Excelsior...I want to do it...but I need someone to explain it!

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 25, 2008

I didn't see if you said where you are from, but you have to make sure that Excelsior is accepted by your Board of Nursing.

Anyway, books are not included in the price. You may purchase what they recommend or use an eclectic mix like I do. You won't have the niceness of knowing which chapter is exactly what they want you to study, but it is generally not difficult to find a chapter on cancer to read in any med-surg text. I'd say if your books are part of an LPN program that is a ladder-type program to RN, just use the books you have.

The price you pay is only for registering for the test, just like the price you will pay for your LPN boards will only be for the LPN boards--no study materials or anything else. You may pay extra for the Excelsior College practice exams that you can take online after you register for courses (and I recommend that you do that--it narrows down your study a lot). EC also offers nursing concepts study sessions in 8-week periods that some people find helpful as well, but those cost extra. (I don't do them.)

You may take a nursing concepts exam before you enroll(I forget what it's called now, but it's the equivalent of NC1), but most of your nursing tests will have to come after you enroll, which entails an enrollment fee of $800 or so (I forget the exact price), which includes your enrollment for a year and access to registering for all the NC exams.

There's a little bit of info--there's plenty more that you will find out, like about the dreaded CPNE! Good luck!

I am graduating with my LPN in October of '08 and I am want to go right on after I sit for the NCLEX-PN and get my RN while I am still in the habbit or studying. I have called Excelsior a couple of time and have found the customer service reps to be unhelpful and not really being able to give any direct answers to any questions! I got the class paperwork that they sent me but I am still confused. Are books included in the price? Can someone please explain to me how it works...please?! I am just really confused. Thank you soooo much in advance for the replies.

TraciRN · Apr 27, 2008

I graduated LVN(Texas) School in May 07 and am now done with everything except the CPNE (applied Jan 08).

I found being fresh out of school helped. Do take all classes you can before you pay the enrollment fee this will save you $ Good luck

Traci

Garvey · Apr 27, 2008

Hey Traci,

I see that you said you grad in may and was done with all your classes you had to take for EC by jan08 what classes did you have to take? How did you go by preping yourself for the exam? Did you by all the books for the exams and practice test? Did you also use your books from lvn? Thank you -Garvey

Melinurse · Apr 27, 2008

Price 2002, EC is definately for the self-motivated, self-driven, resourceful nurse/student. You do not get much direction from the college. Best way to get info is online through their message system off the MyEC page. But you have to be patient as some questions take longer to get a response. Good program for those who cannot go the traditional route. Watch out for hidden fees though. Such as a $ 450 a year fee just to be s student. Or all the filing fees etc. They are just like any other college as far as finding ways to " nickle and dime you". My overall experience was great though. I learned far more than I would have otherwise. I learned to be an independent thinker, to be resourceful, to be creative, these are skills that make the difference between a good nurse and a great nurse.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 27, 2008

Watch out for hidden fees though. Such as a $ 450 a year fee just to be s student.

I wouldn't call the $440 annual student services fee a "hidden" fee at all ... their fee schedule is all spelled out in the publication that's called something like "How Much Will It Cost for My ADN." They're very forthcoming with costs. Does that mean I enjoy paying all that $$$? Heck no.

To the original poster: definitely download the nursing viewbook and all the nursing program publications from EC and read them so that there won't be any surprises. :)

Melinurse · Apr 28, 2008

About a week after my CPNE I got a "bill" for my annual student fees. I had not gotten one at all this year. I figured since I was not taking any classes and it was not my fault I had to wait for the CPNE and since they had not billed me previously, well, I was suprised to get a bill. This bill is for $550. Before I was merely refering to what a student and a couple of co-workers here termed Hidden fees or extra costs that just plain come with college attendance. These costs are with every college but just wanted people to look into it and go in with eyes opened. Lunah is right in that the fees are in a book you get from EC, just make sure you read it well and are prepared for them.:wink2: