Excelsior?

Nursing Students Online Learning

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Could someone please explain to me what this college really is? Is this an online school that say I wanted to take just ONE class (the ethics class), I would be able to sign up for that, take it over the summer online and then be done?

I have looked at posts on the distance learning part of the site but all these abbreviations- I cannot figure out how this school works. Is it just a school for LPN to RNs? Or can I just take one class? Also, anyone know about the prices and how the classes actually work??

Thanks!

ok, I have another question.

How exactly do these classes work? Are you given all the work at once and then you just work on it at your own pace and then take the test? Do you have weekly work that you need to turn in? Are there papers that you write, or multiple tests every couple of weeks? Do you have an actual instructor or is it all self-disciplined study?

Sorry, but Ive never taken classes online before.

Thanks!!

That depends on what you are talking about. If you are referring to Excelsior's nursing and other general ed exams, then no. No papers to turn in or weekly homework. They are just like if you were going to CLEP something instead of taking the actual class. You study for the exams on your own, then schedule an exam date at the testing center when it's convenient for you.

For many "online" classes that you are referring to at different colleges, there can be weekly homework or papers to turn in, it just depends on the class and instructor just like when you take a regular class at a college/university.

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I think you're confused. It's not a class, it's a test. Much like CLEP or AP exams. You study for the exam using either the textbooks they recommend or other appropriate sources, then you pay the fee and schedule a test date. Then you sit in front of the computer at your local Prometric test center/ sylvan learning center and answer a couple hundred questions. You answer enough right, you pass and get credits.

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It cost me $900 to enroll. Nursing exams are $205 each. There are seven. Then I believe there is a $450 graduation fee, and the CPNE is over $1500.

However, if you think that is high, consider that Deaconess School of Nursing cost about $25,000 for an ASN. Excelsior is a fraction of the cost.

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I think you're confused. It's not a class, it's a test. Much like CLEP or AP exams. You study for the exam using either the textbooks they recommend or other appropriate sources, then you pay the fee and schedule a test date. Then you sit in front of the computer at your local Prometric test center/ sylvan learning center and answer a couple hundred questions. You answer enough right, you pass and get credits.

ahh I get it now! Thanks! couple hundred questions? that seems like a whole lot! well anyway, I think this sounds a lot better than sitting through an ethics class for a whole semester.

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Specializes in Mental Health, MI/CD, Neurology.

If you have the self discipline (and if you don't you might develop it after forking over a bunch of money!!) then EC is truly the way to go. I am so thankful I found it.

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If you have the self discipline (and if you don't you might develop it after forking over a bunch of money!!) then EC is truly the way to go. I am so thankful I found it.

i'm so glad I found this thread. I was just looking at the RN-BSN program at ASU's website, and they said they accept EC credits. So I guess I have the gist of it down. You study yourself, take the tests for a much cheaper way then actually taking the class. And this is probably a great way to get a degree for those who study well on their own, and have done distance learning before. I am a pretty good distance learning student, so I'm looking at this option for after I get my RN. Questions--

for those of you who've done it, how long does it take for you to finish a "class" before your ready to take the test?

so for schools that accept these tests as credit, do you just transfer over and then finish out the clinical courses through the university?

Thanks!

Rebecca

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i'm so glad I found this thread. I was just looking at the RN-BSN program at ASU's website, and they said they accept EC credits. So I guess I have the gist of it down. You study yourself, take the tests for a much cheaper way then actually taking the class. And this is probably a great way to get a degree for those who study well on their own, and have done distance learning before. I am a pretty good distance learning student, so I'm looking at this option for after I get my RN. Questions--

for those of you who've done it, how long does it take for you to finish a "class" before your ready to take the test?

so for schools that accept these tests as credit, do you just transfer over and then finish out the clinical courses through the university?

Thanks!

Rebecca

I have heard most people say that allowing about a month per exam is pretty reasonable. I tend to take them faster but when I study I generally hit it hard and do nothing else. If that is the case with you you may be able handle one every couple of weeks.

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I have heard most people say that allowing about a month per exam is pretty reasonable. I tend to take them faster but when I study I generally hit it hard and do nothing else. If that is the case with you you may be able handle one every couple of weeks.

So you don't work?

Do you just study all day long? Or do you allot yourself a certain number of hours everyday for studying?

I'm so glad I found out about this option, because I do really well in online classes already, so this option might be ideal for me.

Do you do your clinicals with your local school?

Rebecca

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So you don't work?

Do you just study all day long? Or do you allot yourself a certain number of hours everyday for studying?

I'm so glad I found out about this option, because I do really well in online classes already, so this option might be ideal for me.

Do you do your clinicals with your local school?

Rebecca

I work doing private duty nursing. Nice thing about my job is that I work 7p-7a, my patient is an elderly man who goes to bed about 5 in the evening and sleeps all night. So I when I get there I study from about 7 until 10 or so, then go to bed (they even have a bed in a spare bedroom for the nurses). And it pays a lot better than LTC!

Anyway, My schedule would go like this. For example, I took microbiology from Excelsior after studying for 4 days and made a B. When I took the kids to school I came home, got my EC study guide (used Cliff's Notes for the most part to study) and looked up every point in the study guide, taking meticulous notes, and writing only the most relevant parts (main ideas) down in a notebook. It took me two days to do this (working about 5 hrs. a day). It is no wonder I am burned out, but it can be done. I did something similar with A&P, NC 1, 3 and 4, but with about 1-2 weeks between them.

I just bombed NC 5, however, this was with no studying. I am having some issues with depression and my concentration level is very low.

I guess it just depends on how motivated a person is.

Also, EC just has one big clinial. It is during a weekend at a hospital. You dont generally start studying and preparing for it until you have finished the nursing courses.

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Specializes in HH, ER.
It can get expensive (like any school).

Excelsior did not have a time limit on when you earned credit for your general ed's such as anatomy, microbiology, english, psych, etc.

As far as I know (I am going through the program right now...only CPNE left) the only thing that expires is A&P, it must be newer than 10 years. The only other time limit they have is that you have to take a test within one year of paying for it.

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