Need Excelsier College information

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2010

You can find out a lot by reading many of the threads and posts in the distance learning forum that address this subject. You can also get the nuts and bolts from the school website: http://www.excelsior.edu. The program is a good program for those who find it difficult or impossible to attend traditional programs. It is an option, sometimes an option that makes the RN license obtainable at all. In a nutshell, it is an evaluative process, not a teaching program. Persons who have the skills and knowledge that they have obtained elsewhere or on their own, pass tests and come out with a degree on the other end. This is where many people get off the track. Because some states no longer accept the degree outright, due to "lack" of clinical teaching, people think the program is not worthwhile, when in fact it has never been a teaching program. The school has always been upfront about the fact that it is criterion based, no teaching there. Someone who needs to be taught nursing subjects needs a traditional nursing program.

AR2010 · Feb 28, 2010

You can find out a lot by reading many of the threads and posts in the distance learning forum that address this subject. You can also get the nuts and bolts from the school website: www.excelsior.edu. The program is a good program for those who find it difficult or impossible to attend traditional programs. It is an option, sometimes an option that makes the RN license obtainable at all. In a nutshell, it is an evaluative process, not a teaching program. Persons who have the skills and knowledge that they have obtained elsewhere or on their own, pass tests and come out with a degree on the other end. This is where many people get off the track. Because some states no longer accept the degree outright, due to "lack" of clinical teaching, people think the program is not worthwhile, when in fact it has never been a teaching program. The school has always been upfront about the fact that it is criterion based, no teaching there. Someone who needs to be taught nursing subjects needs a traditional nursing program.

Caliotter, thanks for replying. I had looked on the EC website and it was somewhat vague, I did get the gist that its basically as you said, an evaluative tool for those with previous clinical expertise. I will definitely check out some of the unbiased threads, if any, here at allnurses. Thanks again for the info :)

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2010

You need to check out the viability for you. The state where you intend to get a license and/or work, do they accept Excelsior College for licensure with or without additional requirements. Does your present situation qualify you to attend EC. Previous healthcare, such as LPN/LVN license, doctor, respiratory therapist or have completed at least 50% of an RN program, to include 50% of the clinical portion. EC used to allow anyone and everyone to enter the program, but through the years they have been getting more stringent, i.e. paramedic yes, basic EMT no. So these two questions need to be answered before you can further consider the program. You might want to place a call to an EC advisor to get any questions answered quickly. The website can give you a headache as you try to navigate it.

AR2010 · Feb 28, 2010

You need to check out the viability for you. The state where you intend to get a license and/or work, do they accept Excelsior College for licensure with or without additional requirements. Does your present situation qualify you to attend EC. Previous healthcare, such as LPN/LVN license, doctor, respiratory therapist or have completed at least 50% of an RN program, to include 50% of the clinical portion. EC used to allow anyone and everyone to enter the program, but through the years they have been getting more stringent, i.e. paramedic yes, basic EMT no. So these two questions need to be answered before you can further consider the program. You might want to place a call to an EC advisor to get any questions answered quickly. The website can give you a headache as you try to navigate it.

I had spoken to an EC advisor via email, and was told that I do qualify (Army medic as well as having completed 4 semesters (75%) with clinical at a previous associate degree RN program with a C or better). You are absolutely right about the website. Semi hard to navigate if you dont know what you are looking for. I did look at thier site and they had states listed that accept the degree from them with stipulations..........PA was not listed :yeah:thank goodness, I am looking at EC as an option because it seems like it would be one which would make obtaining the RN a better solution for me. Cali, can you tell me what the CPNE is and what it consists of? Im seeing postings saying that people are having to wait months to get sites? Paying for plane tickets etc

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2010

If anything is going to keep you from being successful, it would be the CPNE. It is a two and one half day clinical evaluation that you do at the end of the program. You travel to one of the testing sites and test in a hospital, in a real patient situation. There are four lab stations that you do the first evening you are there. If you fail any of them, you can retest the next day. On the second day you will do two patient care scenarios with a real patient and a clinical evaluator watching everything you do with a checklist. If successful, you do your final patient care scenario on the third day. You have to pass two out of three adult PCSs and one out of two peds PCSs. If there are no peds patients available, they substitute an adult. You pay (at present), $1950 for the exam, cost of the hotel, and travel to your test site. You can bomb the CPNE twice. If you fail a third time, you are dismissed from the nursing program and can not reenter for five years, unless you successfully appeal your failure. People fail the CPNE because of nerves more than lack of preparation. It is no picnic. You basically have to do everything to the book. People who have little healthcare experience have been able to pass on the first try. Others just can't conquer their nerves or other mishaps occur.

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2010

Since you say you are in PA, you will be interested to note that the York, PA test site for the CPNE has opened up again.

AR2010 · Feb 28, 2010

If anything is going to keep you from being successful, it would be the CPNE. It is a two and one half day clinical evaluation that you do at the end of the program. You travel to one of the testing sites and test in a hospital, in a real patient situation. There are four lab stations that you do the first evening you are there. If you fail any of them, you can retest the next day. On the second day you will do two patient care scenarios with a real patient and a clinical evaluator watching everything you do with a checklist. If successful, you do your final patient care scenario on the third day. You have to pass two out of three adult PCSs and one out of two peds PCSs. If there are no peds patients available, they substitute an adult. You pay (at present), $1950 for the exam, cost of the hotel, and travel to your test site. You can bomb the CPNE twice. If you fail a third time, you are dismissed from the nursing program and can not reenter for five years, unless you successfully appeal your failure. People fail the CPNE because of nerves more than lack of preparation. It is no picnic. You basically have to do everything to the book. People who have little healthcare experience have been able to pass on the first try. Others just can't conquer their nerves or other mishaps occur.

thanks again for the information, it seems that the CPNE has crammed into 2 and 1/2 days every fear filled clinical experience that I attended over 2 years at the other RN program I was in. Evaluations involving a nursing instructor standing over you with a clipboard waiting for any slip up. Sleepless nights prepping for your patient(s) trying to make sure that no detail was missed.This is semi unsettling but sounds doable if I adequately prepare. Nerves are definitely a huge factor, but Im glad that I now know what to expect.............thanks again cali

AR2010 · Feb 28, 2010

cali you are right, that would be great for me because york is within driving distance for me, not next door of course, but better than having to pay for a planr ticket to god knows where, and hotel rooms etc.

caliotter3 · Feb 28, 2010

I was reading where people who have tested at York say it is a great place to test. Any of the test sites is a great place to test if you pass!

AR2010 · Feb 28, 2010

I was reading where people who have tested at York say it is a great place to test. Any of the test sites is a great place to test if you pass!

Absolutely, I dont know of many people who would say it was great if they werent successful :lol2: but yet and still greater hope for me, a site that I can access via car!!!!!!!!!