Need genuine advice for EC RN program

Aliakey · Mar 23, 2012

I'm near the end of my coursework for Excelsior right now, but my thoughts so far:

My opinion is more towards the "It's great... as long as you can independently study and WANT to learn!" end of the spectrum.

I can compare my experience with some friends of mine who are in brick n' mortar nursing schools in my area:

1. We are learning the same lecture material, but in different ways. They read their textbooks and attend lectures across a structured timeline, and I read my textbooks and take detailed notes at home when free time allows. Although I lose that valuable method of learning where hearing the information the second time (in lecture) helps solidify it in the ol' noggin, I get the same effect with re-reading my notes before the exam. Some courses took longer for me than others… I spent 4 solid months studying for Reproductive Health (my weakest area), but only needed 4 weeks for Life Span 1, which was heavy in cardiology and respiratory (my strengths).

2. I have no homework... just one proctored final exam. No “busy work” to deal with, but I don’t have a way of gauging how well I really understand the material before the exam either. Makes studying for that one big exam a little stressful sometimes. My notes exceed 200 typed pages for each course.

3. I can work my full time 12 hour shifts as I usually do, and not have to accommodate a college’s schedule. That was the most important factor in this decision.

4. Disadvantages: Since I don’t attend clinicals but must demonstrate a high standard of proficiency in certain nursing skills and documentation for the CPNE, there is a lot of time devoted to learning in that area. Sometimes this involves videos, book DVDs, and/or seeking help from real live RNs whose favorite cold beer is well known, lol!

5. Another (BIG) disadvantage is that the Excelsior program is not accepted by all states’ BONs. This disadvantage NEEDS to be considered very carefully in your situation! Even though we use the same, or nearly the same textbooks as brick n’ mortar programs, take proctored exams, endure the CPNE rigidness, and in consideration of the college's accreditation, it's still not enough for some BONs I guess because we did not physically attended clinicals for a set number of hours. But, I hope never to move back to California anyway… Texas accepts Excelsior, the sky is blue, air is clean, and these folks can respect the beauty of a good ol’ 76 Ford pickup, lol!

Is Excelsior a scam? With the accreditation processes Excelsior has to go through, how could it be? My father used to be on the accreditation board for Western States, so I know the accreditation process is not simple for these colleges and universities. Can you slip through with minimal learning and get that GN? I’m sure some have, but like students who do the exact same in the brick n’ mortar nursing schools, they not only cheat themselves in the process, but their patients as well.

Costs? In the end, Excelsior costs about as much time and money as the nursing schools in my area… maybe a bit less. However, the big bonus is that I am still working my full time shift job and using the skills/assessments I’m learning now with Excelsior to better myself as a paramedic. No student loans to pay off, and at work while “posting” (that is, holding down a parking lot with a 12 ton ambulance because a computer predicted the location of the next response), I can study.

Hope it helps!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 24, 2012

I am a licensed graduate from EC. I went on to earn my BSN, and I'm now in the Army. However, as Aliakey referenced, EC grads cannot work in all states (government/military is the exception there). So here are two links you need to check out first, profreediver:

http://www.excelsior.edu/special-requirements-associate-degree

http://www.excelsior.edu/state-board-requirements

The first link is the requirements for admission -- students must already be a specific type of healthcare provider to qualify for admission. EC used to accept students who had completed a certain amount of clinicals, but that's no longer done except on a case-by-case basis. The second link contains information about the various states that will either require further clinicals, a certain amount of RN practice time for endorsement, or states that don't recognize EC grads at this time (namely Maryland and California).

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2012

I would like to think it's not a scam. I'm an ooold EC grad from WA. Never had problems with it. I have worked with brick and mortar RN's who are dumber than dumb. The only way they could get through school was a brick and morter kind. You only have one chance at the CPNE, whereas clinicals give you multiple chances.

ETA: I'm seriously thinking of getting my BSN, but would choose a nearby Univ. I don't want to do that CPNE ever again! lol.

caliotter3 · Mar 24, 2012

While it is not a scam and is a good program, I would recommend continuing with your present program. Keep EC as a Plan B. In general, a person has a better chance of succeeding in a traditional program than in taking a chance on the EC program. Their final clinical experience, the CPNE, blows many students out of the water. While it is doable, there are no guarantees, and traditional programs simply provide a better chance for success to the student who does what they are supposed to do. Best wishes.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Mar 24, 2012

You only have one chance at the CPNE, whereas clinicals give you multiple chances.
ETA: I'm seriously thinking of getting my BSN, but would choose a nearby Univ. I don't want to do that CPNE ever again! lol.

