Lend me your ears (or peepers)

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First off, I would like give a big HOWDY to everyone! I found this forum as I was searching for information on Excelsior.

I'm a new LPN, and I care for the veterans and injured soldiers in upstate, NY. I absolutely love what I do and the rewarding feeling I achieve, everyday, definitely compensates for my "not so big" pay check.

Though, I am a new LPN, I woud like to get crackin' on obtaining my RN (since I'm already in study mode). I was takin' a gander through the information provided by the two hospitals here that offer an AAS in Nursing but I won't be able to get in (if I do at all, they're quite competitive) until NEXT fall.

I couldn't find any information regarding Excelsior's pre-req's. I didn't take Chemistry in highschool, somehow I managed around that to take an elective Literature course :specs: . What I would like to know is if Excelsior's program is a year and a half long just like most traditional lpn-rn programs? I know it's self-paced, and I'm going to work PT so I can involve myself more in my studies, but what's the average amount of time people take to complete Excelsior (including the completion of their pre-req's)? Also, it seems pretty expensive. The Hospitals here that provide nursing education will run me about 13-15 grand. I couldn't find any financial information on the Excelsior website, but does it get that steep?

I know I want to do the Excelsior program for my BSN, but I'm not sure if it's suitable, now, to obtain my RN or if I'd be better of going to a traditional school. Especially, if it's going to take the same amount of time to complete.

If anyone can give me any advice it would be greatly appreciated. Also, I would really like to stress, for those Excelsior grads, how long it took you to complete the program.

Good day (or night) to all; take care!

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Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

I had all my pre-req's except one, plus their required information literacy course. I worked full time, have a family and took care of my mother for 7 months who had cancer. It took me 3 years to complete the EC program. Cost was $7K. Half of that was for the CPNE.

From the time that I finished the last NC exam and applied for the CPNE to the time that I got to take the CPNE and graduate and get my temp RN license was 9 months.

You are required to have the following for graduation:

Humanities 6 credit hours

Social Sciences/History 6 credit hours

Natural Sciences/Math 8 credit hours

Written English 3 credit hours

Electives 7 credit hours

Information Literacy 1 credit hour

Nursing Concept Exams 1-7 @ 4 credit hours each

CPNE exam 8 credit hours

EC has online classes and they have lists of approved online courses from other universities. They accept CLEP exams and there are EC exams in other areas that you can take for credit. You can also take courses at your local college and transfer them to EC.

I had too much going on in my life to do a traditional program. I am also in a very rural area and the closest college is an hour away. This program worked for me. However, it was not the fastest or the least expensive.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

is the information literacy some type pf computer class or something. i cannot seem to get a clear explanation of the bugger. i am taking a 4 hour microcomputer application class right now and was hoping to get out of this class. i know its 250 for the thing but that just irritates the fool out of me ....

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Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

You might as well just accept taking this class from EC. I read everything and did the online quizes before doing the final exam and it took me a week to do this. If you know a lot about computers, you could do it in less time. This class is mostly how to do research via the library thru sites that they must pay for. Also, the legal aspects of copyright laws etc.

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I am reviewing my packet, and I am stuck on something. On page 5 of the handout booklet called; Your affordable Excelsior College Degree.

as stated:

EC Portfolio Assessment:

first take 3 credit intro to prior learning and portfolio development 275.00

then 85.00 per credit awarded.

Q: What is this...? Are we paying for each credit they accept ??

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I had to take every single pre-req because the school I went to for Respiratory Therapy was not the same accredidation as Excelsior.... so I took all the pre-req classes noted by mudwoman and all the nursing concept courses in 7 months. (i did however do 2 CLEP exams Biology and Analyzing and Interpeting Literature) which gave me 6 credits each. None of it was easy but now i'm waiting to take the CPNE!

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

ok, i guess i'll just suck it up and do it... seems worthless to me!

you might as well just accept taking this class from ec. i read everything and did the online quizes before doing the final exam and it took me a week to do this. if you know a lot about computers, you could do it in less time. this class is mostly how to do research via the library thru sites that they must pay for. also, the legal aspects of copyright laws etc.
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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

which concept did you find the hardest and how long did you study for each one.

i had to take every single pre-req because the school i went to for respiratory therapy was not the same accredidation as excelsior.... so i took all the pre-req classes noted by mudwoman and all the nursing concept courses in 7 months. (i did however do 2 clep exams biology and analyzing and interpeting literature) which gave me 6 credits each. none of it was easy but now i'm waiting to take the cpne!
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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i looked this up in my book and if i remember right the portfolio assessment has something to do with the bsn program..but that is not for sure.

i am reviewing my packet, and i am stuck on something. on page 5 of the handout booklet called; your affordable excelsior college degree.

as stated:

ec portfolio assessment:

first take 3 credit intro to prior learning and portfolio development 275.00

then 85.00 per credit awarded.

q: what is this...? are we paying for each credit they accept ??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am reviewing my packet, and I am stuck on something. On page 5 of the handout booklet called; Your affordable Excelsior College Degree.

as stated:

EC Portfolio Assessment:

first take 3 credit intro to prior learning and portfolio development 275.00

then 85.00 per credit awarded.

Q: What is this...? Are we paying for each credit they accept ??

Portfolio-based assessment is a way to gain credit for work experiences, but most students choose not to go this route because you still have to register for the above course and pay for the credits, then put a lot of work into building the portfolio to demonstrate your learning.

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I thought NC 5 was hardest! Maybe because I don't deal with much behavioral health stuff... or metabolic issues as an RT. I studied about 3 hours a day for 1.5-2 weeks or until I felt comfortable (sometimes I rescheduled for 2 weeks later). I always scheduled my appointment 1 to 3 weeks ahead of time so I would have the pressure to make me study. I would take the test sooner if I was already fairly comfortable with the material, then I would just review and take practice tests.

Nate

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