waits and by the time it's all over it will still take you about 2 yrs..

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2008

There are a few states that DO NOT recognize Excelsior degrees for an initial license.

CA, IL - not sure of the others but you need to be sure IF you are going to do the program. Check with you BON and be certain.

As for time - do a search here - it took me approx 1 year - however, I am aware of a few that have done it in as little as 4 months. So what you save in time - well, it could be valuable.

As for employment - no worries from where I sit. I work as a flight nurse/paramedic maintaining clinical practice, Board Certification in Critical Care, Emergency and Flight Nursing. I also maintain certification as a Critical Care and Flight Paramedic. No one ever asked where my nursing education was from - ever.

I will concede that my experience may not be "normal". I had a strong clinical background going in - so, that may change things. However, with a clinical background (LPN) and with the current state of nursing - I'd think you may have your pick of opportunities.

Good Luck!

Jo Dirt · Jul 24, 2008

There are a few states that DO NOT recognize Excelsior degrees for an initial license.
CA, IL - not sure of the others but you need to be sure IF you are going to do the program. Check with you BON and be certain.
As for time - do a search here - it took me approx 1 year - however, I am aware of a few that have done it in as little as 4 months. So what you save in time - well, it could be valuable.

When did you do this? I graduated in 2006 and the wait for the CPNE alone was 4-6 months.

I heard of finishing that quickly in the 80's but I don't see how a person could do that now.

akvarmit · Jul 24, 2008

I can "ditto" what the other posters here have said......

Excelsior is do-able, with the right background and personality.

There was a huge wait to schedule for the clinical part.

You need to study for the clinical, not just blow in and expect to pass. It's a process in itself not to be taken lightly.

I had zero college credit and completed my ADN with them in exactly 2 years. I averaged a test per month.

I had 1 manager hesitant about my Excelsior background when I transferred from med-surg into the ER. But my present Med-Surg manager at the time told her not to worry about it. (Found out later the ER manager had wierd hang ups about other stuff, anyway)

It all depends where you live and where you want to go for your first job. Research your area. You can call the college and ask for the names of graduates in your area that are willing to share their experience. (The college has a list of these folks) That might help you see how your local community has received Excelsior grads.

tallone123 · Jul 24, 2008

I thank those of you who have posted good information to keep in mind while deciding on an online educational nursing format. I am currently in this decision process.

I did call my local DC BON office and they said both Excelsior and Phoenix had accreditation with them, even though it's not listed with their regular university/college accreditation mentions-why do you think this is? I have not called the Univ. of Phoenix folks yet to price their program out.

I would need to take all the clinical nursing classes myself, along with the NCLEX. I haven't priced them out, but soon will, in terms of which online educational organization can more cost-effectively deliver this material. Any thoughts on this process from the more educated/experienced who lurk in our forum?

Weird question, but is there any other accredited online nursing educational program that would allow their students to totally study and take all their exams online, or does one need to go to an exam location and take all their exams there? (I was just wondering if one can totally stay within the confines of their home-not pay for gas to the testing station, deal with traffic, etc.) Thanks a lot!

Itshamrtym · Jul 25, 2008

I graduated from EC ADN in 2005. I found it to be a great program. YOu must be very motivated to stay on task, but it sounds like you won't have a problem with that. As others have posted, check with your board of nursing to see if they accept it... The CPNE was not easy by a long shot. But, it is doable is properly trained the EC way!!

If you do a search there are many others on here in the distance learning forum that are doing it now. As I have read there is a very long wait to take the CPNE (clinical comp. exam) currently. So this is something that you might want to consider too. Not sure about the all on line thing. When I went through it wasn't on line @ all. The BSN is both. (on-line and exam). Good luck to you!!!

tallone123 · Jul 27, 2008

Thanks for replying back. I was wondering how much time it took to work with the classes, the toughest of the nursing school classes, to do well on? I get the feeling there's a fair amount of memorization, right? And on average, for the ol' 8-12 week class, Excelsior has their students only take one class at a time, right?

If one does follow this schedule, then I get the feeling that on the physiology, anatomy, and other hard science courses, it's a fair amount tougher to slog through the material, right? Everyone has their own pace, but would you say at least 1-2 hours a night in class, and study time or what?

I just thought I'd ask and see what's at stake in this whole pursuit.

I think it's like 10 clinical-non-GE classes, so that's what I'd be after.

I also have the ol' NCLEX-PN study guide, to see if I have the content retention before I take the classes.

Thanks again, and hey, if any previous Excelsior College grad. still has their academic class material, and I could pay for the postage, would people ship them my way to DC, or what? Thanks.

Itshamrtym · Jul 28, 2008

tallone: Check out the distance leaning forum on all nurses!!!! It should be very helful for you!!! take care and good luck. Short on time right now, I will try to give you some more info also.

dessyrell · Jul 28, 2008

you can go to their website: excelsior.edu...you can open an account for free and start browsing...i went through them, took me 11 mo to complete it and now am working as a RN. The waiting time on the cpne is shorter these days...check the boards! and also, check with your board of nursing and make sure they accept excelsior... :up:

tallone123 · Jul 28, 2008

Hey, I really wanted to thank those of you who wrote back--very nice of ya'll to do so, eh? Take care...

hiyall · Jul 29, 2008

Everyone, thanks for your replies! I had about lost faith in online schools because I've heard nasty opinions from RNs who graduated from "brick and mortar" schools. Again, thanks for the great suggestions, I will follow your advice!