has any one taken the rn program through excelsior college

pkapple · Apr 9, 2005

toege

Took Excelsior way back when it was still Regents. Program is not traditional, there are no classes. You are responsible to find classes or self study and then take the required exams. There are also general studies requirements-English,Math etc. The "clinical" aspect is/was the only observed part of the degree and it was the most gruesome stressful 14 hours of my life! Not teaching, just the exam was done, skills lab then 3 patients, one at a time with full care plans etc.

Basically to really take this program you need to be skilled and ready for it. I understand there are a number of programs that teach classes and do clinicals then send you off to Excelsior to get the actual degree. Also Phoenix has an online program, but not sure how any of the US programs qualify for Canandien boards.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 9, 2005

I would definitely check with your Board of Nursing to see if it is accepted in your province before you even consider the program. I will be very surprised if it is, they are quite strict there with the clinical part of a program.

Please let us know what you find out..........

Paprikat · Apr 10, 2005

I looked in to it, as it sounded too good to be true, and it was advertised in the RN Assn of B.C. magazine(!?). They said that it was definately possible that I could do all that work and they would not recognize it and "strongly" recommeded taking a recognized B.C. program. They evaluate on a case by case basis, according to the RNABC. They only accept a degree now. i asked them why they would let them advertise it in their magazine if they had no intention of recognizing it. They had no answer. Since, I would be able to write the US exam, I could become a RN in the states, but unfortunately, it is not an option.

toegemojo · Apr 10, 2005

I looked in to it, as it sounded too good to be true, and it was advertised in the RN Assn of B.C. magazine(!?). They said that it was definately possible that I could do all that work and they would not recognize it and "strongly" recommeded taking a recognized B.C. program. They evaluate on a case by case basis, according to the RNABC. They only accept a degree now. i asked them why they would let them advertise it in their magazine if they had no intention of recognizing it. They had no answer. Since, I would be able to write the US exam, I could become a RN in the states, but unfortunately, it is not an option.

Thanks for your input I suppose I'm getting tired of waiting to be accepted into a real college I would'nt mind moving to the states for awhile lots of Hospitals down there pay for your specilties if you commite for two years.

Did you look into cost at all?

Paprikat · Apr 14, 2005

I actually did look into costs. It was about two years ago. Actually it was through Distance Learning Indiana, or something like that. Anyhoo, they sold the course study guides and liased with Excelsior. I do remember I needed like 11 courses and the cost was 400 US, that did not include having to write the exams. Then there was a two day skills thingee in San Diego which was the final part and you had to pay your way, airfare, hotel, etc. It was gonna cost WAY too much, and then RNABC may not accept my credentials. It was too risky a gamble for me.

dayshiftnurse · May 9, 2005

i did the program and passed it and am now an RN. it is no longer an option in canada because they only accept bachelor degree now.

fbgbom2 · Feb 20, 2008

Hi dayshiftnurse,

I am currently a student of George Brown College in Toronto Practical Nursing program. I am in the third sem now and hoping I could get into the 4th sem this summer.

I was just wondering how you get into excelsior and is it worth it. Colleges here in Toronto are offering bridging program to BsN but takes 1 year for bridging and another 2 years for BsN in Ryerson University. I am afraid I don't have the time to go back to University anymore. I wanted to go to work as RPN and study for RN if possible. I thought of the Excelsior but I don't know how to go about it. I am also willing to move to the states if I have to.

Could you give me some feedbacks if it is worth going to EXcelsior, how much did it cost you? could you finish the program in just 1 year?

night flight · Apr 16, 2008

The other post are old. I graduated from Excelsior in 2006. Registered in Minnisota, and now going through the long process to register here in Alberta.

It can be donw in less than a year, and I know of a couple who have done such, but that is a rare exception. It is not just the nursing courses, but also the general education courses (10 for 30 credits) that need to be completed, and those may take more time. Those that I know who completed in less than a year had a degree or all of the general education curses completed.

Getting registed here is a slow process. Eventually Canada will require a degree regardless, and that will exclude Excelsior AS(n)'s.

Easire to do a Canadian program to register here. Wasn't an option for me when I started. Also easier to complete Excelsior and go to work in the US. US has lots of oprions to complete a degree, and most hospitals pay for tuition.

I think it coast me some $5500 all told in Canadian dollars, including when our dollar was low, but I have lots of general education credits form prior education.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 16, 2008

Also easier to complete Excelsior and go to work in the US. US has lots of oprions to complete a degree, and most hospitals pay for tuition.

I'm pretty sure that in order to work in the US at this time (2008) a person holding a Canadian nursing license must also be a Canadian citizen. And an RN, not an LPN. If I'm wrong I'm sure Suzanne4 will straighten me out.

dayshiftnurse · Apr 17, 2008

yeah, i finished my excelsior rn in 2003 and was registered by 2004. i had to be patient while waiting for all my paperwork to get processed, but i kind of knew it would eventually, just everything took time. that was before the new requirements to have a bsn, though.

so i took a few courses, completed my iv certificate (theory) and prepared for my licensing exam in the meantime.

its a good option now, if you want to work in the states and then complete your bsn there since american hospitals often sponser learning, perhaps come back to canada later...this all seems so silly to go through these hoops and loops to become an rn in canada! like going in a circle instead of just moving in one straight line.

i was very happy i did it this way. someone mentioned it cost them $5500!!! wow! i would have loved it if it were that cheap for me! the courses were very reasonable, but the cost of taking the clinical prep course+travel+lodgings and then the total cost of cpne (not including the time it took for me to wait to become licensed) i would say was close to $30000, correcting for the cost of the dollar (it was almost 2:1 at one point).

still this was a good option at the time. no guarantees though, very easy to fail the cpne. on my weekend, 5 of us went...only 3 of us passed. this isnt for everyone for sure.

good luck.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 20, 2008

Where one has nationality does not make a difference in terms of going to school or getting a visa in the scheme of things.

But to work in the US and be able to get a visa to do the same, it requires the RN after a name. And to get the Nafta TN Visa also requires the RN for immigration purposes.

Going to school in the US will require that you attend as a student nurse and are unable to work in most instances with that classification. You would be under the F-1 status. You are unable to get a visa to work as an LPN full-time and attend school here.

Also be aware that Excelsior is not accepted by all states. I always recommend a bridge program that can be used in every single state and is not restricted as you never know what life will bring to you later on.