Feeling some anxiety and needing encouragement...

delarmer · Feb 1, 2013

I am doing the research, and like you, I am thinking about Excelsior. I have been an LPN for 20 yrs. and the thought of starting school agin, scares me!! Whatever you decide, follow your dream!! No pain, no gain!! Hold your head high, because you can do it!!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 1, 2013

Think about what would be best for you. If they want you back, will you be able to handle the course load?? Don't hesitate to speak to one of the nursing advisors, or the head of the program. Come up with them a course of action. Good Luck!!!

rcarm01 · Feb 1, 2013

Thanks for the encouragement! I certainly appreciate it. It's nice to know I'm not alone out there. School full-time is definitely an adjustment. I went through LPN school when I was 19 and I'm 41 now, so it's been awhile! I have a family and household to take care of now as well. I'm thinking I may have to find ways to deal with stress as well such as taking better care of myself through excercise, eating clean, etc. I don't have to make a decision for another month or two but it's still anxiety inducing! :arghh:

NurseGuyBri · Feb 3, 2013

If you have been a successful LPN for 20 years, you already have what it takes to be an RN. Do not let it scare you or drop your confidence- You are good enough. I know that in this area, Excelsior is looked down upon (I do not know why). Every time you mention them (I'm in SE Virginia) someone says, "Oh, you went there? How did you get out of it to go to a real school?". I do not know if this is a true representation of the program or not. Either way, I think that a physical LPN-RN is much more successful- I learned some things from the instructors that I wouldn't have if it were online. I think any way you go will be good if you put the work in, so good luck!!

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Feb 3, 2013

Excelsior graduate here! I tried the community college route and they told me not to even think about applying to their bridge program for at least a year. So I stayed at that college taking easy courses like art, etc., so that I could keep getting the student loans/refunds. By the time the year for me to apply for their bridge rolled around, I had been an RN for 2 months, thanks to Excelsior! I used those student loan refunds to pay for my education at EC. Once i met my last requirement for graduation at EC, I withdrew from the community college. At the time of my enrollment, I had been an LPN for 23 years and was very appauled at the treatment that I received from the community college, especially since they had 14 vacant seats in the program. Lots of folks asked me how did I manage to focus on 2 colleges at the same time. The answer is easy: I took classes that came easy to me that were no brainers like art, English, etc. it fulfilled EC general education requirements, too. Because of those easy class subjects, I was able to focus my studies on the college that let me into the nursing program. I did EC program from start to RN in hand, a total of 10 months! As far as the CPNE, nerves get the best of those who fail, as well as poor preparation. My comfort zone was the hospital setting, so the CPNE was a piece of cake. EC tells you exactly how to pass the CPNE, so don't let that stop you. It is not a BEAST and does NOT live up to all the hype. And this is coming from a person who was older than you are now when I went through the program. And I kept my hospital job while I did it. Or course I modified my hours because the brain cells could handle just so much, even with the no brainer courses that I took. And guess what? Those classes that i thought meant nothing transferred towards general education requirements for the BSN. So i actually killed 3 birds with one stone! Naturally life got in the way like it does sometimes and i had to delay my studies but I'm getting back on the horse in March with EC to finish what i started.

I hope this gives you some insight. I'm not sure about the specifics of this website, but I will gladly provide you with my email address in a PM if there is anything else I might be able to answer for you. Either way, good luck in your decision!

rcarm01 · Feb 4, 2013

Thanks for the insight! I appreciate the input from both sides. It will certainly help me make a decision which I need to make in the next couple of weeks. I know I have a bad habit of letting my nerves get the best of me. I certainly need to learn to put that aside and believe I can conquer this regardless. I know the financial gain is the the main driving force for me. Especially when I work with RN's that are making twice what I make for doing the same job.