Help with TCN bridge program

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Hello all,

I am new to this site and looking for any help/advice. I am currently a paramedic of 10years and now enrolled in the TCN bridge to RN program. If I knew now what I knew 2 months ago I would have selected another route, but after speaking to an attorney and the TCN legal dept, I am basically stuck. Therefore, I am trying to make the best of a bad situation and fight through it. TCN would not accept transfer credits from 2 prerequisite classes, the first being life span development psychology. I am done with the class but feel completely lost knowing what to expect for the Excelsior College exam. Can anybody please help me out and provide me wig insight as to where good prep material and practice test can be found, and has anybody taken the excelsior exam and could provide insight as to what the exam is like? Again, I understand from viewing threads on here, that I am about to receive numerous, TCN?? You're crazy, screwed, bail now etc comments, however, they legally have me bound and thus I have no choice except to fight back and prove I can complete this program as is, so please know I understand I bought into a quick talking salesman that could sell water to a well. It now I need help to push through. Can anybody please guide me through this first hurdle?

Thank you so much for any help in advance!

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

If memory serves, Excelsior provides some practice exams. Also, as you go through the modules for other "classes", you can do the practice exams through the testing sites. These are more accurate than what you will get in your modules, but doing those tests will help too. It is a shame that TCN pops up so easily and "seems" like a good way to go, but they are quite expensive and one can do a lot on their own then signing up for a school. Good luck!

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Just to clarify, are you talking about the TCN testing site or another outside source like SG101?

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I did chancellors learning system and it was a huge mistake!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Have you spoken with Excelsior to get the real scoop? TCN is, as you know, a publishing company and not a school and is in no position to accept or reject anything. Call the school.

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You asked for good prep material and practice tests, but that is supposed to be what you are paying TCN all that money for. You should not have to go anywhere else for study material. More people report that they are happy with the study material provided by SG101. I would check them out. And you can always get copies of the texts and other references listed at the back of the Excelsior study guides. You can use interlibrary loan services to check out texts from libraries for free. That is how I did it back in the stone age.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Have you applied to EC? Have you enrolled at EC?

TCN is in no position to evaluate previous coursework, they have no authority. You need to have your transcripts and credentials evaluated by EC. You may very well receive credit for this course. Since TCN is a publishing company neither affiliated with nor endorsed by EC you need to utilize the EC syllabus (exam content guides) to ensure you are accurately prepared for the challenge exams.

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Check with EC, I bet they accept your life span development class.

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Thank you all for the comments, and I will do exactly that first thing Monday morning. Again, I thank you all so much for the advice and direction.

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If you are stuck with TCN material, by all means, do use it. I bought some used TCN materials off EBay for a few bucks and found it to be really helpful for Micro and Maternal. I am finished with the program now, all but the gauntlet CPNE. But, if I were you and you already have the resource of TCN study guides, publishing company or not, just use it and pass and be done!😄 With your background, it may turn out to be a faster way for your to get through. Hope this is helpful, just trying to make lemon drops out of lemons here.

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I was caught in the TCN web too. Spinning my wheels for 2 years because my confidence in their program has been near zero. I am glad to have access to this info here. Thanks to all who commented and I wish you success. It sounds like those of us caught up with TCN need to use them as a secondary source; use their study materials plus Excelsior's etc... and direct any real questions to Excelsior. I am furious at TCN for selling us "snake oil". I hope there is a class action suit someday!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I was caught in the TCN web too. Spinning my wheels for 2 years because my confidence in their program has been near zero. I am glad to have access to this info here. Thanks to all who commented and I wish you success. It sounds like those of us caught up with TCN need to use them as a secondary source; use their study materials plus Excelsior's etc... and direct any real questions to Excelsior. I am furious at TCN for selling us "snake oil". I hope there is a class action suit someday!

There are several class action suits as well as a currently active investigation by the FTC. An Indiana paper wrote an expose not too long ago

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