Excelsior ... Next Steps ... Advice Please ... ?

[jasmine7]

Hello everyone!

I am an LPN and am looking towards getting my ASN/RN with Excelsior. I have requested the package from them and am awaiting for it to arrive. I received some information from the College Network, but I understand that they are just selling me study guides at a premium so I have elected to try to do this without them. That being said, what are my next steps? Does EC provide me everything I need to get started? Will they sell me the text books I need and provide me with criteria needed for passing their exams? I plan to take some General Courses with them and would hope that they would provide something like, "Know these topics for the Exam" rather than just having to read a text-book cover to cover and blindly taking an exam without knowing what to focus on. Also, I understand that there is a lot of self-motivation involved in a program like this, but I was hoping they would at least provide a roadmap?

How long do the exams usually take? Are they done on-line or mail-in?

Any advice that anyone has on my next steps would be greatly appreciated.

My long term goal would be to pursue either a ASN/RN -> BSN or MSN track.

Thank you everyone in advance.

[pedinurse05]

There really is no need to sign with a publishing company. Follow the free content guide. You can buy books and used material from half.com and ebay. The entire EC program is really not that difficult if you can stay motivated. I tested once a month with EC and took full time classes at a regular college. The CPNE is so extremely basic....but you must prepare appropriately.

[jksapphire]

why not do all your pre-requisites through your local community college? mine offers all those online, and they're cheap since i'm in state. that leaves you with 7 exams, and the cpne.

Unfortunately, our local community college does not offer much online and their classes are more involved and I would have to take lab with A & P and Microbiology - two extra classes and I would have to attend classes at THEIR convenience. The College Network seems the way to go for me.

My problem is finding funding. I recently lost my job and my new one may not start 'til June 10 - it's with VA Hospital and the government doesn't do things quickly. I don't want to commit to a loan thru their credit union just yet. I was hoping to find some scholarships or student loans that don't have to be repaid 'til after graduation. Unfortunately, neither The College Network or EC qualify, as they are not Title IV schools.

I've looked online at 2-3 online scholarship offerings, but most want you in a Title IV school. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,

[MedictoRN]

The only people's numbers I would trust is Excelsior, the rest are trying to sell you on something.

I visited with a rep from The College Network and to go from LPN to RN, it would cost $10,955 thru The College Network. Excelsior college is now charging $250/credit hour and for the 46 credit hours I need, tuition alone would be $11,500, plus books, enrollment fee, clinical fee, info literacy course and graduation fee, which are included in the $10,955 from The College Network.

This seems confusing that it would cost so much less thru The College Network.

Can anyone help me? Am I missing something thru The College Network?

Thanks

[traumahawk99]

exactly as medictorn said.

i'd also like to point out the value of clep exams as well. i clepped psych and sociology for a pittance. that's a resource to consider.

i wouldn't give the college network a cent.

[pedinurse05]

Different strokes for different folks. If you feel the college network is the way to go for you, then you may be right. Many people have used publishing companies and have completed the program. I think the problem here on these boards is some individuals can't accept other opinions or deviations from their way of thinking. You do what is best suited for you.

[deej]

I visited with a rep from The College Network and to go from LPN to RN, it would cost $10,955 thru The College Network. Excelsior college is now charging $250/credit hour and for the 46 credit hours I need, tuition alone would be $11,500, plus books, enrollment fee, clinical fee, info literacy course and graduation fee, which are included in the $10,955 from The College Network.

This seems confusing that it would cost so much less thru The College Network.

Can anyone help me? Am I missing something thru The College Network?

Thanks

There is only ONE course you have to take from Excelsior that is $250/credit hour, and it's only ONE hour (for a total of $250), and you can waive it with previous coursework or probably use a CLEP exam to get out of it (the information literacy requirement). It wasn't required when I enrolled in EC, so I don't know all the details on it.

