Getting ready to apply

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So I've been researching a lot on options and I've come to the conclusion that Excelsior ADN looks like a good option for me. I have 13 years as a paramedic with a BS. My goal is to become a physician extender in the formal sense, FNP being the more appealing route due to accessibility options for the local programs. I've taken the TEAS with a good score, have all my transcripts headed to Excelsior. I have not applied yet, but am planning to in the next couple of weeks. Also, I have that new verification form completed for work experience. I was looking into TOR for info lit credit to save a little money. I have all my prereqs I believe, however, my first A&P is expired. My second one is good and is worth 4 credits so I'm hoping that will suffice. I plan on doing the challenge exams. Any opinion on any of this?

Thanks!

Rick

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Specializes in EMT since 92, Paramedic since 97, RN and PHRN 2021.

As I am coming to the end of the ADN program I think I am qualified to give you a fair, unbiased opinion.

I started excelsior less than a year ago, Sept. 15 to be exact. I only transferred in 6 credits, 3 for intro to Psych and 3 for Sociology that I took 8 years ago at Community college of Philadelphia. I took the rest of my general ed credits via online classes through Excelsior. Couldn't be more happier. I finished up my last online general ed class in May of 2016. I began the test out option of the Nursing exams in the beginning of May and finished the 8th, and final, nursing exam by the end of June. The FCCA was beginning 6 days after I finished my last nursing exam and I jumped into that. Here I am, the FCCA final exam opens up in 6 days, and I cannot wait to be done with them. Once they are finished I , hopefully, will be CPNE eligible. There are different stories of time waits from 3 months to over a year. The 3 month waits have been from people who call daily for any cancellations. Those that wait a year do not call and just settle with whatever they are scheduled with through excelsior. Now there is nothing wrong with waiting but some people get irritated with having to wait so long, especially with the cost of the CPNE.

I cannot wait to be finished and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX. When I am CPNE eligible I will be calling every day for a cancellation.

As far as the quality of the education of the online classes. Since I have taken both brick and mortar and online I don't really feel there is much of a difference. I still had papers due, exams to do, and the grading was as difficult, if not more with the online classes.

The only advice I can offer is do not get side tracked. I have read so many stories of people who start out like gang busters and then half way through something happens and Excelsior gets put on the back burner and then they are scrambling because they are approaching their 7 year time limit and may not be able to finish the program. Then usually Excelsior gets the blame, for some reason, and thats where you may see some bad reviews online.

Anyway, if you choose excelsior, good luck. Just stay dedicated and focused. The past year has flown by for me and I never thought I would be at the end of the FCCA this fast.

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Awesome. I'm pretty comfortable with online courses as most all of my AAS and BS were web based. Thanks for the detailed review of your experience, that really makes me feel even better about applying.

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I see that 4 hours of a&p is required. I have an a&p 2 still good worth 4 hours. Anyone have this happen to them from taking the first one more than 5 years ago?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I see that 4 hours of a&p is required. I have an a&p 2 still good worth 4 hours. Anyone have this happen to them from taking the first one more than 5 years ago?

I keep thinking that they require you have credits that are in date for the entirety of A&P. I could be wrong, but you might have to re-do the expired one.

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I applied, awaiting on my transcripts' arrival to Excelsior. Hopefully I'll get lucky with the A&P, but if not I bet I can test out of A&P part one via one of the many online resources available.

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My review shows me having 2 hours of A&P, 2 more needed. I enrolled today. Need to CLEP a sociology, get approval for Tor info lit, and planning to take the Excelsior A&P test unless there is a better option.

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