Excelsior Pass Rates!!!

Dave_In_Florida, ADN, LPN, RN · Aug 20, 2017

If you decide to appeal, please use a spell-check program. "imotianal"?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 20, 2017

I agree with Pixie.RN. If they still allow you 2 1/2 hours to complete a PCS, you should not have been rushed. It was up to the CE to stop the clock if the patient had to go somewhere, and restart it upon the patient's return.

RHope · Aug 20, 2017

I'm so sorry that you were not successful with the CPNE. I do remember that you must chart every assessment finding that you assess according to the critical elements, even if it is not an assigned assessment or area of care. So if it was not assigned or it didn't have to be done, I didn't do it. But pain and a rigid abdomen must be addressed and all the critical elements for those assessments must be documented according to the critical elements. Documentation definitely was my weak spot and I realized that long before I took the CPNE. Excelsior faculty from the documentation online conference I took and Sherri Taylor mentored me on my documentation for months before the exam. Back then Excelsior had the electronic peer network where you could view other students experiences and get real world advice about the CPNE. One of the things that stuck with me about documentation is that you must document things Excelsior's way during the CPNE. I performed a PCS perfectly and still failed that patient because I forgot to label a dressing with the date, time, and my initials. I was an LPN and that was not the way we did it in the real world. I wanted to give up. But I retook that adult PCS and was successful. I passed the retake on the IV push station. Failed the pediatric PCS, just totally falling apart. I had to seriously regroup and basically thought I would be taking the CPNE again. Soon as I let go, I was able to focus much better and passed the repeat pediatric PCS. Passed the CPNE on the first try by the skin of my teeth and I knew the critical elements with its rules. I always retraced my steps and tried to find out where I went wrong, learn from my mistakes, and not repeat them. I did not give up. I fought for what I wanted. I fought mainly against my own doubts and fears within myself. Even if you decide to go to another school, please don't give up on your dream. I do agree with some of the things you were saying about their clinical testing and the set up of the program. I don't really encourage people to go to Excelsior. I don't really encourage nursing at all now and that has nothing to do with Excelsior. That's another story. On that note, I will leave you with this, "If nursing is still what you want, you can do it." But if you no longer want to, don't lose any sleep over it. You can do better.

RHope · Aug 21, 2017

I also agree that if they still allow you 2 1/2 hours to complete a PCS, you should not have been rushed. It was up to the CE to stop the clock if the patient had to go somewhere, and restart it upon the patient's return.

RHope · Aug 21, 2017

You really should consider appealing now before anymore time passes.

Entrec · Mar 2, 2018

Hi I am an lvn looking into the lvn-rn program any advice would be appreciated. I know that cpne wait time is 12 months right now...so is it 7 exams and the final cpne and nclex? I do not have lvn experience so I would like to know what I should focus on in cpne.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 2, 2018

Hi I am an lvn looking into the lvn-rn program any advice would be appreciated. I know that cpne wait time is 12 months right now...so is it 7 exams and the final cpne and nclex? I do not have lvn experience so I would like to know what I should focus on in cpne.

Work experience before and during the program is required for admission and continuation as a student with signed verification from an employer. The nursing school has a catalog available for download at excelsior.edu that fully explains the ADN program and all required courses.

Chirogyro · Mar 5, 2018

I am a DC and, due to a number of opportunities that have become available to me, am embarking on a course to become an NP. I looked into Excelsior via MidAmerica Learning and, for a while, was going to go that way. That is, until I learned of 1) several issues with Excelsior and state licensing and 2) the CPNE.

#1 was something that was a major red flag to me.

#2 The CPNE had several flaws. 1) It is a non-standardized test that ONLY Excelsior has, 2) the ability to schedule the test in a reasonable period of time is of great question, 3) the pass rate for the test is of issue.

