Need Advice On The Excelsior Program

GNURSE02 · Jun 23, 2005

I am assuming English is not your first language, GNurse02. If that is the case you have my apologies. However, if English is your first language I would encourage you to please go to your local community college and sign up for an English class, as it is apparent you are lacking in spelling and grammar skills. Spelling and grammar skills are imperative to success as a nurse. This isn't a swipe at your worthiness or integrity, I apologize if it seems that way.
BTW, I *have* made all the phone calls I can make, that hasn't gotten me anywhere any faster.

dearest LPN to RN please let some one who cares hear from you .My english is just fine thank you .You are so kind to encourage my returning to school , I have returned to school to learn the correct way to write a care plan . that is the area I was weak in during the CPNE . I know I am a good nurse no I am an excelent nurse per the examiner at the test site, my facility and my residents .I will study and will pass the exam when I take it the next time .I have given you enough of my time . I have the feeling you are so full of yourself you would not know an insult if you heard it .It must be so hard on you to be perfect all the time. get a life!

bjsmi27 · Jun 23, 2005

So glad to find someone who is close to finishing with EC RN program.

I am waiting to take state board for my LPN. I spoke to someone today with istuydsmart.com about starting EC LPN to RN program. Have you heard of istudysmart.com? They are a company that you go through to pass the tests at EC. Anyway, did you go straight through EC or did you go with a study program? If you only went through EC how was that and how does that work? I have seen alot of products (study guides, CD's, etc.) on sale used at e-bay. Are these necessary? UUGH!!!! I have so many questions. :uhoh3: I have heard good and bad, mostly good. Any info you could give me or most would certainly be helpful to me and anyone else in this situation.

Thanks!!

You are certainly misinformed, dareingtx. I finished the "written" portion of the ASN program in five months (though I had the English prerequisites out of the way). I have been an LPN for 5 yrs. and I do not suggest a new LPN grad attempt to go through this program without some work experience, as the program through EC is designed for LPN's and certain other health care workers who have some experience. I know it sounds tempting to jump right in, I was tempted at first to do the same thing, but now I am glad I waited and that I have 5 yrs. LPN experience under my belt.
After you finish your written portion that is only half of the deal. You then must wait 4-6 months to take the clinical. I am currently scheduled to take this in October, as there is a pretty long waiting list of people waiting to take this exam and only a limited number of testing centers. The cost is not $3000, but $1575. You will pass if you know what you are doing. The test is simple but they *will* fail you for not following what they call 'critical elements', which is a checklist of things you MUST do to pass each lab station. These can be little things. But if you overprepare your money will not be wasted. I've talked to many people who have taken this test and there isn't a reason why someone who has prepared can't pass.
The only state at this time no longer accepting EC grads at all is California, and there is currently a lawsuit (Excelsior vs. California BON) because the BON complains that the clinical portion of the program should run concurrent with the written portion.

Laurie888 · Jun 23, 2005

Actually I have used used study guides of various nature, and resold on ebay usually breaking even. I would not go with a publishing company.

I have also aced exams using just the study notes available on the Yahoo sites and my old nursing books. While EC has their recommended books for study, usually what you have already can easily fill the bill. Many students search the internet for more information on a given topic.

EC guides for their exams are free. They tell you exactly what is on the test. Take a look at those and then look up the information with the infinite resources available for free to you already, that's my own personal advice. Essentially, take the outline EC gives you and make your own study guide and by the time you are done you will know what you need to know.

I did purchase some used guides and on 3 exams used Chancellor's, simply because I really like the tapes playing the information into my head while driving to worik. But that's just me.

So glad to find someone who is close to finishing with EC RN program.
I am waiting to take state board for my LPN. I spoke to someone today with istuydsmart.com about starting EC LPN to RN program. Have you heard of istudysmart.com? They are a company that you go through to pass the tests at EC. Anyway, did you go straight through EC or did you go with a study program? If you only went through EC how was that and how does that work? I have seen alot of products (study guides, CD's, etc.) on sale used at e-bay. Are these necessary? UUGH!!!! I have so many questions. I have heard good and bad, mostly good. Any info you could give me or most would certainly be helpful to me and anyone else in this situation.
Thanks!!

