LPN to RN online programs difficulties TCN or Excelsior

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Hi there everybody. I have spoken to a rep for College Network to get my RN online. It all sounded great till I heard some news from other people who have taken online courses.

Because the exams and clinicals are through Exelcior, I have heard that the online courses are not bad but the clinical portion in which you have to pass is brutal. I have heard from those that have had experience under their belt, they still end up failing the clinical portion of it. I don't want to spend money if the farthest I can get is failing the clinical portion and having to spend more money on the trip and lodging.

Anybody out there that can give me some advice. I have also heard that the wait list for clinical exam is sooooo looongg.

Last but not least, I have heard that you don't actually get license in your home state but New York. Is this making any sense.

Would love to hear back from anybody

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

A good place to start: https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/excelsior-college-info-385571.html

The College Network does NOT grant degrees. You'll be going through Excelsior College (EC) anyway. My advice? Skip the middleman, go directly to EC. Otherwise you're unnecessarily adding thousands of dollars to the cost of earning your degree.

I am an EC grad, but I am licensed in Virginia. You will be licensed in the state in which you live, as long as they accept the EC degree.

Welcome to the distance learning forum! :)

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Did you do the LPN to RN bridge. How about clinicals, I heard it was a long wait and that the passing rate isn't that good. Is it that hard?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

No, I was never an LPN -- I'm a paramedic. The clinicals are do-able with preparation. Many of us on this forum have become RNs through Excelsior.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

EC grad here with less than 2 years of LPN expereince. You will here all kinds of opinions about EC ADN program. Some of the things you here, you need to take it with a grain of salt. The exams are challeging but can be passed with good study habits. The CPNE is tough, I won't lie but its more nerves than anything. EC gives you all the tools and resources to help you prepare. Its up to you to take advantage of the different opportunities. There are several EC graduates on this board and we are happy with our degrees. About 59% pass the CPNE the first time. Alot more pass the second time. If you want to become an RN and your dedicated to self pace studying, then I recommend Excelsior. You MUST check with you BON to see if EC is accepted in your state. Skip TCN and buy the modules on Ebay for a fraction of the originial cost. Good Luck and keep us posted.

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TCN is a publishing company that sells the student study guides for a contract in excess of $5000. Their study guides can be purchased used on ebay for $15 to $30. There are other low cost or free resources out there. You can read about the publishing companies in the many threads and posts on Excelsior College in the distance learning forum. Your best source of info is the EC website http://www.excelsior.edu or a direct phone call to an EC advisor.

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