For a test of this caliber to be non-standardized AND cost this much is ridiculous. The inconsistencies I have read about regarding the structure and execution of this test make it extremely subjective in an unrealistic environment. I was quoted (by Excelsior!) that it takes up to 14 MONTHS after requesting this exam to get scheduled, and that you are not allowed to request the exam until ALL requirements have been met and finalized. That means I'm sitting on my thumbs for about a year -- waiting, forgetting, stressing, paying the college (yes, you still have to pay while you are waiting) for a test which, after all is said and done, will cost about $3k. With the pass rate, it is equally likely that I will have to take the exam more than once, introducing ANOTHER delay, more maintenance fees to the school and ANOTHER $3k.

I realize that there are those that have made it through in one pass. Likely I would as well considering past experience/GPA with chiropractic school and clinical/board exams. But the forecasted delay along with all the other issues with Excel just made me rethink my choices -- I am going with a pre-licensure program at Western Governor's. The end result is that I will likely finish more quickly.

-Michael Dow, D.C.

caliotter3 · Mar 5, 2018

I am a DC and, due to a number of opportunities that have become available to me, am embarking on a course to become an NP. I looked into Excelsior via MidAmerica Learning and, for a while, was going to go that way. That is, until I learned of 1) several issues with Excelsior and state licensing and 2) the CPNE.
#1 was something that was a major red flag to me.
#2 The CPNE had several flaws. 1) It is a non-standardized test that ONLY Excelsior has, 2) the ability to schedule the test in a reasonable period of time is of great question, 3) the pass rate for the test is of issue.
For a test of this caliber to be non-standardized AND cost this much is ridiculous. The inconsistencies I have read about regarding the structure and execution of this test make it extremely subjective in an unrealistic environment. I was quoted (by Excelsior!) that it takes up to 14 MONTHS after requesting this exam to get scheduled, and that you are not allowed to request the exam until ALL requirements have been met and finalized. That means I'm sitting on my thumbs for about a year -- waiting, forgetting, stressing, paying the college (yes, you still have to pay while you are waiting) for a test which, after all is said and done, will cost about $3k. With the pass rate, it is equally likely that I will have to take the exam more than once, introducing ANOTHER delay, more maintenance fees to the school and ANOTHER $3k.
I realize that there are those that have made it through in one pass. Likely I would as well considering past experience/GPA with chiropractic school and clinical/board exams. But the forecasted delay along with all the other issues with Excel just made me rethink my choices -- I am going with a pre-licensure program at Western Governor's. The end result is that I will likely finish more quickly.
-Michael Dow, D.C.

Your analysis of the current situation is quite accurate. Over the years EC has evolved to become more and more of a money-generating venture. There always has to be those who "subjectively" fail, in order to generate more CPNE revenue. Excelsior should be viewed as a last resort.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 6, 2018

Regardless, the current admission requirements allow only LPNs/LVNs, paramedics, and certain classifications of military healthcare providers (Associate Requirements - Excelsior College - excelsior.edu). They stopped accepting anyone else some time ago. Seems like a very roundabout way to FNP - I think the poster's plan for WGU sounds better.

Another thought: Michael, have you looked at direct entry MSN programs? Might be a much shorter route.

Chirogyro · Mar 6, 2018

. Seems like a very roundabout way to FNP - I think the poster's plan for WGU sounds better.
Another thought: Michael, have you looked at direct entry MSN programs? Might be a much shorter route.

Actually I have not looked into that as I didn't even know such an option existed for a chiropractor without a nursing license or nursing degree.

Which ones are you thinking of so that I can research a little?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 6, 2018

Actually I have not looked into that as I didn't even know such an option existed for a chiropractor without a nursing license or nursing degree.
Which ones are you thinking of so that I can research a little?

Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Direct Entry | Graduate Programs | College of Nursing | Marquette University

Clinical Nurse Leader Pre-Licensure Program

Entry Level MSN, MSN in Nursing for Non-Nurses | School of Nursing and Health Professions | University of San Francisco

Those are clinical nurse leader direct entry MSNs, which would be a short hop to NP. Or direct entry MSN programs aimed toward an NP at completion:

Entry Level Nursing - Direct Entry Nursing - Azusa Pacific University

Graduate Entry Option | College of Nursing

Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing Program | MGH Institute of Health Professions

Direct Master’s Entry - Connell School of Nursing - Boston College

Those are just a few. Probably highly competitive, but with your experience, it might be an excellent choice!