I got my acceptance into Excelsior and now I am waiting to see if my classes will transfer. I have taken a bulk of the pre-reqs at my cc for the ASN program. I just need to complete my sciences. I am so happy I went thru with this decision to further my degree online. I have been stalking the EC threads for over a year and got the push when my co-worker broke the information down and told me how much she enjoyed it and of course the reviews here.
I currently have my BA in business. I have been struggling the CC to get my pre-reqs for their nursing program, they keep changing the requirements, so I feel like I have constant set backs. The LPN program is a lot simpler, they do not have as many requirements, so I have been thinking about just taking the LPN program and then finishing the RN at Exelsior. What worries me is I have read some posts that some states, CA in particular will not license an Exelsior grad. I live in WI. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. Also I worry that if WI will license an Exelsior grad, if they change the licensing requirements later, can they revoke your license?
From what I have seen. If a state decides not to accept the school and you are already enrolled, they usually will have a cut off date for you to be finished. Call your local BON and see if they accept EC and if there are any additional requirements needed.
Cali no longer accepts EC grads sine 2003. I did read in a post where someone said that they accepted EC grads on a case by case basis. IDK.From what I here on other boards, it is difficult to get a nursing job in Cali. Too many nurses and not enough jobs.
Specializes in LTC, Urogynecology, Nurse Management,.
Hi NC Girl,
I just got off the phone with Excelsior, where I spoke with (moderator edit of name), she was very helpful in directing me to the publications area which broke down all the pre req's etc. Looks like a ton of work! Dont get me wrong, I knew this wasnt going to be a walk in the park. I'm just going to take it one step at a time, deep breaths,
I just wonder if you know, of the General education requirements, what can i clep? I believe this will be a bit easier on my pocket if I try to clep some of these. Any thoughts?
I took the "Introductory Sociology" CLEP to satisfy EC's sociology requirement -- I believe they suggested their own "Gerontology" exam for that one. For Lifespan Developmental Psychology, I did the "Human Growth and Development" CLEP. One thing I'd do is get permission from EC in writing to use these CLEPs for credit -- you can send a message to faculty through the message center, linked from your "MyEC" page.
For the other general ed credits, I'm not sure what they'll take -- I had a huge number of credits coming in to EC. But I'd make a list of any that seemed applicable to the subject matter, and ask EC about each one. There are several that they take, I believe. Good luck!!
Specializes in LTC, Urogynecology, Nurse Management,.
Thank you so much for your help! As I'm sure you know, this is all alot to take in. I would like to get everything moving as soon as possible so that I do not fall into another year of wishing I had. I will be asking EC about which courses they will let me clep.
So I have been on and off the allnurses forum since last year when I started my prereq's. Now I can finally apply after this semester; will just need micro in Spring but can apply at my community college. I have heard of Excelsior (did I spell that right?) but had NO IDEA you could do the ADN on-line. How do you learn/get clinical stuff? It just sounds too good to be true. Can any of you in the ADN program tell me what you've heard from other people, comparing it to a regular community college ADN program? I mean why doesn't everybody do it on-line?? if possible. I am a mom of two and also work while taking 13 credit hours at my community college, and I have a great GPA and my instructors tell me I'll most likely get accepted even with micro "in progress" when I apply -- so I am not concerned about getting accepted where I am now, but to be able to do it online with work and two kids . . . it just sounds too good to be true. Please give me any info at all of firsthand experience, and I'll keep reading posts in my spare time LOL; 3 exams next week and moving next weekend, so I surely can't weed through all the posts right now, so if anybody can reply to this post and give me their input/advice about Excelsior; with it being NLNAC accredited, it sounds like it's the real deal. Let me know what it's like, especially clinicals??
Excelsior is not an online program. You'll study at home and take the tests at a PearsonVue testing center. It's not an easy program and takes alot of motivation and self-determination to be successful. The clinical is a 2 1/2 day exam that will be testing basic critical elements. Go to www.excelsior.edu to receive an information packet that will explain more about the program. Also you can search on this forum to find out more info about Excelsior and the clinical exam. To warn you: there are going to be some negative comments about Excelsior, so don't let those scare you away!
So I have been on and off the allnurses forum since last year when I started my prereq's. Now I can finally apply after this semester; will just need micro in Spring but can apply at my community college. I have heard of Excelsior (did I spell that right?) but had NO IDEA you could do the ADN on-line. How do you learn/get clinical stuff? It just sounds too good to be true. Can any of you in the ADN program tell me what you've heard from other people, comparing it to a regular community college ADN program? I mean why doesn't everybody do it on-line?? if possible. I am a mom of two and also work while taking 13 credit hours at my community college, and I have a great GPA and my instructors tell me I'll most likely get accepted even with micro "in progress" when I apply -- so I am not concerned about getting accepted where I am now, but to be able to do it online with work and two kids . . . it just sounds too good to be true. Please give me any info at all of firsthand experience, and I'll keep reading posts in my spare time LOL; 3 exams next week and moving next weekend, so I surely can't weed through all the posts right now, so if anybody can reply to this post and give me their input/advice about Excelsior; with it being NLNAC accredited, it sounds like it's the real deal. Let me know what it's like, especially clinicals??
