For Everyone Just Starting with EC

sheliamd · Dec 13, 2004

Are you starting an LPN program with EC? I just noticed your screen name new mom LPN student.... :rolleyes:

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2004

I am starting this thread for everyone just starting with EC, especially the pre-req's. How are ya'll planning to do them with EC courses, EC exams, CLEP exams, or Dantes exams?
I am planning on clepping human growth and development, to replan lifespan developmental psycology. And I am also going to clep intro to sociology to replace sociology.

That sounds like a good plan. The cleps save you not only time but money as well. I took the HG&D clep and the sociology clep and did just fine.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

FocusRN · Dec 13, 2004

No EC doesn't have an LPN program. What I am doing is getting all of my EC pre-req's out of the way, while I am in a regular LPN program in my city. So by the time I finish my LPN program, I will be done with all of the EC general req's ,and I'll be able to go staight to the nursing componet, saving a little time.

Are you starting an LPN program with EC? I just noticed your screen name new mom LPN student....

FocusRN · Dec 13, 2004

Yeah, I was looking for Clep exam prices and I saw that they are only $55 each, compared to EC exams at like $175-$205. And even if I fail a clep exam, it will be easier for me to comeup with another $55, so the disappointment won't be as big, as with an EC exam. I just haven't figured out what books (if any), that I should get. And on top of that I want my fiance to go through EC's associate in business program. I am planning it out for him. He can clep all of the business req's, and he can go through OKU for the written english requirement instead of EC's exam because I looked over the exam prep outline and I think it is too rough. I mean I aced my english comp in college, and that was hard, but I don't think I could pass EC's exam at all.

Thanks for the support.

That sounds like a good plan. The cleps save you not only time but money as well. I took the HG&D clep and the sociology clep and did just fine.
Good Luck and keep us posted.

Jo Dirt · Dec 14, 2004

I mean I aced my english comp in college, and that was hard, but I don't think I could pass EC's exam at all...

Hey, I'm a new Excelsior student. I've been an LPN four years. I had already taken most of my pre-req's through the university, except for A&P, Microbiology and Lifespan Development.

I put off taking any EC exams for about two years because I thought they would be too hard. Finally last month I said to myself it's now or never so I just signed up for Nursing Concepts 1. I was thrilled to pass with a B. So then I thought I would give the big daddy of the pre-req's a whirl, A&P. Was more than excited when I passed that with a B. Now a week later I have decided to go ahead and take Microbiology, I was scheduled for December 23 but something has come up for that week so the only date open at the center this month was December 17 and I took it. I hope I'm not digging my own grave, I'm only halfway through the study guide...I'm sure there are several here who would love to see someone like me fall flat on my face (I've been smeared because I am going on and on about how determined I am to finish this nursing program this spring and some see me as an obnoxious braggart) but what the heck, I'm going to plow in and give it a try. If I spent all my time worrying about how others perceive me I'd be wasting a lot of time.

Anyway...ya'll gonna wish me luck? :smokin:

HAPPYNPROUD · Dec 14, 2004

Good Luck LPNtoRN....It can be done...Although I don't recommend it, I did take 3 tests in one month..I was successful on all of them....at the point I did that, I was really ready to finish because I had put it off for a while....Again, Good luck.:)

FocusRN · Dec 14, 2004

Congrats and good lick LPNtoRN. I actually admire you. As soon as I graduate and pass my NCLEX_LPN, I will go straight to the nursing concepts.I will graduate in about August 2006, and I plan on being finished with the whole EC program and have my degree, by Feb. 2007. That may be kind of bold too but what they heck. That is the whole reason I am going with EC. Because most other programs require you to be an LPN for one or two years, before you get even get into their program. And then it still takes a full two years to get an ASN. But EC is the best choice for me because as soon as I am licensed I can go through EC like that. The only thing that I am dredding is the CPNE. That is only because I see so many LPN's on this forum and different ones, that have failed it, and they have been nurse for years. So what about me basically straight out of nursing school.

HAPPYNPROUD · Dec 15, 2004

New Mom LPN Student

It can help you or hinder you when it comes to the CPNE if you have previous clinical experience. Sometimes, it's hard to "break old habits" when you have been in the field. If you study and prepare yourself properly, you will do just fine...Don't stress yourself about it....It is doable...I had been an LPN for 5.5 years and completed the CPNE in September without any repeats on anything....and I didn't attend any of the prep courses....but I also know an EMT who completed the CPNE without any repeats, and she did not attend any prep courses either.

It depends on you and your preparation (in the manner that Excelsior requires).

Jo Dirt · Dec 15, 2004

Good Luck LPNtoRN....It can be done...Although I don't recommend it, I did take 3 tests in one month..I was successful on all of them....at the point I did that, I was really ready to finish because I had put it off for a while....Again, Good luck.:)

I don't recommend it, either. I'm trying to get ready for microbiology this Friday (and get ready for a chemistry final at my college today as well) AND I worked the 7pm-7am shift doing private duty nursing last night and the night before and I'll be there again tonight if the little old lady lives that long (she isn't doing too well) and I'm ABOUT DEAD MYSELF!

I don't feel like I can stop though. I'm out of control. I've put this off soooo long I am just sick of thinking and worrying about it. I want to get done! Stick a fork in me! I'm getting offline now to call Excelsior and see how long it will take before I can sign up for the rest of the NC exams (sent my enrollment form and fee in last week).

Then, I'm going to go to bed...:stone

luv4nursing · Jan 19, 2005

I like this thread! sounds like u guys are on the ball! u are answering some questions I have before I ask! Im also currently an LPN student who will graduate in September of this year and want to go to Excelsior bc of the obstacles of waiting lists, work requirements, yada yada yada.

so are u guys saying that it is possible to go ahead and enroll now(I may do it in the spring or early summer) and finish up the pre reqs (I have a few of them already) before I ever enroll in the RN program? I would like to do this during my summer break and knock out a couple of classes. I may take some at the local CC, but I have to find out what is accepted. how do I go about this? Ive never heard of Religions of the World or Foundations of Gerontology so Im not sure if these are even offered at the local CC.

I would appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. I want to shoot straight for my RN as soon as I graduate LPN school and get the funding together! Id love to get a head start....

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Jan 19, 2005

Don't enroll yet. You can take all of your gen eds and your first 2 NC exams prior to enrollment. You have to pay a reenrollment fee yearly so it is a good idea to get as much done prior to enrollment that you can. You may say that you'll be done before a year is up but you never know what roadblocks just may arise, so do it the smart way. (Just my opinion.) You may be able to skip NC2 if you graduated from your LPN program with a B average. The only way you'll know what gen eds you need and whether or not you can skip out of NC2 is to have an official transcript review by EC. It costs a little bit but they apply that $ towards your enrollment. I would think that you could go ahead and get that done now if you'd like.

Best of luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!