Need Advice Desperately!!!

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I'm currently enrolled in Excelsior's nursing program. I've only taken 1 exam in 18 months and I'm not doing very well keeping up with getting the nursing sequence done. My problem is that I'm not disciplined enough to study on my own and the CPNE is really freaking me out (from what I have read about it).

I'm seriously considering going back to the community college in my area and just getting the last year over and done with. I've been an LPN for 2 1/2 years in subacute rehab and really want to go on and get my RN.

After talking about it with my husband, he is totally against my going back to the community college to finish. He thinks I should just stick it out and finish what I started at Excelsior. I don't think I will get through all the exams and especially the CPNE. I have a friend that completed the program with Excelsior and she told me that it was very difficult. And that she would never do it again if given the opportunity.

I'm not trying to say that I want my RN handed to me but I don't want to set myself up for failure either. I feel like I would do much better having to go to lecture, lab, and clinical instead of doing it all on my own.

What would you do if your spouse didn't want you to go back to the community college to finish your RN where you know you would be much better off and would do better? Also anyone here have any words of wisdom for me? I need all the encouragement I can get!!

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Specializes in LTC, ER.

why exactly does your husband not want you to go to traditional school? is it because you have invested alot of money in excelsior? if so, then that is a very valid reason. maybe you can try posting in the distance learning forum and get a study buddy to help encourage you. either way you go, it's going to be hard work, but believe me it is well worth the effort.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

You might want to try a search at Yahoo groups, to see if there's any groups started by EC students also.

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why exactly does your husband not want you to go to traditional school? is it because you have invested alot of money in excelsior? if so, then that is a very valid reason. maybe you can try posting in the distance learning forum and get a study buddy to help encourage you. either way you go, it's going to be hard work, but believe me it is well worth the effort.

No, I haven't invested alot of money in Excelsior, maybe $800-$1000, but not like thousands. I'm just not sure I want to put myself through Excelsior's program. Does anyone on here think one program is better than another?

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

You already tried the online and it obviously isn't working for you. I would think that your next try would be the traditional program. You will need your husband's support though.

Good luck

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Specializes in subacute and training now for L&D.

RN Wendy ......You are in the same frame of thought I am in ? maybe ?

I am to start back to the "traditional" nsg program in Jan.2006 I did it the entire summer SUCKED !!!!!! Challanged NSG 1 and OB / PEDS . passed took pharm passed took a required math ...

I am afraid to ... I have kids a husband work etc..LIFE !!!!

BUT I want my RN ...I know for me it was alot of time away for my lpn .I only need my nursing concepts 1-7 and cpne .I dont think that is that bad ..but I am afraid still of not being deciplined enough to do the work .

I think you made a choice to do the ec program and your husband thinks you should coninue it ......He does not dought you ,but reguardless what anyone thinks ONLY YOU can know what is best for you ..

Do you need your prereqs ? If so try one at a community college see if you like it ?

I don't think one program is better than the other it is what best works for you .

As for your girlfriend that finished and would not do it again I also heard that from someone who did it and passed everything and is an RN ....She said the same thing .

Lets be real they would do it again !!!!!!!!!!!!Please how many times as an LPN did you say I wish I went for my RN first ??? A million ?

You can do this !!!!!!! Any way you choose .If you like you can email me and we can study online together !!!!I hope this helps you !!!!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I went through a traditional LPN to ASN program vs. a home-study program. I went that direction because a relative of mine went through excelsior years ago and failed her CPNE twice, (did finally pass it on the 3rd try) but it cost her almost $7,000 for her CPNE exams alone!!!! So..I went the traditional route. The year of school was not easy, actually it was hell, but impossible to brush off or procrastinate on, and now I am an RN. It was all worth it, and I would definitly advise others to go the same route I did. Hope this helps.

-Kacy

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RN Wendy ......You are in the same frame of thought I am in ? maybe ?

I am to start back to the "traditional" nsg program in Jan.2006 I did it the entire summer SUCKED !!!!!! Challanged NSG 1 and OB / PEDS . passed took pharm passed took a required math ...

