LPN to RN Research

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Hey there!

I'm new here.

I've been researching different LPN to RN homestudy programs. So far istudysmart looks like a good choice for me.

No contracts, seems more reasonable cost wise, go at own pace, uses Excelsior College testing. Only down side is no clinicals except for a $1700 pass/fail test at the very end.

Any input?

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Specializes in corrections, LTC, pre-op.
Hey there!

I'm new here.

I've been researching different LPN to RN homestudy programs. So far istudysmart looks like a good choice for me.

No contracts, seems more reasonable cost wise, go at own pace, uses Excelsior College testing. Only down side is no clinicals except for a $1700 pass/fail test at the very end.

Any input?

You need clinical practice with Excelsior. I used Chancellor's. 90% + pass rate.

Larry RN

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Chancellor's has a clinical class?

I talked to a '99 graduate of Chancellor in my area who did not get any nursing clinicals.

I will look it up, but if you have any more input, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks for your reply!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

As far as I know, the programs you're describing are only publishing companies that produce study materials that are alleged to help you pass the Nursing Concepts examinations at Excelsior College. Any degree you receive is through Excelsior College. The "clinical" is not instructional; it's a three day examination. You are expected to already have mastered the critical elements in clinical practice. There is NO instruction at the bedside.

Excelsior College publishes its own study guides and makes them available through their website www.excelsior.edu

PLEASE research their website before you sign any contract with any publishing company. These companies often claim a relationship with Excelsior, which the college denies.

Good luck.

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Thank you Don!

That is what I am trying to find out.

When I look at Excelsior though, I have only been able to find "online" classes.

I DO NOT want to sit at a computer to try to learn. I won't succeed.

I need texts and study guides or work books. I need someone I can contact via phone for help when needed. The computer takes way too much time for me.

Have you completed your RN through Excelsior? If not where and was it a home study program?

Did you get clinical experience other than working in a hospital setting?

The hospitals in my area do not hire LPN's.

Joy

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Specializes in corrections, LTC, pre-op.
You need clinical practice with Excelsior. I used Chancellor's. 90% + pass rate.

Larry RN

I'm a 2007 graduate of Excelsior College. Chancellor's is a publishing company that has a prep class to help prepare you for a very difficult clinical 3 day test with Excelsior. Its not just sitting at the computer; you have text books just like a brick and mortar school. If your not disciplined you may want to go to a brick and mortar school.

Good Luck either way!

Larry RN in Fla

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I agree that one would need the discipline necessary to sit down at a regularly scheduled time and do the studying on one's own. When I was evaluating nursing programs, I researched many, including Excelsior. I found that I don't have the discipline that a self guided study program requires, so I opted to attend a nursing program at a college near me. The structure is more to my learning style.

That's not to take anything away from anyone who has opted to study at Excelsior. Many Excelsior graduates post here and I know them to be intelligent, clinically proficient and academically sound nurses. My concern is that publishing companies sometimes make their product seem indispensable, when the same information (study guides) and services (clinical workshops) are included in the tuition paid to Excelsior.

Also, to the best of my knowledge and memory, courses are not taught. The school publishes a material information study guide which describes what material will be tested, and they suggest various readings in various textbooks and other media. How you obtain the information to be tested is completely up to the individual student. The test is administered by computer; the course is not. You test when you are ready, and you have no deadlines. But someone at the school is not teaching you the information. And if you're bound and determined to purchase any sort of study materials outside of Excelsiors domain, then I would suggest you go right to eBay. Lots of them are available for a fraction of the cost of any new materials directly from the publishers.

This link https://allnurses.com/forums/f125/ will take you to the Distance Learning forums. Please read many of the threads here. You'll find others who have similar questions, others who have been through the program, others who find the additional study guides worth the time and money, and others yet who can answer more of your questions.

I wish you much luck and success!

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I'm going to www.excelsior.edu and am using nothing but Excelsior's study guides AND taking the practice exams. Much cheaper than anything else.

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thanks Larry I was just in a brick and mortar school and had to withdraw because I had a seizure and I am not sure of what to do at this point I have all of my core done and Excellsior states that I can exempt Nursing 101 because I am a LPN please advise I am trying to decide whether to go back to school next year or do Excellsior

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Specializes in all types, everything from acute care to.

very difficult to chose a home study.... way back in the day 'regents' was the course to choose... i think that is excelsior now i am trying the old fashion way ... schoolllll!! yikes , and after 20 years as lvn here in california.. i must be nuts

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Specializes in all types, everything from acute care to.

how do you like excelsior???

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Specializes in corrections, LTC, pre-op.

thanks Larry I was just in a brick and mortar school and had to withdraw because I had a seizure and I am not sure of what to do at this point I have all of my core done and Excellsior states that I can exempt Nursing 101 because I am a LPN please advise I am trying to decide whether to go back to school next year or do Excellsior
Hi Pebbles,

First of all I hope your medical problems are under control. I suggest brick and mortar if you can go full time! If you have to work like I did then Excelsior is for you. Remember with Excelsior you must be disciplined in your study habits.

Good luck,

Larry RN in Fla Excelsior Grad

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