Excelsior RN program Questions; how do I do it without College Network?

Nervous1 · Nov 15, 2011

So, I am so glad I found this site because I almost was ready to sign my life away to the college network until I realized I can get the info for the nursing classes for next to nothing compared to what these publishing companies charge. So, I have figured out that I can take the first 2 tests without enrolling at EC ( I am exempt from the 2nd). My question is, how on earth do I take these tests and get the credit without being enrolled at Excelsior? And, Also, I have been very discouraged about taking the CPNE, so anyone with positive experiences with the CPNE, please feel free to reply!
Thanks again!

You can take Health Safety and Transitions prior to enrollment. You will create an account and register for the exams on Excelsior's website. Once registered you will receive and Authorization to Test letter, then you sign up on Pearsonvue's website to schedule your time.

While studying for these exams, go ahead and get the ball rolling with Excelsior on getting your transcripts evaluated so you know what you need to do. Takes about 3-4 weeks. You will need to pay the application fee for this step ($75 unless it went up in July).

Once you get your eval back it will show you what you need in order to complete the program, pre-reqs needed, etc.

Study Material: You have access to the content guides on EC's website for the 2 exams you can take prior to enrollment. Print each one out as its your tool to focus your studying on. It lists line item by line item what you need to know for the exam. It also tells you the chapters to read if you purchase the recommended texts. Search for cheaper versions of the textbooks on ebay, amazon, rent from chegg, etc.

There is also Study Guide 101, available for purchase on ebay or google study guide 101, I'm sure they have a website. These are notes tailored for the exam, very thorough, but should not be your one and only study source.

Lisa Arends has notes for purchase as well on ebay.

Practice exams are a must. They are available for purchase from EC once you register for the exam. They cost $85 and comes with 2 versions of 100 question tests. You will come to love these in the long run.

Taking exams with EC is the same as taking a college course somewhere, you do the work, you get the grade on a transcript. Easy enough. Stay away from College Network please!!!! Its too much money to spend on material that is available via other sources.

As far as CPNE experiences, just search CPNE on this site and you will hear the good and the bad. Once you enroll, you will have access to EPN on the Excelsior Community Boards and students post their Journals there detailing their experiences both good and bad.

txlvn254 · Nov 15, 2011

WOW! Thanks so much for all of your insight. But to make sure I am clear, I can register with Excelssior free and take the first exams and have access to Excelsior study material without actually having to pay the almost $1000 to enroll????

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2011

You are correct. You will also find LOTS of support on this board. I wish I knew about it when I first started with EC. Welcome to the ride that is distance learning :)

Nervous1 · Nov 15, 2011

WOW! Thanks so much for all of your insight. But to make sure I am clear, I can register with Excelssior free and take the first exams and have access to Excelsior study material without actually having to pay the almost $1000 to enroll????

Correct, registering for a free account will give you access to the content guides for the first 2 exams. You can also pay the application fee and go ahead and get your transcripts evaluated while you are studying for the first 2 exams.

Once I got started, I blew thru the first 2 exams and was waiting on the transcript eval for weeks. Until you enroll, you cannot get access to the other content guides and you must send in transcripts in order to enroll. I was at a stand still for almost 3 weeks because I could not study for my next exam because my eval was not done. I even tried to get them to let me enroll before my eval was done so I could get the next content guide, but they made me wait.

I started testing on the theory exams in June and finished H & S and Transitions before July 1, enrolled July 7 and have 3 exams left that I have scheduled all 3 before the end of December. Time flies by very quickly.

txlvn254 · Nov 15, 2011

it makes me wonder how these publishing companies manage to stay in business with all these cheaper resources out there!! I feel much better about starting with Excelsior!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 15, 2011

it makes me wonder how these publishing companies manage to stay in business with all these cheaper resources out there!! I feel much better about starting with Excelsior!

Lots and lots and LOTS of advertising! And a very expensive product. And requiring people to sign contracts. Glad you did your homework. :) So funny ... even after I finished EC's program, I was still getting College Network advertisement postcards because I'm still a paramedic ... "finish your RN degree in 18 months." Hahahaha. Ummmm ... NO. Granted, the College Network materials aren't terrible from what I've seen, but are way overpriced in my opinion. To those who have signed contracts, I say the best revenge is succeeding in the program! I feel terrible for people who sign the contract only to decide that distance learning isn't for them.

Welcome to allnurses and the Distance Learning forum! You will find a fabulous support network here.