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I've been an LPN for 2 years now and also work agency with General Healthcare Resources. I want to get my RN but my husband is in school also for his RN :bugeyes: so I have little choice but to do it online if I'm going to do it at all. I went to EC's website and created my EC account. Now what do I do :confused:? How do I know what and how many classes/courses I must take to get my degree? Do I have to pay the $75 fee to apply just to find out if I have to take too many courses? I took a lot of prerequisites at local community college for the RN already.

Also, I cannot find out on my state board of nursing (PA) if they even accept EC degrees- do you know if they do?? I don't want to get into anything I cannot get out of (ie: TCN). Thanks

Kelly

Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
you have to be within 10 credit hours to be eligible for cpne. i have 3 left. and as far as i understand, yes, i can take cpne first and then finish my english :) actually, i was planning for longer wait and was going to do english while i'm waiting, but i got the date 4 days after i passed fcca (i got a call on dec. 4-th) and the date was just 1 month away. so, english can wait :))

hey, is the fcca still on paper or computerized now? thanks.

and it's not yet too late to get the xanax you know!

angel

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

FCCA was still on paper at the end of November. I'm sure still is. You call them to register and pay, your start date is about a week later. Then UPS guy appears at your door with the package and you have to complete the test and send it back before your time is up. I'd suggest to start right away, at least open it and look through. My reaction was something like, "That is it? Seriously? Oh... They want what?? And that's it?" I called EC next day :D I talked to the very nice lady and asked if I understand the tasks correctly. She said "yes" and that was it :) I completed the papers in one day, sealed the envelope and saw "P" 4 business days later :) It was the easiest test in the whole program.

As for the Xanax - thanks :D but it is too late to start experimenting..

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
fcca was still on paper at the end of november. i'm sure still is. you call them to register and pay, your start date is about a week later. then ups guy appears at your door with the package and you have to complete the test and send it back before your time is up. i'd suggest to start right away, at least open it and look through. my reaction was something like, "that is it? seriously? oh... they want what?? and that's it?" i called ec next day :D i talked to the very nice lady and asked if i understand the tasks correctly. she said "yes" and that was it :) i completed the papers in one day, sealed the envelope and saw "p" 4 business days later :) it was the easiest test in the whole program.

as for the xanax - thanks :D but it is too late to start experimenting..

thanks for the info. i take my last exam jan 7 and i will call them right away to send me the fcca stuff. the fee is included in my option package so i don't have to pay extra for it. i hope i find it easy as you did. :D

you are right about experimenting with xanax. i am anxious to see how it will affect me. i will start trying it a couple of weeks before my cpne. i have never taken any narcotic stuff so i don't know.

angel

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Hi Guys!

I am very interested in this thread. If I do not get accepted into any ADN programs, I've decided that I will take the 10 month LPN program offered.

How does Excelsior work once you're an LPN? Do you do clinicals? Where are they performed? How are you evaluated? I am going to continue sorting through their site, but in the meantime, if those of you who are already attending could shed some light, I would greatly appreciate. Also, do employers respect and accept Excelsior -- I love in NY.

Thanks in advance!

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aliX3, this may be a bad thought process to persue, but how did you challenge to become an LPN? I have to return to work myself and have completed six semesters of a BSN program as of Dec 2009 and just applied to the Excelsior's nursing program in hopes that I can finish the RN program this year outside of work hours. I have a BS and AS with Excelsior already so I know how to work with them. If I could convert my CNA license and completed RN courses to an LPN program, I would try that first.

Thank,

Jade

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Specializes in Home Health.

Ok I'm a little lost! I read some where on this post that you could take your first test before applying and enrolling in excelsior (for the lvn-adn). Which test is this? I already have a log on but I have not enrolled in or applied to excelsior.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
If you finish @ Excelsior college, would you ever be able to work as a travel nurse unrestricted?

Not likely, unless you were a travel nurse for the VA.

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What did u use to study for the excelsior a+p class? Do I need to buy the material they suggest

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What did u use to study for the a and p exam

please help thank

Monique

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I can provide a little insight to the Excelsior experience of trying to get your RN if your an LPN. Let me first say upfront that I am not a healthcare professional. My wife just went through this program. As a spouse I can say this was a long trying experience for my wife. She started this journey two maybe three years ago. You must be very disciplined regarding your study habits. My wife studied consistently. After each course she then had to go take a test at an approved location. In her case, at one of the local colleges or an approved testing site. This scenario played out over and over again over a couple years until she was finished. Then it was time to do her clinicals. By the way the cost for all of this was not bad but still expensive for average folks of average income. Clinicals alone were close to $2K not counting transportation costs and hotel costs (clinicals were 3 days long). If you live in a state that has a hospital approved to do your clinicals at then it's not too bad. However if you don't you could end up flying half way across the country to get there. It can take several months to a year before you get a date and location where you will do your clinicals. I will add that it is not very easy to pass clinicals. It's definitely doable but you must be prepared. You must also be prepared for the fact you may not pass your first time. You are allowed three attempts. The kicker here is, it's three separate fees of close to $2K plus travel costs and you again have to wait between each attempt for them to schedule you for a location. My wife eventually passed but not on the first try. She was heart broken to say the least. This was the first time she did not pass a test of any kind! She is an excellent Nurse. She has been in nursing for a very long time. You learn very quickly that attention to detail is crucial. Even a detail that is very minute in nature could end up in you being failed. So preparation is very important. Use the resources that Excelsior provides. Study guides and so forth. They are going to be your best source for information. When She returned for her second attempt (it took almost 8-10 months to be rescheduled) she faired much better and was better prepared. It was a very long journey to go through and in the end I suppose it was defintely worth it. Just be prepared to make the journey. It won't be five years but probably 2 to 3. My wife worked nights 4 nights a week. (4 - 12 hr shifts so she could only study 3 days a week) This will help if you are wondering how long it will take you. Anyway good luck!

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