I am afraid to ... I have kids a husband work etc..LIFE !!!!

BUT I want my RN ...I know for me it was alot of time away for my lpn .I only need my nursing concepts 1-7 and cpne .I dont think that is that bad ..but I am afraid still of not being deciplined enough to do the work .

I think you made a choice to do the ec program and your husband thinks you should coninue it ......He does not dought you ,but reguardless what anyone thinks ONLY YOU can know what is best for you ..

Do you need your prereqs ? If so try one at a community college see if you like it ?

I don't think one program is better than the other it is what best works for you .

As for your girlfriend that finished and would not do it again I also heard that from someone who did it and passed everything and is an RN ....She said the same thing .

Lets be real they would do it again !!!!!!!!!!!!Please how many times as an LPN did you say I wish I went for my RN first ??? A million ?

You can do this !!!!!!! Any way you choose .If you like you can email me and we can study online together !!!!I hope this helps you !!!!!!!

I do have all my pre -req's. I'm in exactly the same boat as you. I only need my nursing concepts 1-7 and the CPNE, and I think that is what I'm afraid of most (The CPNE). If you read the post after yours from another member the cost of the CPNE is outrageous and if you fail it, it's even worse. Not that I want to think about failing it but it does happen. How long have you been an LPN? I know I have developed some bad habits, and it will be hard for me to think about doing things the textbook/school way verses the way I do things now.

You will be getting an email from me soon (I'm at work right now so maybe later today) and maybe like you said we can be online study buddies!!

Have you taken any of the nursing concept exams? I've only made it through the first one and passed it. :scrying:

Hope to hear from you again real soon!! You will be hearing from me!!

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Specializes in subacute and training now for L&D.

Please do email me

[email protected]

I am looking for encouragement too !!!!!!!!!!!!

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I'm new to this board...Been an LPN for 13 years..decided to get my RN degree...started at community college summer of "04...working in nursing home full time ....I challenge the advanced standing for LPN for placement into the RN program...and made it!!! MY med/surg clinical rotation starts Jan 06

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm new to this board...Been an LPN for 13 years..decided to get my RN degree...started at community college summer of "04...working in nursing home full time ....I challenge the advanced standing for LPN for placement into the RN program...and made it!!! MY med/surg clinical rotation starts Jan 06
Welcome to these forums and congrats for making it into the RN program. :balloons: :biggringi
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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Hi. I believe you and everyone else should do what is best for them - because that's the only way you will stay motivated to complete whatever program you choose. I started Excelsior years ago and like you, I would procrastinate months (if not years) between tests. I didn't have time in my life for a traditional program. 2 years ago (kid you not), I made it my New Years resolution to finish this program. I told my whole family and close work friends about my goal. Wrote me a "plan of testing schedule" and posted a copy on my frig at home and my bulletin board at work. I prescheduled tests about every 4-6 weeks apart and EVERYONE knew by my postings when I was suppose to be taking another test. For me, this plan worked much better - I had lots of people pushing me with my best interest at heart. Even my kids got to joke around "Mom, you've got a test coming up - now you get your studying done". It worked - I actually got done. Graduated in May 2005 and completed NCLEX 6/05. Greatest thing I have ever done and YES, If I had to do this over - I would do it again. Last year the CPNE cost about $1675? or somewhere around there. I had been an LPN for 19 years (in management in LTC for past 10) was REALLY WORRIED about my skills as well. I memorized the study guide they gave me, practiced IV's and drip rates in my kitchen at night, dressing changes on the kids, etc. I passed that thing first shot!! If you can just push yourself to get thru this, you will have the biggest confidence in yourself that you can ever imagine. On this board you may hear many negative things about EC grads - but I have never experienced this out in the real world. Most are quite impressed that anyone would have the motivation and dedication that it takes to complete this program. BUT, you will want to check with you BOH to make sure they accept this degree before you get to far.

Figure out for yourself what works best for you and find a way to stick with it. It's been over six months now and I still smile when I sign RN behind my name

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