Excelsior Grads - Where are they now?

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EC grads,

Post your year of graduation and your specialty/specialties. I'll go first:

I've been a Level II/III Neonatal ICU nurse since graduation in January '06.

Update 5/2018: I've worked for a large NICU since 2009 in bedside and education roles, and I've been a clinical instructor. I finished EC's MS program in nursing education a couple of years ago. I was recently accepted to the Ph.D. program at a state university.

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Cpne (june-14-2009)

Graduated (August-21-2009)

Nclex (October-9-2009)

Started work as a new RN (October-12-2009)

I have decided to enroll in the RN-BSN program at Excelsior in January 2010!:D

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Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
I might as well list my name here too.... I graduated from Excelsior in March 2008 after 11 years as an LPN. Finished the program in 12 months. I am planning to enroll in the Chamberlain College of Nursing next month for my BSN since I can finish there in two semesters. I work in a Psych clinic in a VA which is where I wanted to be!

Bonnie

Where did u go for your clinical test? Is it done with Excelsior? I think its a potential rip off and a major risk to go to excelsior. You don't know whether or not you will fail your clinical....even if you do study.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
Where did u go for your clinical test? Is it done with Excelsior? I think its a potential rip off and a major risk to go to excelsior. You don't know whether or not you will fail your clinical....even if you do study.

Speak for yourself, EC is not a rip off. I along with several others on here are living testimony that you can earn a legitimate RN degree. People rip themselves off when they go into the program blindfolded without checking to see if the school is accepted in their state and if its truly the right fit for them. The clinicals are done in REAL hospitals in NY,PA,GA,WI and TX. If you study the studyguide, know your head to toe assessments and clinical skills, most will pass. If they don't, its usually because they let their nerves get the best of them.

I am glad I did EC. I am now work in a Level 1 Trauma Hospital with over 800 beds. Not bad for someone who dedicated their time and effort to complete the program in 1 yr. EC is definetly real. No complaints here.

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Specializes in nursing education.

I completed my degree with Excelsior (regents) back in 1994. Back then we had no real prep for the clinical weekend. We were sent a notebook and yold to memorize it. I did... I passed my clinical weekend first time through. The pass rate back then for clinical was 75%. I had been an LVN for over 5 years. I felt confident in m,y clinical skills, but that was the hardest weekend I have ever been through. They really put us thorugh the wringer. You had to know your skills. I DO NOT feel it was a rip off! It was tough but I am glad I did it. I am now currently enrolled in a MSN program. I feel well prepared.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

why do you feel it is a rip off ?

where did u go for your clinical test? is it done with excelsior? i think its a potential rip off and a major risk to go to excelsior. you don't know whether or not you will fail your clinical....even if you do study.
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Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
Speak for yourself, EC is not a rip off. I along with several others on here are living testimony that you can earn a legitimate RN degree. People rip themselves off when they go into the program blindfolded without checking to see if the school is accepted in their state and if its truly the right fit for them. The clinicals are done in REAL hospitals in NY,PA,GA,WI and TX. If you study the studyguide, know your head to toe assessments and clinical skills, most will pass. If they don't, its usually because they let their nerves get the best of them.

I am glad I did EC. I am now work in a Level 1 Trauma Hospital with over 800 beds. Not bad for someone who dedicated their time and effort to complete the program in 1 yr. EC is definetly real. No complaints here.

Its scary though knowing you only have 2 chances and have to pay 2000.00 to do them. I appluad those that made it but it may not be worth it once the money is spent and you are out.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

That individual who says Excelsior is a rip off has only read about other disgruntled students who have failed the CPNE. Every school has their risks of students not passing clinicals. Going to a traditional school will not guarantee that you will pass or even have a fair instructor. Excelsior has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was able to finish the whole program in less than a year, the cost and overall stress was well worth it! If I had listened to the negative comments about Excelsior I would still be on a waiting list at a tech college and dealing with the stupid petitions and HESI exams before I even start a class!

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Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
That individual who says Excelsior is a rip off has only read about other disgruntled students who have failed the CPNE. Every school has their risks of students not passing clinicals. Going to a traditional school will not guarantee that you will pass or even have a fair instructor. Excelsior has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was able to finish the whole program in less than a year, the cost and overall stress was well worth it! If I had listened to the negative comments about Excelsior I would still be on a waiting list at a tech college and dealing with the stupid petitions and HESI exams before I even start a class!

I didnt say it was a rip off...i said potential rip off. I read everyones story. Glad you made it though. I still dont know what i will do.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Its scary though knowing you only have 2 chances and have to pay 2000.00 to do them. I appluad those that made it but it may not be worth it once the money is spent and you are out.

Actually, you have 3 chances. But yes, I see what you mean about the risky nature of the CPNE. How many excellent EC grads do I know that needed a second try? Quite a few, I'll tell ya. I was lucky enough to pass on the first try. Does it mean I'm a better nurse than those who failed the first, second, or even third tries? Nope, not at all. It is what it is. :)

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

just like any nursing school...you go in prepared and know what you are doing ...you will pass....go in on your experience or know it all behavior...be prepared to repeat x3.....still cheaper than a lot of nursing schools in the end...

its scary though knowing you only have 2 chances and have to pay 2000.00 to do them. i appluad those that made it but it may not be worth it once the money is spent and you are out.
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Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
Actually, you have 3 chances. But yes, I see what you mean about the risky nature of the CPNE. How many excellent EC grads do I know that needed a second try? Quite a few, I'll tell ya. I was lucky enough to pass on the first try. Does it mean I'm a better nurse than those who failed the first, second, or even third tries? Nope, not at all. It is what it is. :)

I may end up choosing EC. Who knows. I will call them tomorrow. Thank you for your response.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I may end up choosing EC. Who knows. I will call them tomorrow. Thank you for your response.

You have to go in with a made up mind. I aint gonna lie, I almost didn't do EC because of the CPNE. Its scary but once I learned about what they wanted us to do. I felt it was something that I could actually do with alot of prayer and practice.

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