Is Excelsior RN Program a good program??

BarbaraNM, ASN, RN · May 18, 2013

Hello,
I am finishining up my last semester of schooling in the Respiratory Care program, and I am also a EMT (my job that im currently in and have been doing for over 14 years).
One of my major long term goals however always has been to be a CRNA.
2 years ago, I choose Respiratory over Nursing because of two reasons: #1 was the affordable schools in my area had long wait lists (1 year to 2 years) regardless of high grades, and the RC program didnt have one, and #2...I thought Respiratory would give me a nice "foundation" into CRNA school and also look good on an application.
The plan that I had was 1 of 2 options:
Plan A: I already hold a bachelors degree in Psychology, so I was looking at accelerated BSN programs
Plan B: Excelsior RN.....This is the plan I am leaning towards because it is BY FAR the most cost effective, cheapest, most convienient.
My state (New York), where Excelsior is located accepts Excelsior obviously, and I just wanted to know if anyone thought this was a good program?
I am most concerned about the CPNE exam because i've heard horror stories about that.
I am also concerned about the lack of clinicals? How much of a difference does this make if you get hired at a hospital from the moment of orientation to actually working on the floor?

Hi,

I am a Paramedic who enrolled in Excelsior last September. I completed my last pre-requisite in March and also took the first Nursing Exam... Health Safety. Health Differences and Chronicity both scheduled in the next 5 weeks. For me, and my schedule, Excelsior is the ONLY way to go!

Here is a great link to hopefully answer many of your questions:

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-distance-808335.html

GOOD LUCK!!

Tall Boy · Jul 11, 2013

Since tour goal is be IN ANESTHESIA field why don't you try Anesthesia PA programs. It's offered only by four universities.

No more Nursing field.

You would really qualify for their masters program. Try Anesthesia Assistant.com

So smart · Jul 11, 2013

true thats why there is a list of state on excelsior website which has their own rules on how a excelsior grad can become licensed. But for some reason these are New because up until around 2006 all of the states didn't have a problem licensing EC grads, matter of fact no reasearch has been done to prove that EC grad nurses are worst off then traditional school nurses. But if you were to check the 2012 Nclex pass rate you would see that Excelsior had a 86% pass rate which is nation wide the norm, but what isn't told is that excelsior sent out over 2000 students and over 1600 passed the first time. The other states are just protecting their pockets, think about it.

So smart · Jul 11, 2013

for me i'm using a prep school called achieve test prep to get me through the excelsior program. they create a classroom type environment and i have to say that is the best way for me. yes its an extra cost but i will do what i need to do to get my RN.

HealthKibitz · Mar 11, 2014

Regarding EXCELSIOR and living in states other than New York, I am in Georgia. Georgia wants to see more didactic experience - so basically the difference is that once you complete Excelsior, you "may" have to complete an additional 350 to 450 hours (or so) of actual work-related experience PRIOR to being able to sit for the NCLEX-RN. If you are working part-time or full-time somewhere while attending Excelsior, you will probably be given credit for experience there. If you have NO experience as a nurse (from what I understand) upon completion of the Excelsior RN program, you would probably have to get those hours in - and the hours may be hours that need to be fulfilled in specific areas - say mental health. It is "individualized" there. The Georgia Licensing Board will make that determination once you apply to sit for the NCLEX. If they don't see the hours they want, they will come back and tell you so. Probably would not take that long to meet the requirements though.

So smart · Mar 11, 2014

Each state has their own rules you can call the board of nursing in your state to see what their requirement is for licensing. P.s I decide not to use achieve prep as the extra cost was to much. I'm using studygroup101 and loving their material.

AH88 · Jul 21, 2018

for me i'm using a prep school called achieve test prep to get me through the excelsior program. they create a classroom type environment and i have to say that is the best way for me. yes its an extra cost but i will do what i need to do to get my RN.

How did the program work out for you? I am considering this route, as well. I have been an LPN/LVN for 15 years. (licensed in California, originally, currently in Arizona) I have 2 kiddos, and am working so I think this will be my best option.

Do you have any advice for me? Did the Achieve program work for you?

Elinah05 · Sep 3, 2018

I'm looking for on LPN-RN program online , any advice?