Excelsior Vs College Network

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Dear Forum:

I am an LPN who would like to pursue his RN. I am looking into online programs. They seem more reasonable and easier to fit into my schedule as an LPN.

I have had a College Network come to my house and present their plan. But I don't know. As others have said it just seems like an add on to Excelsior.

I have a Bachelor's and Masters in other field so they should take a lot of my credits.

Any advice would be extremely helpful. I am mostly trying to get your opinion on the two schools.

Thanks,

Rocky

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Excelsior College is a degree granting educational institution. The College Network is a publishing company. You can get a degree in nursing that will allow you to sit for the NCLEX RN from Excelsior College. You can get a contract for more than $5000 to buy study guides from The College Network. Go to ebay and buy study guides from TCN for $15 to $30 used. Don't get roped into a binding contract for more than $5000 for the same. http://www.excelsior.edu

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Have you looked at any of the many existing threads here about TCN (The College Network)? If not, I encourage you strongly to do so before making a decision. Lots of discussion there of people's opinions of and experiences with TCN.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The College Network is not an online LPN-to-RN program. The College Network is nothing more than a publishing company engaged in the business of selling study materials that eventually lead to a nursing degree from Excelsior. Therefore, Excelsior is the school you're really dealing with.

Most people are able to earn their LPN-to-RN bridge program nursing degree from Excelsior without ever going through expensive publishing companies such as the College Network. In addition, people have attempted to get out of contracts drawn by TCN, and all were unsuccessful.

Buyer beware. . .

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, home&pub health, pvt duty.
Dear Forum:

I am an LPN who would like to pursue his RN. I am looking into online programs. They seem more reasonable and easier to fit into my schedule as an LPN. I have a Bachelor's and Masters in other field so they should take a lot of my credits.Any advice would be extremely helpful. I am mostly trying to get your opinion on the two schools.

Rocky, since you have advanced degrees, you are in a position that few LVNs are in'; am in the same situation as you.

1. Check with your state board of registered nursing to find schools that are accepted by your state. There are some schools that offer degrees but once you get the degree you cannot work in your state..or in other states. Excelsior grads have had this problem. In Calif, where I live, Excelsior has not been accepted for a number of years and any excelsior RN out of state will not be able to work here. The problem with Excelsior in Calif is the BRN requires a certain amount of lecture and a certain amount of clinical time. Excelsior LVN to RN program does not have clinicals. The rationale is that you are working now and don't need clinicals. However, some states have strict LVN practice laws and LVNs cannot work in acute care...thus the need for clinicals in LVN-RN school.

2. You did not say if you have prerequisites to take. Fortunately, for me, all my prerequistes were done as part of my other degrees. If you do need prerequisites, I suggest going to a community college or university..something that is accredited so that your work will be recognized. Who knows, you may want to go on to get a advanced degree in nursing.

3. There is a difference in Excelsior and The College Network. Indiana State U authorizes TCU to help student get their prerequisites. However, as I said, the prerequisites can be done elsewhere (probably cheaper). Once your prerequisites are done, then you must take 4 challege tests with ISU. You can either buy the study books from TCU or study using other books..which would save you $2000. ISU does not require you to use TCU to take the challenge tests. Once you pass the challenge tests, TCU is no longer in the program and you work directly with ISU.

4. Since you already have a bachelors & masters, why not go to a non-nursing excellerated program that takes you directly to your masters in nursing. After your first year, you are eligible for the NCLEX. You pass and you continue on with the program just like any RN to masters program. I wish I could do this, but I am stuck and need to do the distance learning program due to time constraints. :twocents:

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a private message or email.

G Meg

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Geriatrics.

I have had personal experience with College Network and found that they are a nightmare to deal with. Stay away. Far away.

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Specializes in Home health, pediatrics, case managment.

I am currently an RN student (online program), and had I spent this much time on studying for an excelsior test, I would have been an RN 8 years ago. The program I am in is very demanding!!! I spend 30-35 hrs a week in books, writing discussions, replying to other discussions, taking quizzes.......not sure how they say this is for the WORKING LVN!!!!! I have had to cut back my hours big time! Excelsior College is GREAT!!!!! coming from someone who has tried BOTH! I would go to EBAY for the study guides!!!

hope this helps!!

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