Excelsior questions :)

chosenchocolate · Jan 23, 2007

I agree with ancientcity. I am currently awaiting a return test date for CPNE, if U can endure Cpne u r one tough cookie. To benefit from EC u must be a self learner and highly motivated to finish within reasonable time. You must also be willing to seek assistance on your own for cpne perhaps a workshop. Unlike a traditional school, EC does not teach you. For the most part EC will accept general ed courses but will not accept any nursing courses outside of theirs.

HotmaleSPN · Feb 9, 2007

Mudwoman, do you still have the study guides? If they are not too far out of date I may be interested in purchasing them from you. thanks

FEELYRN · Apr 8, 2007

Anyone wanting specifics on Excelsior can PM me any time.

Mudwoman · Apr 11, 2007

For those of you who are in or went through the Excelsior RN program I have a few questions.
Do your transcripts from prior schooling play a big role in acceptance into the program? Do you need prior experience in the field as an LPN before enrolling or can you go straight from PN graduation?
How are you RN clinicals different from those in your LPN program? I heard the instructors were more strict about observing you than helping and teaching you while in clinical. Was it organized? Did you feel it was thorough?
I know some people who are ignorant about the work it takes to get through the program. Has it affected you in any way in terms of getting a job? As far as I know, if you pass your boards then you have proved you are a competant RN. I just want to know if any employers had ever looked down upon your schooling as "oh internet school is unsafe".
Hope someone out there can answer these for me and I apologize if these questions have been answered already. Thanks in advance!!!

I just graduated from Excelsior.

Excelsior takes anyone that qualifies into their RN program. This would include LPN/LVNs, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and students that have completed over half of a RN program.

Excelsior only counts general education credits with a grade of "C" or better.

Excelsior doesn't have "clinicals". They have a clinical performance exam that must be completed before you graduate and you must have at least 21 of the 31 required general education credits completed and all of the Nursing Concept exams completed before applying for the exam. There is a 4-9 month waiting period depending on which hospital you wish to test at. This test is for 3 days in certain participating hospitals in the US. Excelsior provides a list of participating hospitals with your application. EC exams range from $190 to $265 each and if you want to take the practice exams which are worth every penny, you will spend an additional $60 for each exam. There are recommended texts that you can buy used on amazon and ebay or use your old school texts. The CPNE is $1725 and having gone through this exam and passed, I highly recommend that you take a workshop for that exam for $745 and the online care plan workshop for $265. Also add transportation costs, white uniforms, and hotel costs for the CPNE.

I am still waiting for all the paperwork to be processed and my temp RN license from my state BON and letter to take NCLEX. One of the nursing instructors at the local college is an EC grad. I don't anticipate any problems finding a job.

Mudwoman · Apr 11, 2007

Mudwoman, do you still have the study guides? If they are not too far out of date I may be interested in purchasing them from you. thanks

Already sold my TCN study guides. Excelsior provides free ones once you have enrolled.

lawsonnic · Apr 14, 2007

I used the college Network study guides and I am now an RN, so they do work. I found that reading the whole guide was a waste of time for me. I studied the questions at the end of the chapters and the end of the book. good luck. Just remember it is doable. YOu have to stay focused and it has to be a priority in your life to get through it.

joymm24808 · Apr 26, 2007

I am also considering this program anybody from wv:monkeydance:

petra · May 2, 2007

Thanks for all the info. Sounds as if everyone really like Excelsior. I'm thinking about finishing my RN thru them. Have my LPN and done alot of gen eds already. only need the phys and patho, also the clinicals and "theory" classes so maybe some of what I've already done could transfer over.

How much does it cost though? Are the exams comparable or extremely tough?

thank you all very much.

petra · May 2, 2007

Thanks for all the info. Sounds as if everyone really like Excelsior. I'm thinking about finishing my RN thru them. Have my LPN and done alot of gen eds already. only need the phys and patho, also the clinicals and "theory" classes so maybe some of what I've already done could transfer over.

How much does it cost though? Are the exams comparable or extremely tough?

thank you all very much.

success1 · May 2, 2007

Hello Everyone! Im a new student nurse this is my first time on all nursees. I would like to know what is excelsior program?

lark50 · May 12, 2007

I'm concerned about the CPNE, even though I've been in nursung for a long time and have had many experiences. How severe is it? thanks

lawsonnic · May 12, 2007

I had been an LPN for fourteen years and I failed my first CPNE and passed the second time with no repeats. Stress and nerves got me. You have to be able to deal with and control the anxiety level.

The CPNE must be passed with 100%. If you miss any of the critical elements they will fail you. But it is doable.