The rest of the courses aren't charged on a per-credit basis, but rather on a per-EXAM basis. The seven required Nursing Concepts exams are each worth 4 credits and cost $215, for a cost per credit of $53.75. A&P and the rest can be taken from a community college; personally, I took A&P, micro, patho, and a bunch of other exams from EC (example: the A&P exam is 6 credits for $255 - $42.50/credit.) I had my English, history, psych, and other liberal arts credits already in hand from a CC. I was able to use all of my Excelsior credits toward a BS degree from another school, as well.

There are some fixed costs from Excelsior: $895 enrollment fee, $450 annual fee, $490 graduation fee, $1625 CPNE fee. Those aren't due all at once, so you can budget for them. (All these numbers are current from EC's website; log into the publications request area and find the "How much will your associate degree in nursing cost" PDF file.)

Excelsior isn't Title IV approved, so you can't use GUARANTEED federal loans. You can get non-federal student loans with a slightly higher interest rate. EC has information or google "Plato loan" or "Private student loan." They also have payment plans to spread out the fixed costs.

For the vast majority of my NC exams, I used the previous editions of the textbooks, which are generally available for little more than the cost of shipping. You don't need the 6th edition of a book for $100 when you can get the 5th edition on half.com for $5. The study guides are FREE on EC's website.

[traumahawk99]

i did the information literacy requirement at my community college. it cost me $75 if my memory is correct. it was a weekend course. largely a waste of time if you've got half a brain but it's required at every school these days.

the point is you need to see what resources are available to you. i think you'll find some community college in your state has online classes, and it's cheap per credit hour. i did atanomy 1 &2 as well as microbiology, plus all the labs online.

[hondagirl]

Hi Rehab Nurse,

I have just joined Allnurses.com and am just beginning to take the first test through Excelsior. Any wisdom or encouragement you can give would so greatly be appreciated. I am motivated and a quick learner and am hoping to finish before Dec 2007 due to restrictions of not being able to be endorsed by MD. Either way, this is the way for me and my family. Thanks a bunch, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[caliotter3]

Hondagirl:

I read your post on this thread and another thread this morning concerning req to finish by Dec 07. Better get cracking! It is easy to get your credits transferred in and complete the 7 NC tests if you push yourself. However, when you get ready to take the CPNE it takes weeks to months to get scheduled for the test. Research some of the threads. One of the pointers I read somewhere, I believe it may have been from Eric Enfermerero, is when you register for the CPNE, be ready, willing, and able to take any cancellation date at any of the test centers. Call them frequently to ask if there are any cancellations and be ready to go at a moment's notice. And, of course, pray that you can get ready for, and pass the test on first try. If you miss the Dec 07 deadline for MD do not despair. You can take the NCLEX in any state and will be eligible (unless the rules have changed) to work for the VA. Good luck.

[hondagirl]

Thank you. I have already put it in my head not to despair. I can always work in WV right across the line. I totally believe that God can get us through anything as long as we trust in him. I will look through the threads in regards to the clinicals. Is there anything like a video or something to help prepare us for the unknown ahead of time?

Thanks again!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I just bought the textbooks and put stickies in for the chapters for the test for which I'm studying. I schedule an exam - that's the trick for me. If I don't schedule the test I don't study. I do the reading. I take the practice test for $60. If I'm not ready I reschedule with PearsonVue. Then I take the test. Takes me five solid days of reading and then a week of review generally.

You don't need anything other than Excelsior's study guide and the books.

[crowfan1]

I have been with excelsior for the past year, with one to go...they have been wonderful! They will send you everything you need, even Content Guides for all the exams...I wish I had known that when I enrolled, I am using RUE for the materials, and I think it is just an added expense.

It takes me about 3 months to study each section, what with working full time and having a family. When you are ready for an exam you register with the college and they send you an 'authorization' to test form, and then you can just get online and schedule exams.

I am in Colorado, and was unable to schedule the computer exams when they stopped using the older system, but I still schedule close to home doing a paper and pencil type. The web site is wonderful and every time I write I get a quick response.

Good Luck!!!