Excelsior Students/Grads

[Brilliant Dreams]

Ok for the student attending Excelsior - can you tell me what the biggest challenges you have faced with this program are? :hdvwl:

Gradds of Excelsior - can you tell me what the down fall of your program was for you once you started your first RN job. (do you feel you were prepared? would you do the program again if you could go back in time?) :grn:

I am looking for some advice.... Here is my situation. I am currently an LPN. I have 2 young children 2 & 3. My situation is complicated, I live with my mother (dx: CHF, DM I, MI survior.) At this point in my life, if something happened to her I would not be able to keep my childhood home. I also dont think I would have strength to go back to school anytime soon. So, I have been looking into Excelsior as a means to get my RN quicker. But, it almost seems to good to be true. I have read some posts that there are a few students who were able to finish in 7 mo... Do you guys think that is a realistic goal or is a scenario that only few students can achieve?

My previous education was through our local state college all online teach yourself classes, very similar to Excelsior. The LPN school I attended was all in class, and it drove me nuts. I was an academic honors student each time I attended college. So, I do not believe the teaching myself portion will be a problem.

My concern is simple: When I graduate will I have the clinical skills and critical thinking skills to competently function as an RN? I am afraid that the experiences I would learn in clinical with a teacher, being critiqued and learning through errors are invaluable to nurses.

What do you all think? Is that true? Can an excelsior grad function like any other new grad or are they a little behind in the scheme of things?

Thank You all So Much for any advice or insight into this. You are all so supportive and uplifting and I really value your opinions on this topic.

[caliotter3]

Do not be looking for the EC program to be "all that" as far as preparation for the job. Most schools only prepare you to get hired and that is about it. You will get your "nurse legs" once you are on the job, as with all nursing programs. A more realistic goal for EC completion is 12 to 15 months; you need to factor in wait time for the CPNE. The biggest problem with EC is to not let it go to the wayside. Get motivated and get it done as soon as possible. They charge more money as time goes on and you don't want to find yourself with life situations always getting in the way. Then you could be out the money, and never reach your goal.

[BetterMeRN]

You can also end up like me, took the CPNE almost a year ago still haven't graduated. After completing the CPNE I had to go back to a full time job and all that I put on hold to complete the program. Having now failed my last requirement (Micro) I'm still here trying to be a GN by the end of the year. Most people who don't know about EC just don't get it, so I come here for the support.