I need some advice with regards to Excelsior College, first let me explain my situation briefly then hopefully it will be easier to answer my question. I am currently an LPN however I already completed a 4 year BSN program with honors only to be terminated at the end because I couldn't pass the hesi exit exam out of the school, we had three shots but I couldn't do it, the anxiety was too overwhelming by the third time and I think I buckled, anyhow I had enough clinical hours to sit for my LPN boards and passed them on the first attempt, needless to say the debt I incurred during those 7 years of school and for going to a private, catholic college has now become a mortgage.
For my question, I am currently enrolled with TCN ( the college network ) and will soon be taking my first NC exam for excelsior's colleges LPN-ASN program. I reside in CT and was wondering if there is anyone out there who had graduated from EC recently and if you have any studying tips or advice to be successful on the nursing exams? The study material that TCN gave me seems very straight forward and the information doesn't appear to be too difficult as I have already gone through a traditional 4 year nursing program. Also I have heard about the difficulties some have had with the CPNE, can anyone recommend a good site and also a good workshop prior to testing? My plans were to go to New York for the CPNE because it appears to be the closest to me. I have taken several online classes so this program through excelsior seems like it would be a great fit for me, working and being a mom etc. and also I can't fathom having to go through another traditional program starting all over and having to redo my sciences again, I have invested too much money and I am not getting any younger.
It's taken a year all together..but I had to take all my pre reqs first. Yeah, I've taken them all about 4-5 weeks apart. Some I've only taken 3 weeks on...what I usually do is schedule my test first for about 3-4 weeks aways as soon as I start a module, that way I have a 'deadline'. Of course, you can always rescheudle if you dont feel ready, or move it up, if you feel confident. Another thing, take the practice exams from excelsior.They are worth every penny :)
It's taken a year all together..but I had to take all my pre reqs first. Yeah, I've taken them all about 4-5 weeks apart. Some I've only taken 3 weeks on...what I usually do is schedule my test first for about 3-4 weeks aways as soon as I start a module, that way I have a 'deadline'. Of course, you can always rescheudle if you dont feel ready, or move it up, if you feel confident. Another thing, take the practice exams from excelsior.They are worth every penny :)
Do you work and have any kids? Just curious what your balancing and how its working for you?
I have 2 kids...i was working while i was completing the prereqs, but it was really tough so I quit and just focused on getting it over with. I spend several hours a day on it...about the only day I dont study at least some is Sunday.
I have 2 kids...i was working while i was completing the prereqs, but it was really tough so I quit and just focused on getting it over with. I spend several hours a day on it...about the only day I dont study at least some is Sunday.
I have two kids but I already have my pre reqs done b.c my orginal goal was the RN program but ended up in the LPN b.c I didnt want to wait. Now Im trying to work and start the program with E.C
Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
Hi there, i'm working through the program with EC as well! I'm scheduled to take Health & Safety this saturday!
I work full time M-F 630a-500p (get an hour for lunch and i study everyday during that hour) I have three kids (5, 4 & 2) and I try to study each night after kids in bed for an hour or two, then i study off and on during the weekend whenever i can get it in! This was the best option for me.
I orig set up H&S to take me 7wks to study...well after 3 wks i was done with the required reading (i am only using the practice exams from EC and the recommended textbooks in earlier editions) and got good enough scores on teh practice exams so that i moved my testing date from the week of June 7th to this weekend instead.
I'm going to take care of A&P next...yikes!
Just wanted to say good luck to all and i think things will work our well if you just put your mind to it!
hi hollyberryh20 and anyone esle that can help me out,
i'm in a lpn course and graduate in june. i am interested in getting as much info as possible on college network. i'm not sure which way to go for my rn traditional or college network. im wondering what kind of support i will have when it comes to the big tests and clinics. i'm a single mom so i would like some flexiblity. thanks in advance for any suggestions...
Please stay away from The College Network. You do not need another $5000 contract to pay out in order to get an ASN from Excelsior College. Go to the EC website: http://www.excelsior.edu and do some investigating. Also spend some time on the distance learning forum here. If you want to use study guides published by The College Network for EC nursing exams, buy them for $15 to $30 apiece on ebay.
Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.
ditto on what caliotter said! Also don't forget, just pay the $75 application fee to get your unofficial transcript review done and then you can take any gen ed requirements and two of the nursing exams before having to actually enroll and pay the enrollment fee to EC!! Saves you a bit of money on not having to pay the yearly student fee if you can get the rest of your exams done before it's due again! =)
And yes i will let you all know how i do on H&S on saturday once i get home!!! =) gotta go for now, kids are in bed and i need to look up a few more things i wasn't getting right on the practice exam!! =)
Someone from College Network came to my class and a few of my class mates are planning to go on to RN through them because they say that College Network guarantees then passing and Excelsior doesn't. I was also told that depending on where you live you may not get good support with Excelsior so I was a little concerned about that. Now I'm also wondering if I can get financial aid through Excelsior. Do you know anyone that has used College Network ?
I'm using them...and I wouldnt recommend anyone who hasn't already signed the contract to go through them, however if you've already "sunk" yourself like i did, then yes, you can make it using their material, if you supplement some. The guarentee is something like "if you fail the test twice, they will get you a tutor for the third attempt" but that's not really impressive, considering you are paying $500 per module...and it all boils down to the fact you are taking ECE's exams anyway. College Network is ONLY a printing company...they visited our school too. Couple of us went for it. All of us regretted it later. You can always find the modules on Ebay for a little of nothing if you wanted some extra reading.
OMG! I'm so sorry you guys are having this experience as if school isn't difficult enough at times...So I guess I'm just wondering now what is the point of CN than? They made it sound so much more positve than EC. We are upstate NY and he made it sound like CN had more support to offer.
LA♥Nurse
70 Posts
It's taken a year all together..but I had to take all my pre reqs first. Yeah, I've taken them all about 4-5 weeks apart. Some I've only taken 3 weeks on...what I usually do is schedule my test first for about 3-4 weeks aways as soon as I start a module, that way I have a 'deadline'. Of course, you can always rescheudle if you dont feel ready, or move it up, if you feel confident. Another thing, take the practice exams from excelsior.They are worth every penny :)