I need advice on where to go from here....

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Hi, everyone!! I need some help deciding how to get an ADN. First, a little background: I graduated (as valedictorian of my class :monkeydance: ) May 2005 from practical nursing. It was one of the hardest things I or my family has ever done!! My husband and I have been married 8 years almost and are buying our first house (we close Oct 20). He wants me to be an RN, but doesn't want to go through the whole school thing again. I also have to work full time for obvious reasons. So, we've been thinking that Excelsior would be the way to go for us. However, (more boring background), I had my first baby when I was 17. I graduated top 10% of my class a year early and had been accepted to every college I'd applied to. Of course, I had to give all of that up to start raising a family. I really, really want the experience of going to a real college! I feel really guilty for wanting to actually attend class again because I know the hell my poor kids and husband went through while I did that the first time. I don't know much about Excelsior. I've heard good and bad things about it. Will my student loan from LPN go on hold until I graduate? Will I have a hard time finding a job if I go through there? How quickly can I get through the classes? I have an appointment next Monday with a College Network guy to discuss this further, but just wondered if anyone could help me out with some of questions before I speak with him. Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

P.S. I love this website!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

For your info: College Network is merely an overpriced publishing company that sells materials for Excelsior. Do not go through College Network, because you can pruchase the same Excelsior materials on http://www.Ebay.com for half the price.

Excelsior is good in that it permits you to earn your RN license on your own schedule. Excelsior is bad because it is not accepted by every state's board of nursing.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

PLEASE head to the distance learning forum and read the threads on the college network. You can get your degree from Excelsior much much cheaper without using a publishing company. They charge anywhere from $300-450 per study guide and you can get outlines for free from EC (excelsior) and then buy your stuff on e-bay for a little of nothing. you may also want to try some of the messge boards for EC on yahoo groups.I know you can get your study guids fot cheap. Someone had there stuff for sale on there the other day all 7 study guides for $160 or so...The college network makes it all sound real good but you pay out the bootie....Do your research before you sign.....

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Thanks for the advice! I'll look into all of this later this weekend. The guy from College Network is coming out Monday morning.

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Thanks for the advice! I'll look into all of this later this weekend. The guy from College Network is coming out Monday morning.

Don't sign anything !!!!

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why shouldn't I sign anything?

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Specializes in Rehab, Corrections, LTC, and Detox Nurse.

she doesn't want you t sign something committing yourself because it's not the best route

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
why shouldn't I sign anything?

It is unwise to sign anything from College Network because, as I said earlier, they're nothing more than an overpriced publishing company that you can do without. The study materials purchased from them simply lead back to Excelsior College, but at a substantial cost. If you plan to receive your education from Excelsior, pruchase the study materials from http://www.Ebay.com or elsewhere.

The College Network is an unnecessary middleman.

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OK, so I'm looking on ebay and I see all of these study guides. How do I know which ones I need to purchase? How does Excelsior know I am taking their courses? Do I just buy these study guides, then sit for NCLEX? (I know I may sound stupid, but when it comes to this, I really kind of am! :uhoh21: )

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.

Ok, we are in the EXACT SAME BOAT. I also graduated at the top of my class, I also had a child at 16-17. I have been married for over 11 years, and have 2 kids. Reading this post is almost like reading my diary.

DO NOT GO THRU ANYTHING BUT EXCELSIOR. The college network people are only publishing guys. When you talk to him on Monday, he will tell you that you will end up going thru excelsior (EC) anyway. Also, ask about the wait for the clinicals. I called 3 months ago and was told that the clinicals would take almost 16 months to get into. I was told last month that it takes 4-6 months to get into the clinical after you finish all 7 classes.

Also, when you sign with CN, you sign a contract. You have to pay for everything. Even if something happens and you decide to go a different route, you still pay. When you go via EC, you can almost pay as you go. I have been told, and it is on the website excelsior.edu that you can pay out any and all fees. I was able to borrow texts from friends and really read thru the first nursing concepts. I have been flipping back and forth to be honest.

Like you, I want that college feeling. I have to say, and will probley get flamed here, but FOR ME, LVN was harder than my prereqs. I think that I could handle the RN ADN with better leverage for many reasons. The first is that my family already understands how important this is to me, and we have already done this for several years. (getting the LVN and prereqs.) Also, THIS IS WHAT I WANT. I know I learn better in a class setting. Also, I am able to get the student loans, and Pell grant to help. With EC and CN, you pay everything. No loans, and no pell grant.

Also, I do not know where you live, but if I am going to put my family thru all this, I want them to see me walk across a stage. You are able to do this with EC, but you have to go to NY. My family is not able to afford this.

DO NOT LET ANYONE PUSH YOU INTO SIGNING ANYTHING UNTIL YOU ARE READY. Come back and talk to us and get the good and bad feedback.

I went ahead and payed the money to see what exactly I would have to pay for EC, but because of this board, I understand the big difference between EC and CN.

to clarify, CN is a publishing company. They send you materials, books, ect. You pay them to pay EC for your degree. In the end, CN is a middle man that is not necessary.

Good luck, and if needed PM me. I will give you my number and we can talk over the phone. This is a very important thing, and you need support from every aspect of your life.

Another good point, someone already made, is that several states, California being one of them, does not recognize EC,CN or Rue.

Sorry for the lenght, it is that I have been doing alot of thinking on this. Good luck. Texas

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I've been reading the other posts about EC vs. CN. I think I get what everyone is saying now, but I still am not sure how to go through JUST EC. The stage thing is important to me; however, I'm willing to just get through it and sit for the NCLEX. I live in Ohio, and as far as I can tell, OBN does accept EC grads. To clarify, I want the whole college experience soley for myself (which is why I feel guilty for even considering it), but I think it would be much better for my family if I go through EC considering no time away from home, if the kids have a game or concert I can go, if hubby needs wifey time I can stay home, etc. UGH! I really, really want to move on to bigger and better things, but hate trying to figure out the best way to do it! You all have been so very helpful with all of your input. Please keep inputting, lol!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.

I understand what you are saying about the husband and kids. I completely understand about the whole wanting a college experience.

Go to excelsior.edu or click on the purple sponsored link to the right----- fill out the paperwork, send in your money, I think it is 75 dollars now, send in your transcripts, and after they have received all your paperwork, give them 2-3 weeks to get back to you. they will let you know what you need, unless you have all your pre-reqs. They will also be able to tell you are better estimate of the costs. Be agressive and ask questions.

Also, think of it this way. I understand you want to college experience. I do. I also know that I will continue for my BSN, at which time I will be able to go one-two classes at a time, and it will not be soooo time consumming. When you start making the RN money, it will be easier on you and your family. this will allow you to get the college experience and make it easier on your family.

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