Excelsior or a traditional college?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2007

I had no problem deciding on Excelsior for three reasons: I'm in New York so BON acceptance isn't an issue, I have no time for or access to "regular" school, and I don't like regular school.

I'm halfway through the tests.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 2, 2007

After earning two Associates degrees, I didn't want to sit in a classroom again ... I probably would have if it were the only way to get my RN, but I prefer to be able to do this at my own pace, from the comfort of my living room. :)

emsrn969 · Jul 6, 2007

I did have a difficult time deciding initiallly, but chose the more difficult route of Excelsior. I knew I would learn and retain more by studying on my own instead of an instructor coach me how to pass their test, plus the CPNE is the most stressful exam I have ever taken and wouldn't change that for anything.

If you're self motivated and can do the time on your own, Excelsior will offer you an education beyond any traditional college. If you aren't, then spoon-fed instruction is the way to go.

qtgirl4u04 · Jul 9, 2007

Hi Suesquatch where do you live in NY I live in upstate.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2007

Ticonderoga. A Niagara Falls guy corrected me once - he said, "I'm not in upstate New York. I'm in western New york."

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Jul 10, 2007

Hope1978...I would have to DITTO what emsrn said. If your learning style is such that you CAN get stuff done with deadlines at your pace then you should consider it. If there is any bone in your skeleton that procrastinates...don't do it. EC is an awesome route for alot of us. Look around at all the grads and support you see right here in allnurses.com!!! There is help out there and support as well. If you have a mortgage, children and other issues that really prevent you from setting another year in a brick and mortar setting, maybe EC is right for you. It IS possible and done every day! I will say this, you want to hurry if you are considering this because if you are a registered student by Sept or Oct (**somebody help me here***) I believe there are new tougher requirements for the clinical portion. It is tough enough as it is but just heads up on that, you might give Excelsior a call.

ERDude

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 10, 2007

The changes to the ASN curriculum are effective October 1, 2007, so students NOT enrolled before 10/01 will have to take the extra concepts exam and the new head-to-toe assessment/managing multiple patients/working with other health care team members clinical. Students enrolled before 10/01 have to also complete NC1 through NC7 by September 30, 2009, or those students will have to take the new stuff, too. That is all according to the EC website.

Going the EC route does take a lot of self-discipline ... I've learned the best way for me to study is to schedule the exam -- then I have an actual deadline! But it's working well for me, so far. :) I'm taking NC3 at the end of the month, and I've done A&P, NC1 and NC2 since mid-May.

Jenn91c · Jul 16, 2007

i am only one test away and i know i have asked several of you already if i should stay the course. but im in germany and they are making it extra hard to finish over here. its not like i can just get on a flight everytime i need to take a test. i used to be able to test in frankfurt but now they took that capability away, soooooo in the meantime, im looking at all the other stuff they want me to do to pass the CPNE. im really scared about paying $1700 for a test that i don't know if i will pass. i am confident in my skills, and i have been nursing for 6 years (about) and i actively practice, but i received the study CD for the CPNE and its so vague. then i was told i really need a workshop, well those are another $800 or the lynn's workshop are $250, either way thats more money spent and another trip to the states. very costly.

in a nutshell, how many people pass the CPNE with just studying on their own?? do i really need all those workshops? im just scared of paying all that money and messing up one little thing and then not only am i out all that money, but my degree as well.

help!!

jenn:uhoh21:

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 17, 2007

Jenn, you're so close to being done!! And lots of people pass the CPNE without a workshop.

My suggestion -- keep going!!! Once you get your test date for the CPNE, contact Lynn and ask her if she can do a one-on-one workshop with you. She's going to start offering those in Charlotte, NC, if I recall correctly, for about the same price as a regular workshop. An idea -- you could apply to one of the Georgia locations for CPNE, go to Charlotte, NC for your workshop, then head down to GA for the CPNE, all in a short time-span so it's all in one trip. I know it's going to be expensive, but I think it'll be worth it in the long run!

P.S. I miss Germany ... I grew up there. Ramstein, then Munich for my first two years of college when U of Maryland had a campus there. Ahhh, those were the days! :biere: