Excelsior vs Local LPN-RN Bridge?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 28, 2017

If you have an in-person one-year bridge, that is the way to go. The wait time for Excelsior's final clinical exam is currently 9 months to a year, so it's not a time saver. Excelsior is really best for those with no other options. I am a graduate â€” 2008.

I will move your post to the Excelsior forum for more feedback.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Mar 28, 2017

I agree with Pixie.RN. I did EC's bridge program in late 2009, graduating in 2010. It took me 10 months but things were so very different back then.

I would definitely go with the 1 year and done option. In fact, that was my first choice. But the local college would not even give me an application to its LPN-RN bridge program.

All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed EC's ASN program. I had no issues with it; nor have I had any issues with jobs because of having an online degree.

RNBearColumbus, BSN · Mar 28, 2017

One more vote for the local program.

I graduated from the Excelsior ADN program a year ago, and chose it because I had no other options that fit with my work schedule or personal life. I did the exam option, and then waited nearly a year for my final clinical exam date . It was NOT the easy way to do things, but I DO feel that Excelsior provided a great education and prepared me for working as a RN.

If you have the option of a local program, and it works with your work schedule, do that.

CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P · Mar 31, 2017

I also used Excelsior but my bridge was Paramedic to RN. If you can do a traditional program, do it. No two ways about it. I am happy with my Excelsior degree and I worked my rear off for it, it was not the "easy" option that some people seem to think online classes are. And the CPNE...well, I'm trying to recover still. ;-) You will have a concrete timeline with the local option, you will make contacts at hospitals while you do your clinicals, you won't have a 6-12 month wait to take your final after you finish you class work.

Excelsior was my only option, I had tried traditional school but could not do it with full-time work, house hold to run, etc. Fortunately I'm a very good self-studier. It worked out for me, but it really is not for everyone.

debirn918 · Apr 23, 2017

I did the Excelsior program years ago. (At the time it was New York Regeants.) Took CPNE in California in Dec 1988, NCLEX 2 day exam in summer 89-it was only offered 2 times a year, received results 2 months after exam. Went back to school for BSN @ traditional campus based without problem. Graduated with BSN in 2002. When taking course for BSN, I actually did a preceptorship at Nursing Commission, comparing Excelsior to traditional schooling. Cost for childcare, travel to school and need to change FTE to accommodate traditional school hours were some areas I addressed. This was in Washington State. (OF COURSE IT WAS NEARLY 30 Years ago and many things have changed.) I worked at and still work at a faciliity which strongly supported many LPNs as they moved on in their careers. Be sure to check out licensure requirements in the state where you expect to become licensed. Write out pros and cons, do you know of or have a preceptor for clinical requirements. Remember that you will need to fit that in to your schedule. Also-where would you need to go to take clinical exam. Cost for getting there as well as costs related to exams, etc. Good luck on whichever method you choose.