grades?

[Medsport, LPN]

I talked to a lady about enrolling in the college network last week and almost signed up. I wanted to think it over and glad I did. I thought it sounded expensive and found out it is a rip off. I should just go thru excelsior directly. It is somewhat confusing though on how much it costs and also classes. My work will reimburse for classes if you get at least a C. But they won't pay for classes that are pass/fail. TCN said their classes were pass/fail, while excelsior's page says you get grades for all programs except the associate degrees in nursing because they are exempt from federal student financial aid. Does this mean if you have your LPN and going for the RN it does not give grades and you can't get a loan? If so, what about going for the BSN? I would like to get my RN somehow, but don't want to go back to the community college that has a 2 year wait right now, plus all the driving back and forth and clinicals. But I can't afford to pay for the online/distance learning out of pocket. Any advice or links for info would be appreciated.

[NC Girl BSN]

please disregard anything that college network people tell you. for each nursing test you take the excelsior you get a grade of a-f. the grade pops up on the screen after you take the test. you have to take test over if you make a d or f. here is a breakdown of basic cost. i recommend that you go to the ec site and download the nursing catalog and read it entirely. the website can be confusing so if your having problems, you can call the school and have them to mail you the nursing catalog and the content guides for each exam. they will mail up to 2 at a time. good luck and keep posting if you have questions. there are many here that have been through it and are willing to help.

cost for excelsior college

application --------------------$75

enrollement -------------------$895

test and exams( 8 total)--------------$235 each

practice test(opt)------------$65 each

cpne----------------------------$1900

annual fee---------------------$495

graduation fee----------------$495

other (optional) cost

workshops to help prepare for cpne

ec workshop-------------------------$755

online conferences-------------$140-275

(books, notes and cpne supplies are extra and can be purchased on ebay and half.com)

• so it cost about $5500 with no books, supplies and practice test and if you finish within one year before the annual fee rolls around.
  
• if you buy books, supplies workshop and annual fee. add about $2000 + to that because you have to cover travel expenses and hotel for cpne.
  

my grand total for ec was almost $8500.sounds like alot but i was able to maintain full-time employment and did not miss a day of work doing the whole program. the reason why there is no financial aid for the adn program because it's a test out program and there is no online component. good luck! it is a very doable program if you have the time, energy and committment.

contact information for excelsior college

excelsior college 1-888-647-2388 www.excelsior.edu

7 columbia circle

albany, ny 12203-5159

[Medsport, LPN]

Thanks for the info. So if I'm not mistaken, the prices and classes you posted were for the ADN program? I'm sure it would be a bit more for the BSN, but then you could qualify for grants and loans correct? I've got 2 associates degrees plus took a couple of the RN prerequisites when I was going for the LPN, so I may not have that many extra courses to take if I went for the BSN. It sounds like my company may pay for the classes, but its not guaranteed, plus I'm still on probation now and the company is cutting back expenses and really tightening up any OT and such, so it makes me nervous to try to sign up right now too.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

The LPN-BSN is through ISU -- there is a big, long thread on the forum somewhere for ISU students. That route does have in-person clinicals that you'd do at local facilities, but the actual classes are online.