Students actually get three attempts at the CPNE, but that does get a little pricey! And the BSN does not require a repeat of the CPNE. :)

BostonNurse2876 · Mar 25, 2012

It's really the ONLY way I could ever earn my RN, though I have not graduated yet. I have liked the program so far. The staff is very helpful and I think if you are motivated and a self learner you can do it. The CPNE seems to be made of all skills we ALL leanred as LPN's and use on a daily basis, depending on where you work. I feel confident about my assessment skills and am driven to finish the program so it's great for me. Not for everyone. It's def.not a scam, I think people who say that either had a bad experience or failed the CPNE multiple times.

profreediver · Mar 25, 2012

I am currently a nursing student at a community college. Things didn't go so well for me in the 1st semester considering I've had a rough start to this year with death in the family. I failed by 2 points at the beginning of the program and pretty nervous of what is to come if I continue and get another failing grade. This would mean I am out of the program. I also have to wait until August to start again.
I've been considering Excelsior College but have been reading very mixed reviews. Maybe more bad than good. I've hear "the program is a scam" all the way to "I highly recommend it."
Can I get some input from you all who have been through the EC RN program who are either about to finish or currently a licensed graduate from EC?

I think the info you guys have provided is pretty good. I too am a paramedic. A reason that I want to just go for EC is because the program at my school has a reputation of being one of the hardest around. And I can say its true. Not that I want to look for a "short cut" or anything thats easier, I like the fact you can take a test more than once. I just don't want to waste 16 months of my life and make a mistake somewhere along the end of the program and screw everything up. I have one more chance and one alone.

I've heard the EC exams are pretty hard from one person. What are all of your intakes on that? Do you feel they provide enough information to confront these exams?

Aliakey · Mar 25, 2012

I have earned mostly "A"s and a few "B"s on the EC exams. IMHO, the tests are challenging, but not impossible. This is coming from someone who’s an “older student” with a BS already and a memory that takes a lil’ more work to stick than 20 years ago, lol! Some of my engineering exams were a hellava lot easier, but again, I don't find Excelsior's to be overwhelming.

But, it’s like taking a final exam without any preparatory quizzes or other tests to gauge your knowledge and learning. One grade based on a single test is a tough bullet to bite for some, especially when taking the test in a timed manner at a testing center with a camera pointed at you :eek:

The free downloadable content outline guides for each exam covers exactly which chapters/sections/books need to be read for the exam. Dedicate time to reading the textbooks and taking notes, and you'll do well. There's no "trick questions" I've found... a few were vague to me, but I never did well with courses that involved other folks' line of thinking anyway (such as theories on learning or [shudders] Freud). Luckily, only two exams are within that realm of remembering notable people and their thought processes (Transitions and Life Span 2). Now you know where my “B”s came from, lol!

As a paramedic, you'll need to adjust to a different way of thinking to learn the nurse's role. I'm sure you got a taste of that with your time at the community college already. I really disliked it at first, but have adapted and now see the true value in it. Your nursing exams will reflect the nursing process heavily... spend extra time understanding nursing diagnoses and patient education needs to help you through the exams. As a paramedic, you will have a clear advantage with cardiac, respiratory, and neuro portions of the exams and what your priorities need to be, but do not skim over those chapters of the text and neglect the nursing process parts.

There are several students who simply purchase StudyGroup 101 notes or other study aids, avoid the textbooks completely, and some claim to do well on the exams. Others squeeze through… barely. I bought the notes and they didn’t work for me, even to enhance my studies. I’m a textbook person… I want information that is closest to being up to date, accurate, and referenced, lol! You may work well with them though; everyone’s different.

However, either way I suggest you spend the extra money and purchase the online practice exams that Excelsior offers for each course. They will be a big help for test day.

Nervous1 · Mar 26, 2012

As far as the exams, they give you the info you need to pass. The content guides tell you what you need to know and the practice exams are the biggest plus to the program. I doubt I would have made it this far without that tool to gauge my progress. Its tough when you fail 1, or 2 (in a row) like I did. But when I passed the next one with a B, my momentum went in to high gear and I just kept passing them and finished all my exams in record time.

KassieLPN2RN · Mar 26, 2012

EC is not a scam. It's definately not easy, but it is convenient! You make your own schedule which is the best point for me because I work different shifts and different days each week.