New dl student starting excelsior soon, Hope I made the right choice.

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.

Have lots of questions and my thoughts are all over the place. made the decision of dropping on campus education to do the excelsior asn program. all gen ed requirements are done with the exception of info lit. just recently done my application last week had transcripts and my lpn license sent off. so im hoping there is nothing else i have to take. i've been going back an forth over this for sometime before finally going ahead with excelsior. i wrestled with the fact that there are no clinicals involved how would i get through this? and a co-worker of mine said how much more clinical time do you need and you're working full-time as a nurse? you will learn more as you go.

My questions to those enrolled and completed excelsior, how are the exams delivered do you do them on your own pc? how are the courses delivered? do you just read books or do you go online for the course? also, do you find yourself explaining your education to others like employers, friends, co-workers? and how quickly did you find a job?

I'm hoping not to have any problems finding employment when i graduate. so your responses is greatly appreciated. :)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I mean to say this gently, but .... it sounds like you haven't investigated how EC's program works, so I do hope you checked to ensure it was accepted in your state before you dropped your on-campus program: http://www.excelsior.edu/state-board-requirements

The tests are done at Pearson Professional Centers: http://pearsonvue.com/vtclocator/ -- just click on "academic/admissions," then "Excelsior College" to locate your nearest test center (hopefully not too far from you!).

In a nutshell, you download the exam content guide from the EC website; that is essentially your syllabus. You gather your study materials (the exam content guide provides suggested texts, other students use NCLEX study guides, similar texts, studygroup101.com notes, etc.), schedule your exam, and take your exam. The Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE) is done in person over the course of 2.5 days at the very end of your nursing studies.

It would probably be a great idea for you to download the school of nursing catalog from EC's website and give the ADN section a thorough read so that you have a firm grasp of how the program works, time limits, policies, etc.

Personally speaking, EC was a great program for me, and I hope you find the same. Welcome to distance learning! :D

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.

Thanks Lunah for replying. checking with my state board to see if EC is accepted was the first thing i done. i did finally navigated thru the website, looked at the syllabus for 2 of the nursing classes. omg this is not easy material, lol. one more question, would i be starting over from the beginning repeating fundamentals, med/surg 1 &2?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The classes you're looking at for the nursing courses are:

Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety

Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences (waived for some LPNs, not sure of the requirements for that because I was never an LPN)

Essentials of Nursing Care: Chronicity

Essentials of Nursing Care: Reproductive Health

Health Differences Across the Life Span 1

Health Differences Across the Life Span 2

Health Differences Across the Life Span 3

Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse

After those, you'll complete the Focused Clinical Competency Exam (FCCA), then the CPNE. :)

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I really enjoy Excelsior..I have a humanities core, four more nsg exams to go, FCCA, and CPNE. I use EC practice exams, content guide, and SG101 to study (through Ebay). This site is also wonderful..I've printed out so much info already..especially for the CPNE. Stay self-motivated and you'll do great! I schedule an exam every 3-4 weeks. Everyone is different though depending on work, kids, etc. I have no kids and am able to work 2-3 days per week. I speak to many people as well that are like, "Only one clinical weekend?!" and I find myself explaining all the time. We are already LPNs and have a clinical knowledge base/work experience..and then as an RN we will learn so much more as we go along. There is also much preparing and great resources to brush up on everything if need be. I plan on using Robs CPNE videos. Take care!! ;)

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Specializes in SN, LTC, REHAB, HH.

Hey krb, i'm praying for ya. you are so lucky almost done:yeah:. i've read alot on here about using SG 101. while i'm waiting for everything to get processed, i'll get a head start on my studying. Thank God i didnt get rid of my books, lol. working 12 hr. shifts is great gives me more days off and time to study material. let me know if Robs cpne videos work for you. i may use it myself.

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