Excelsior, LPN school, or WHAT!!!!

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I'm extremely impressed with Excelsior RN program. Presently I'd like to obtain an LPN licensure. However, with Excelsior's wonderful distant learning program I would not be eligible for admission if I obtained an LPN licensure.

I don't know whether to attend LPN school and sit out the looooong CC competitive LPN-RN bridge program OR seek licensure in an another healthcare career (eligibile for Excelsior admission plus a specialty) and seek RN admission to Excelsior. I'm in my early 40's with a M.Ed. and I really don't want to waste time. All advice is greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i don't understand this...a lot of lvn/pn's attend excelsior and transition to the asn role. including me....

however, with excelsior's wonderful distant learning program i would not be eligible for admission if i obtained an lpn licensure.

.

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I read an "update to admission policy" for Excelsior indicating "we will no longer accept LPN licensure...". Let me double check because I hope I truly misread it.

Thank you so very much for responding very quickly. I really appreciate it.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

here is the admission policy right off the ec website...i have been a student for over a year and i am about to complete this program...if they did not accept lvn's anymore someone would be picking me up off the floor.....

associate degree programs

admission to our associate degree nursing programs is open to:

  • licensed practical/vocational nurses,
  • paramedics,
  • military service corpsmen,
  • individuals who hold degrees in clinically oriented health care fields in which they have had the opportunity to provide direct patient care (e.g., physicians, respiratory therapists, and physician assistants).

also, individuals who have successfully completed at least 50 percent of the clinical nursing credit hours in an associate, baccalaureate, or rn diploma nursing program may be eligible for the program if they apply within 5 years of completing their last nursing course. the necessary documentation, such as copies of licenses, certificates, and official transcripts must be submitted with the admissions application.

the undergraduate application for admission (online and pdf) identifies required supporting documentation required for admission by each category of applicant as well as additional admissions criteria.

https://www.excelsior.edu/excelsior_college/school_of_nursing/school_of_nursing_admission_policy

i read an "update to admission policy" for excelsior indicating "we will no longer accept lpn licensure...". let me double check because i hope i truly misread it.

thank you so very much for responding very quickly. i really appreciate it.

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Ok...I mis read the information. I'm exhaused (child stayed home from school due to 1 degree weather...what a day) and I need not try to do research, put a child to bed, wash dishes, etc. I apologize for the inconvenience I may have caused you. See, this is why I need an online class single mommy plus education = online/distant learning. I can study when my child is asleep.

Now that I KNOW I can attend LPN school and Excelsior I feel so much better. I obtained my M.Ed. online and I really enjoy self-pace, distant learning and online courses. I pretty much researched the threads on how Excelsior program works. Would you tell me the estimate on tuition/costs? Thanks again.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

not a problem ..good to know this can be a option for you. i am a professional student as well having all of my degrees from a distance learning fashion... ec has changed since i first started they have added one more theory test to the bunch and now i think there is 8 test all together. if you are a lvn then you can skip test 2.. i do not know what the test are called now they used to just be concept test 1-7....

i am pretty sure the theory test are $210 a piece and since you have a advanced degree i am sure all of your pre- courses will be satisfied. however the only way to know that is to have them evaluated by ec and i would not do that until i was ready to admit... i had to take a information literacy course but i think you are exempt because of your advanced degree (if i'm not mistaken).

ok then you will have the cpne and that is a clinical evaluation at the end of your theory courses that last 2.5 days...you are expected to preform as a first day rn and the cost of this exam is $1900 plus travel expenses...the initlal fee is something like $895 but you can pay that and the cpne out in payments. they also have scholarship opportunities ..i got one for $750 and it paid for 3 test... another thing is you can take the first 2 test without officially enrolling (paying the $895) ..here is my break down with all classes complete...

i had to pay $235 for my exams..

$235 x 6= $1410

cpne = 1900

information literacy - $300

start up fee - $895

thats a total of = $4505 so far but that is the bulk...i have spent plenty more on study guides and workshops in prep for the cpne......

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Go here: https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/Publications_Before_Login

Download "How much will your Excelsior College Associate Degree in Nursing cost?" as well as the "School of Nursing Viewbook."

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I'm a single mom, work as an LPN and am doing EC. I also did time at a traditional RN school. I got a better education at the Vo-Tech for LPN and EC is way better than traditional RN school. And much cheaper, too! You can download the content guides for free, study and pay when you are ready to take the tests. If you do EC as soon as you get your LPN licence, you will whip thru the program.

I pay the tuition and for the exams in payment plans. That way, it doesn't break you. Good luck and welcome!

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txspadequeen921, LunahRN, and debanam,

THANK YOU all so very much for your advice and sharing your experiences, at Excelsior, with me. As I mentioned before, I LOVE online/distant learning because it grants me an opportunity to receive a quality education and spend quality time with my family.

I've made up my mind to attend Excelsior by next summer when I complete the LPN program here in IL. I am aware that I will NOT be licensed as an RN in IL until I complete 2 years in another state if I attend Excelsior. I plan on moving to a warmer climate anyway. -2 degree weather is too much for me. I'm tired of 7-8 months of cold weather. Enough of my ranting.

I'm so excited to get started with the LPN program and then on to Excelsior. I know I must want this because I attended two colleges simultaneously (completing two classes in grad. school online and CC Chemistry) and managed to do well. I hear nursing school is no joke.....I'm glad I'm an advid reader and researcher. I'm praying I do well because I'm prepared to give nursing school my all.

Best wishes and many blessings to you all.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Teacher08,

If you are stuck in Illinois for longer than you anticipate, you can always get licensed in another state (like Minnesota) and work in a federal facility in Illinois to get your time in for IL state licensure, and then you can work anywhere you want in IL. The feds don't care what state you're licensed in. :)

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applescruffette,

Thanks for the information! I will most definitely consider the possiblity of working in a federal facility in IL while licensed in another state. This is such a wonderful forum. You all have been so helpful. I greatly appreciate your prompt and honest replies.

So the goal is as follow:

1. LPN - Northwestern Institute of Health and Technology - 2010

2. NCLEX- LPN in IL

3. Work as LPN in IL

4. Excelsior College - RN by 2011-20012

5. NCLEX - RN in different state

6. Work as RN (ex: Licensed in MN) at IL federal facility for 2 years

7. MSN thereafter

That's it! Sounds like a winner too me. It looks easy on paper and helps to keep you focus when its written down. Once again, thank you all.

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I'm a single mom, work as an LPN and am doing EC. I also did time at a traditional RN school. I got a better education at the Vo-Tech for LPN and EC is way better than traditional RN school. And much cheaper, too! You can download the content guides for free, study and pay when you are ready to take the tests. If you do EC as soon as you get your LPN licence, you will whip thru the program.

I pay the tuition and for the exams in payment plans. That way, it doesn't break you. Good luck and welcome!

I keep hearing that you will zip through this program if you start right when you get your LPN license and I just find it SO encouraging! I feel positive again :D. I come from an AWFUL program. That year of my life was just a disappointment. I am looking to enter the EC ADN program as a newbie LPN graduate...I'll be less than 3 months out of Nursing school.

Here's what scares me a tad:

1) My education, I feel, was sub par. Clinical rotations were VERY basic and many of them were spent in a classroom with dummies and not enough supplies.

2) I have NEVER worked in Health Care.

3) I don't plan on using my nursing license, to work, as I finish at EC, so I'm afraid I really won't know how to deal with patients at ALL.

4) Pretty much 1-3 summed up. I feel I'll end up at the CPNE, with that being the first time I EVER really deal with a patient or that kind of environment and I feel as though I'm setting myself up for failure :(.

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