Giving Up :(

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 26, 2008

It is hard to do, but it's possible. A&P was tough, Micro slightly better. But with that being said, self-study is not for everyone ... there is NOTHING wrong with going to a traditional school! Will your humanities credits transfer to them? That would be nice. :)

With regards to TCN, if you're paying them, sell your study guides on eBay and make a little money back.

jonathanjse · Feb 26, 2008

It sounds to me like you're making the decision to do your entire RN education at a community college because you are having trouble with the pre-reqs. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but it's pretty common for EC students to do their prerequisite courses at a community college, and then do their NC courses with EC. I'm doing A+P as an online course through a community college - it's just too large a subject for me to study without a structured class. If you think the whole EC thing just isn't your bag, that's fine, but if it's just because of the pre-reqs, there are other options than to drop out of Excelsior.

Also, about the labs - Yes, you can do labs with an online science course, but not all Brick and Mortar nursing schools will accept them ( EC will, but you should always check with them 1st anyway).

caliotter3 · Feb 26, 2008

Like jonathan said, most people take classes at traditional colleges and transfer them to Excelsior. Have you considered taking your science classes at your local cc and then transferring the credits? I'm concerned that you will be wasting the time and money you have already invested and that by dropping EC you may be in for a very long wait to get into a traditional program. Some do not get into traditional programs at all (it does happen). Then, if you decide to go the EC route again, you will have to reapply and pay all the fees again. Just make sure you consider the option of taking the classes at a local school and transferring the credits before you throw in the towel. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

TIN65RN · Feb 26, 2008

Don't Give up!Just regroup!:wink2:I agree the natural science are hard and will be easier to take at a CC.If I would have had more time to complete this program I personally would have taken A & P and Micro at CC,that way the credits would transfer to a BSN program.But I am trying to do this as quick as I can!As mentioned why not finish the rest of the EC program after your pre-recs?

As you mentioned your already paying for the books.A&P and Micro are a lot harder than the the other exams.But...Only you can decide which program best fits your needs.Good Luck!:redpinkhe

DoubleblessedRN, ADN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-P · Feb 26, 2008

Like a couple of others stated, you could check into your local community college and take the science classes. EC is pretty liberal about what they accept. They accepted all of mine, including non-sciences. And my husband knows somebody in his 50's who had credits from the 1970's that transferred. But I would call an advisor from EC first, give them your school name and course numbers to make sure they transfer. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Fancy Face · Feb 26, 2008

Thanks, everyone, for all the replies. I am going to apply to the CC. I haven't enrolled with Excelsior yet anyway. I will let you all know how it goes! :redbeathe Fancy

goodstudentnowRN · Feb 26, 2008

Yes, not everyone is motivated doing online courses. I have no problem to self study and so it is easy for me to do online courses. Also, I am a single mother with two children and two jobs. So far, I am doing great and making straight A's. Go to the Community College, this might just change your views on most things.

Fancy Face · Feb 26, 2008

Yes, not everyone is motivated doing online courses. I have no problem to self study and so it is easy for me to do online courses. Also, I am a single mother with two children and two jobs. So far, I am doing great and making straight A's. Go to the Community College, this might just change your views on most things.

It's not that I am unmotivated, I am lost beyond words. I commend you for working and having kids and going to school. I have never heard of Kaplan, is it like Excelsior? I am going to Google them...

FocusRN · Feb 27, 2008

Well like others said you can try to do A&P and Micro at a CC and still go through EC. Also, for enrolled EC students at least you can get FREE tutoring for A&P.

And, something else that I tried,when I thought of going back to traditional school; ask yourself what they have that you need. Most would answer structure and direction. Some may say for extra "teaching" but in all of the years that I was in traditional school, I remember some leading in the right direction, with homework, to help me figure it out for myself.

SO with that said, you can set up a schedule for yourself, and a lesson plan if you will, that may help.

And, one last thing, some like to do the nursing exams first. B/c they are a little more direct, and b/c once you have done all of those nursing exams, there is no way you're going to let A&P and Micro, stand in your way of getting your RN. I know I'm not. I haven't taken them yet, but I' on a roll. I won't take them until after I am CPNE eligible, but you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll just be the last pieces of the puzzle for me, and not two brick walls.

But in the end you have to do what is best for you. Good Luck!!!...

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 29, 2008

I always felt that it is better to take the sciences in an actual college rather than on line, unless you are truly crazy about science. If I were you, I would take Anatomy 1&2 and Microbiology at a traditional institution and then continue to study nursing at the College Network.