Thanks for the info; at least I know how they do some of it! I did download a brochure earlier (24 pages) but have been working and packing all day. Self motivation I am not worried about, been working at home for about 14 years doing medical transcription and for 10 of those years it was production only; some girls like it and some don't, so it does take a certain person I think to have some discipline and as you said the motivation to do something on their own. I will look into it for sure. Thanks again.
Thanks for the info; at least I know how they do some of it! I did download a brochure earlier (24 pages) but have been working and packing all day. Self motivation I am not worried about, been working at home for about 14 years doing medical transcription and for 10 of those years it was production only; some girls like it and some don't, so it does take a certain person I think to have some discipline and as you said the motivation to do something on their own. I will look into it for sure. Thanks again.
You can't do Excelsior unless your are a LPN, Paramedic, MD, Midwife, Respiratory Therapist or Completed 50% of a traditional RN program. Its a program that is designed for people with previous clinical experience.
If your onlu degree is Medical Transcription, then this program is not for you.
I am still waiting on my official review, but I'm thinking of just enrolling and at least get that part out of the way and then be able to start. I'm very excited and can't wait to add two more letters to the end of my name.
Hi Liz, I'm currently working on my RN through EC and the cost of coorifice was one of my concerns also because I to am a single parent of (1). EC does have some payment options and some fin. aid. You can pay for the CPNE in 3-4 payment I believe. I'm currently finishing up 3 preqs using the TCN (I know, I know) but I signed the dotted line before finding this site, so I have to make the best of it. Thank God that I didnt signup for the nursing mods. only the preqs. I'm going to use the studygroup101 notes, buy a used FON book, used med surg book and used peds book. I have an exam on Thursday to take and my goal is to be finished by Dec 2010 (I pray).
Specializes in LTC, Urogynecology, Nurse Management,.
Crystal,
Thanks for the info, it is encouraging hearing from someone who is essentially in the same boat. I appreciate your ideas and insight. I have looked into the study101 material and plan on using that as well. I wasnt sure if I wanted to try to clep some of my pre req's or not...I have absolutely no college credits to transfer, so I have to have everything! I really do dread the pre req's more so than the actual nursing modules. Sounds strange but I really have an issue with micro.. I want to do this as cheap as possible as I am sure you do too. Hey dont forget to check into scholorships through EC as well, they do have them and I know you need to fill out a FAFSA to be considered.
I would love to finish this up asap as I am sure that is your goal too. I wish you nothing but the best and good luck on your test Thursday. What will you be taking? Did you have any transfer credits at all?
Please keep me posted as to how you are doing, as I said it's nice to know someone is experiencing these challenges as well. We can do it! What a great lesson for our children as well
Please dont be too hard on yourself about TCN like you said, at least it was only for pre req's...In the long run, it isn't going to matter as long as you pass.
Hi Liz, girl PLEASE dont let the fact that you dont have any preqs to transfer in bother you, (PLEASE dont). I didnt have any either. I'm clepping all of my preqs except English (which I'm taking in the winter sem at a local college), taking it online. I just dont feel I can clep Eng for some reason.
I do know about the EC sch. too thats for the info. You can do this Liz!!! Sometimes it just takes alittle supoort from someone in the same boat to make you believe it. I'm going to tell you what I did recently, that I hadnt did at first. I sat down with a printed outline of EC nursing program and looked at what I had to take vs what I have already taken. Then I wrote down what I needed to take including preqs and nursing. I then got my calender and wrote down study start and stop dates for each class (any where for 4-6wks depending on the classs) after that I wrote beside it a test date of which I plan to test. I also put like a 3-4 break in between each test. I have this goal outline in my study manuel and look at it everyday to keep me motivated and with this site.
My study habits are: after my son is settled and in the bed 8:30-9pm then I start. Studying everyday any where from 2-3 hours a night. I do break on friday nights though.
.
By the way I to am scared of the mirco but my co-worker has already taken it and she made an A. And we can to!
Dont get me wrong, I knew this wasnt going to be a walk in the park. I'm just going to take it one step at a time, deep breaths, 
I want to do this as cheap as possible as I am sure you do too. Hey dont forget to check into scholorships through EC as well, they do have them and I know you need to fill out a FAFSA to be considered.
NC Girl BSN
1,845 Posts
From what I have seen. If a state decides not to accept the school and you are already enrolled, they usually will have a cut off date for you to be finished. Call your local BON and see if they accept EC and if there are any additional requirements needed.
Cali no longer accepts EC grads sine 2003. I did read in a post where someone said that they accepted EC grads on a case by case basis. IDK.From what I here on other boards, it is difficult to get a nursing job in Cali. Too many nurses and not enough jobs.