Jo Dirt · Jun 23, 2005

dearest LPN to RN please let some one who cares hear from you .My english is just fine thank you .You are so kind to encourage my returning to school , I have returned to school to learn the correct way to write a care plan . that is the area I was weak in during the CPNE . I know I am a good nurse no I am an excelent nurse per the examiner at the test site, my facility and my residents .I will study and will pass the exam when I take it the next time .I have given you enough of my time . I have the feeling you are so full of yourself you would not know an insult if you heard it .It must be so hard on you to be perfect all the time. get a life!

lol

DYatesRN · Jun 25, 2005

lol

:bowingpur

and a great speller too! :uhoh3:

GNurse--pay no mind...you can pass this CPNE. Get your nerves under control. Good luck on passing!!!!

chip193 · Jun 26, 2005

:bowingpur
and a great speller too!
GNurse--pay no mind...you can pass this CPNE. Get your nerves under control. Good luck on passing!!!!

The CPNE can certainly be done. And, really, they don't care if you're shaking like a leaf during the skill stations. I know. I was!

Good luck.

Chip

bjsmi27 · Jun 29, 2005

How can you just take the first 2 test and only pay for the test?

Hey how are you? I am currently taking EC test and spoke with them not even two days ago about the way for the CPNE. As of now it is 5-7 months, so there is no way that you can finish in a short amount of time. I also agree with what someone else said about waiting. I have found the test to be pretty tough, I had to retake one because of the way that I was studying for them. Since then I have had all A's and B's. If you have no experience it could be a good thing and a bad thing since you have not picked up on any of the bad habits most of us might have. I worked in an ER as a paramedic for the last 7 years and have had a hard time going back to theory since it does not always correspond to what you would actually do.
My suggestion is that you make the decision for yourself. You can take the first two test with only paying for the test, and then go from there. I also reccommend buying some sort of study guide that is out there. I have been using Chancellor's and I have found them to be fairly accurate with the infromation.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

chip193 · Jun 29, 2005

How can you just take the first 2 test and only pay for the test?

I think that the poster was talking about taking NC1 and NC2 without using one of the publishing companies - i.e. pay EC for the exam.

That is how I did the whole program. That's what worked for me - and your learning style may be different.

Chip

Laurie888 · Jun 29, 2005

NC1 and NC2 can be taken before enrolling at EC. A lot of people do it this way both to conserve time (hoping to not pay any renewal fees) and to test out the program, see if it's right for them before making the huge financial commitment of Excelsior's enrollment fee.

I think that the poster was talking about taking NC1 and NC2 without using one of the publishing companies - i.e. pay EC for the exam.
That is how I did the whole program. That's what worked for me - and your learning style may be different.
Chip

bjsmi27 · Jun 30, 2005

So, basically you did the EC program just using EC's study guide that they give you for free and the text books they require? I did really well in the LPN program. I am waiting to sit for boards but I plan on trying to take as many classes as I can while I am waiting to sit for boards.

Thanks for the info. This web site has been a life saver. I seem to be finding more info here than I did talking to the different schools.post QUOTE=chip193]I think that the poster was talking about taking NC1 and NC2 without using one of the publishing companies - i.e. pay EC for the exam.

That is how I did the whole program. That's what worked for me - and your learning style may be different.

Chip

chip193 · Jun 30, 2005

So, basically you did the EC program just using EC's study guide that they give you for free and the text books they require? I did really well in the LPN program. I am waiting to sit for boards but I plan on trying to take as many classes as I can while I am waiting to sit for boards.
Thanks for the info. This web site has been a life saver. I seem to be finding more info here than I did talking to the different schools.

I used the study guides and my wife's nursing texts (she did a traditional program and graduated about 10 mos. before me) for look-ups. I mainly used Mosby's NCLEX review CD that came with the Review text (Silvestri was the author). I did not purchase a single text - but did use Cliff's Quick Reviews for A&P, Micro, etc.

Good luck!

Chip

P.S. Don't kid yourself - this is what worked for me, and it may not work for you. I have a very strong EMS background, with a high percentage of critical care transfers from community hospitals to tertiary care and a high number of pediatric critical care transfers. Therefore, I already had a working knowledge of most of the medications that were tested and most of the disease processes (yes, there were new ones to me like Rynard's Disease).

kleinbbc · Jun 30, 2005

Were do you take the Excelsior test 1-6?

Thanks