Excelsior...how long did it take you

Alicia721 · Apr 22, 2008

More questions!
How long did it take you to complete each exam?
How long did you personally wait for your CPNE? The college is saying 6-8 months wait time...is this still accurate?
The college says that the program takes 2 years; is this true? AND why so long? I've completed all my pre-reqs so I won't have to deal with them...just the nursing classes.
Is it hard to find a preceptor once you finish (this is necessary for Washington state).
Thanks so much!
Steph

It all depends on the person. Some may take a month or 2 to finsih all exams and some may take 6-8 weeks to complete a exam.

I think excelsior averages the the study time for each exam about 6-8 weeks for each exam if you multiply that by 7 or 8 exams its about 42-56 weeks to complete all the exams. (about a year).

Then The CPNE is about 6-8 month wait now they are saying 7-9mo. (almost another year)

It took me about a month for each exam. Like I said before it all depends on the person. I've heard someone took all 7 exams in a week.

Hope this helps.

akanini, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2008

To the OP. I strongly suggest you knock out your exams fast. You hve already done your pre-reqs which is a huge PLUS!! Take those exams and don't waste time. People have been taking cancellation dates for CPNE and EC is trying to pick up the pace. Go for it. You can finish in less than a year with determination. BLESSINGS!

caliotter3 · Apr 23, 2008

You've done a good thing by getting the gen ed classes out of the way. I also urge you to get the nrsg exams out of the way as soon as possible, in order to allow yourself maximum time to prepare for the CPNE. Don't be like me. I had things interfere with my progress and now I have less than a year to get the CPNE accomplished. I won't have any more time in case I fail the first time. You don't think that it will take you seven years but it is very easy to put it aside and let things slide and there you are. If I don't pass the CPNE on my first try I am out of luck. So, don't procrastinate!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 23, 2008

I did the nursing exams (all 7 under the old curriculum) between May 14, 2007 and October 17, 2007. I applied for my CPNE on November 6, 2007, received my CPNE date on April 4, 2008, and I'll be at the CPNE on June 13th. :)

stephieannie · Apr 23, 2008

Thank you all for the replies! I really appreciate it.

When I called excelsior this week it was an awful call. The rep I talked with was far from helpful. She would not offer any information I had to ask all the questions and then she was only giving one word answers so I had to ask her to elaborate more A LOT. I take it customer service is not a strong point with the college?

She went on to tell me that there was not really any way, regardless or pre-reqs, I could complete the course in less than 18 months and then it is usually closer to 2 years anyhow. This was discouraging!

akanini, MSN, RN · Apr 23, 2008

Try speaking to someone else. That is very discouraging and I hope false. People on this board have finished faster than that.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2008

i don't know who you talked to but they are miss informed. many people including myself complete the theory in record time. i started mine in late august and was done by the first part of january. i could have been done faster but i also am completing my bachelors in gov/soc and take full loads in the long semesters...the longest part of the time frame is waiting on a date for the cpne... back before the wait was so long i know someone who did it in less than 6 months. call and talk to someone else but i guarentee you it can be done faster than 18 months.

thank you all for the replies! i really appreciate it.
when i called excelsior this week it was an awful call. the rep i talked with was far from helpful. she would not offer any information i had to ask all the questions and then she was only giving one word answers so i had to ask her to elaborate more a lot. i take it customer service is not a strong point with the college?
she went on to tell me that there was not really any way, regardless or pre-reqs, i could complete the course in less than 18 months and then it is usually closer to 2 years anyhow. this was discouraging!

Garvey · Apr 27, 2008

Hey Lunah,

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? Could you list in order of hardest nursing classes so I can have an ideal I like to get the difficult one ova wid 1st Thank you -Garvey

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 27, 2008

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? Could you list in order of hardest nursing classes so I can have an ideal I like to get the difficult one ova wid 1st Thank you -Garvey

First, I'm not an LVN, or an LPN -- I'm a Paramedic. However, I was able to use some of my books from medic school -- my A&P and pathophysiology books were a huge help.

I took the following exams (and this is the order in which I test): A&P, Nursing Concepts 1, Nursing Concepts 2, Nursing Concepts 3, Nursing Concepts 4, Nursing Concepts 7, Nursing Concepts 5, Nursing Concepts 6, Human Growth & Development (CLEP test, taken to cover the Lifespan Developmental Psych requirement), Introductory Sociology (CLEP test, taken to cover sociology requirement), and Microbiology.

The nursing exams are no longer called "nursing concepts," but they're still very similar exams.

To study, I purchased Chancellor's guides from eBay; I've since re-sold them there. I also have the recommended Fundamentals of Nursing book, then some other books for Med-Surg and Maternal-Neonatal (those were the "Made Incredibly Easy" books). Like I said, I also had my pathophysiology book from medic school, which was helpful.

As far as ranking them by difficulty, I really can't do that -- we all have different strengths as far as experience goes. What I thought was easy might be difficult for others.

degraypoole · Apr 28, 2008

I am new to "Allnurses.com". I see much discussion about the "Excelsior College". So I looked at their website. Still confused as to whether or not they offer LVN/LPN or RN programs on line. If so, where would you do the clinical part of the program if out of state? I am in Dallas, TX. Excuse me for presenting a stupid Q. I know it will be to some.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2008

It took mr a year to do 3 then I banged out the last 4 in three months.