I'm a new LVN, looking to continue education. Excelsior?

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Hi. I wanted to get some feedback on this.

I am a new LVN, and I want to continue on with my education. Is Excelsior a good idea? I have heard some bad things like "It's expensive" or "I couldn't take my boards after going to Excelsior".

I'm a military wife, we move around a LOT. I'm tired of starting one nursing program, and then having to move before it's complete.

I went to Galen in Louisville, KY. Then, not even half way through, my husband got orders for us to move from Fort Knox, KY to Fort Bliss, TX. So, we decided that I would at least get my LVN(year 1=LVN, year 2=RN at Galen). So, I stayed there in Kentucky with our kids, alone, so I could at least get my LVN. Then, at graduation, he came back for us and we moved to Texas.

I took my LVN boards here in Texas, passed. :) I am still trying to find a job. It's hard. I wanted to work for the military, but I don't have 6 months experience. It's difficult getting hired on when you don't have experience. I feel like yelling, "GIVE ME A CHANCE!!!" But, of course, I don't.

So, here I am here in Texas and I want to work towards my RN. Is Excelsior a good plan? How does it work? Should I go with Community College instead?

It's really hard to do the nursing program when the military has you on the move all the time, and every nursing program is different and the credits don't always transfer! Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, you guys!

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The first thing you need to do is to insure that Excelsior is accepted by the state you plan to get your license in. If you are going to get a TX license, you are ok, at least for the time being. Go to the website of EC and look at it thoroughly. I think that EC is a very good choice for a military wife because it is a portable program. It doesn't matter where you are living while you do it. With your LVN license you don't have to take the second nursing test. You can sign up for and take the first nursing test without being enrolled. If you look on the website you will get a picture of the requirements. You can call them and talk to an advisor. Arrange to get an evaluation of prior college work. There are several ways to get the general ed credit: regular college classes, CLEP tests, DANTES tests, online courses, EC courses. All of this is explained on the website or the advisor will tell you about it. You can also do a search on this site and read many posts by people who are involved with or have graduated from EC. I would recommend it in your situation, especially if you can't guarantee that you will be in the same location throughout school. http://www.excelsior.edu

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Specializes in LTC, Urgent Care.

You also have to be self motivated to do the Excelsior program and able to learn on your own. I tried EC but found that I wasn't motivated enough to do it on my own between 3 kids and work. I enrolled in a community college this year and found that I need the structure of a brick and mortar school. I've planned my schedule so that I have time in between classes to do homework and study. I'm getting much higher grades this way so far! I think I'm a tactile learner and thrive on the "hands on" type of learning.

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I have done some online college and did really well.

I'm not trying to knock Galen by any means, but I did have to teach myself a lot of the time. It's probably partly my fault. I daydream during class and just wanna get out of there so I can go home and find a way to memorize it.

I'm leaning toward EC.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I'm enrolled in EC. I suggest checking out the "distance learning" forum to have your questions answered. I live in Georgia and we have been on a legislative roller coaster since last year and I hope all is about to be resolved. That being said, I don't regret being an EC student. I'm finished will all of the nursing exams except NC 7 and NC 3(retake) and I have a few more core courses remaining before I'm eligible for the weekend clinical. This program works for me.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i think it will be a good choice for you since you will be on the road with your family. however, please make sure before your BON in the state you are going to be apply for initial RN licensure accepts EC grads, some states have certain stipulations for allowing you to take the NCLEX or to endorse for practice in their state.

i am hoping to start the LPN-ADN program this summer with excelsior! it looks like a great choice for me, and after weighing the cost of books, credits and gas with the LPN-RN at a community college 80 miles away, excelsior is actually cheaper for me (total cost will be around $8,000).

good luck! :)

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segalpn,

How are the exams?

EC said I was ok(for boards) because I'm in Texas.

flightnurse2b,

It doesn't sound as expensive as other LPN to RN programs, huh?!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I just graduated from Excelsior and I think its an EXCELLENT program. I finished the whole program in a year. The only problem right now is Texas BON has some problems with Excelsior and gonna vote sometime this fall about the not accepting the program. You need to call the Texas BON to get details but there is also a thread on the Distance Education Board about it. Also Excelsior is not accepted in a few states and some states have work stipulations in order to practice in their state. With your family moving around alot, you could potentially run into problems. The test aren't are challeging but if you follow the content guide your should do fine. The CPNE is challegeing but very doable with you follow the studyguide and learn the critial elements. Again, Call the Texas BON and see if the will be accepting the program in the future. Right now they do but I hear that might be changing. Hang out on the Distant Education board. There are alot of students and graduates over there.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.
segalpn,

How are the exams?

EC said I was ok(for boards) because I'm in Texas.

flightnurse2b,

It doesn't sound as expensive as other LPN to RN programs, huh?!

Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you.

For me the exams remind me of NCLEX type questions; they require a lot of critical thinking and prioritizing. I would definitely recommend purchasing the EC recommended text although there are some on here that passed using only cpllege network or chancellors. If you do choose the College Network route avoid signing a contract with them; try to find the modules on Ebay. I almost signed with RUE but thank God I found this board and found out that the publishing companies are not necessary.

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I just graduated from Excelsior and I think its an EXCELLENT program. I finished the whole program in a year. The only problem right now is Texas BON has some problems with Excelsior and gonna vote sometime this fall about the not accepting the program. You need to call the Texas BON to get details but there is also a thread on the Distance Education Board about it. Also Excelsior is not accepted in a few states and some states have work stipulations in order to practice in their state. With your family moving around alot, you could potentially run into problems. The test aren't are challeging but if you follow the content guide your should do fine. The CPNE is challegeing but very doable with you follow the studyguide and learn the critial elements. Again, Call the Texas BON and see if the will be accepting the program in the future. Right now they do but I hear that might be changing. Hang out on the Distant Education board. There are alot of students and graduates over there.

Hi, I was just reading through the excelsior threads because I have been considering the progam. I read that you finished the program in one year, if you don't mind me asking, how did you finish so soon? Did you already have some college credits that transfered over? I was told by an advisor that it takes about 3 yrs for most people to complete it, so I have been a little hesitant about EC ever since.

Thank you,

Jessica

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Hi! i was wondering did you have to take microbiology or gerentology? I have to take both and bought my study guides of off ebay? Did you buy your directly from EC? How long did you study for each test? Days, weeks, months. I've been studying a couple of hours each day and want to test next week, is this long enough? Thanks, Shelly

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I'm curious as to where you are in Texas. Also, are you applying at LTCs, LTACs, and Hospitals?

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