Excelsior and The College Network

willtm · Sep 25, 2005

The college network is a 3rd party company that sells study materials and is not endorsed by Excelsior. Everything can be done directly through Excelsior for much less money then going through a 3rd party company.

Hope this helps:)

I'm thinking of entering Excelsior's LPN to RN program. Does anyone here know if "The College Network" is the official representative of Excelsior, or should I contact the college directly?

FroggysMom · Sep 25, 2005

The college network is a 3rd party company that sells study materials and is not endorsed by Excelsior. Everything can be done directly through Excelsior for much less money then going through a 3rd party company.
Hope this helps:)

Ah, I see. I didn't feel comfortable about this whole thing with the College Network anyway - just didn't seem right. Thanks VERY much for the advice and information. I will contact Excelsior directly.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Sep 25, 2005

I personally liked some of these published study guides (although never used the College network guides). Don't buy anything from the publishers though, check out the used guides on ebay. Can usually find them for around $50 or so (publishers cost $300 or so). Good luck

county162 · Sep 26, 2005

I personally like using The College Networks study material. I found that there study guides covered the course material very thoroughly. Although, as someone mentioned earlier it is much cheaper to purchase your study material off of ebay, just type in excelsior college and all the material on auction will pop up. Much success

FroggysMom · Sep 28, 2005

I personally like using The College Networks study material. I found that there study guides covered the course material very thoroughly. Although, as someone mentioned earlier it is much cheaper to purchase your study material off of ebay, just type in excelsior college and all the material on auction will pop up. Much success

Well, after considering the costs and the amount of time I will be actually working as an RN after graduating from Excelsior, however long that will take, I think I will simply retire as an LPN after all. I can't justify spending the money (although I have always had the desire to continue to learn and would love to further my education) since I won't make it up before I stop working all together. Too bad I didn't think of this 10 years ago. But then hindsight is always 20/20, isn't it?

Thanks so much for all of your input and encouragement. Good luck to all of you!

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Sep 29, 2005

ok, hate to be rude... but how old are you. Better question is how long until you retire? I just completed in May and passed NCLEX in June. I ended up with almost a $2/hr raise from my LTC facility. That equals close to $4000/year increase. I could probably make even more if I went to a hospital, but I like my straight day shift w/ no weekends and hate to give up my years of seniority. Took about a year to complete the program, plus a year of working to recoup your costs.. within 3 years, or there about, you should be making money off your RN. I have no regrets.

Seeker2010 · Sep 29, 2005

ok, hate to be rude... but how old are you. Better question is how long until you retire? I just completed in May and passed NCLEX in June. I ended up with almost a $2/hr raise from my LTC facility. That equals close to $4000/year increase. I could probably make even more if I went to a hospital, but I like my straight day shift w/ no weekends and hate to give up my years of seniority. Took about a year to complete the program, plus a year of working to recoup your costs.. within 3 years, or there about, you should be making money off your RN. I have no regrets.

How interesting, you said it took you a year to complete? Did you use RUE or

College network or Excelsior??? I'm trying to decide which one to do and would appreciate any feedback.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Sep 29, 2005

How interesting, you said it took you a year to complete? Did you use RUE or
College network or Excelsior??? I'm trying to decide which one to do and would appreciate any feedback.

Excelsior is a UNIVERSITY - the one you get an actual diploma. RUE and College Network are over priced publishing companies that sells books to help you pass Excelsior exams. Please do a search on this forum regarding Excelsior college and the publishing complanies. Don't let these publishing companies sucker you into signing a contract with them until you do this search! Make sure your state will accept a degree from Excelsior before you start this program.

nicholrwalker · Oct 30, 2005

I think Illinois and Georgia are the only states that do not except, Excelsior college for their N-Clex. I was told this by a College Network advisor. He informed me that I would have to test in S.C. then get an endorsement from Georgia for their RN licsensure.

willtm · Oct 30, 2005

Just to clarify--I recently completed EC and live in Georgia. If anyone is considering this who lives in GA take the NCLEX for minnesota, they are very friendly and lightening fast. My NCLEX pass was posted on the MN BON website in less then 24 hours after I completed my test and I had a license in hand from them in less then a week. Ga had no problem with me endorsing from MN. MN also allowed me to test with a letter of completion from EC, SC requires paperwork that can only be sent after graduation. With MN I had my att and was able to schedule my test before I graduated, that would not be the case with some states, including SC. In the end I had a GA license in my hand 3 weeks after passing the nclex.

I think Illinois and Georgia are the only states that do not except, Excelsior college for their N-Clex. I was told this by a College Network advisor. He informed me that I would have to test in S.C. then get an endorsement from Georgia for their RN licsensure.

nicholrwalker · Oct 30, 2005

Thank-You for the info.....would you mind communicating with me more regarding EC in GA? I would appreciate it.