New Excelsior Limitations

[NurseFair2009]

Has anyone seen the new limitations? Guess I will have to "enroll" before that date since all my non-nursing classes are transferred in. This really makes me angry because the college I'm at won't be offering A&P II until October!

http://www.excelsior.edu/school-of-nursing-limits-credit-acceptance

[KassieLPN2RN]

Most other colleges I checked into will not let you transfer in any credits after you've enrolled - at least EC is giving you 7 ACE and as many CLEP/DSST as pertain, even after enrollment. The limit will only affect pre-reqs such as A&P, Micro, Math*, Info Lit and English - the others can all be done as CLEP/DSST (*even the math can be done CLEP, psych, soc, human development, humanities, etc.). The ECE A&P and Micro exams actually weren't bad and I passed without any problems -and I was pleasantly surprised. That would leave just Math (3), English (3), & Info Lit (1) that you could take as ACE = 7. Keeping in mind that most brick and mortor classes for 3 credits cost at least $350-1200, the EC exams are cheaper and at least you can go at your own pace. Myself, I don't think I could do a challenge exam for math - that would freak me out - but I had taken Beginning & Intermediate Algebra online at a local college several years ago.

So it doesn't appear to be a major change unless you were planning on taking all your pre-reqs ACE, I don't think most people do though. You can't beat EC's format when your busy working and raising a family and don't have time to sit in a classroom on someone else's schedule. It doesn't seem that the new limits will be much of a hindrance to most students and even if you were planning on taking them all ACE, you would only save maybe $200-400 total. Just my opinion....

[BarbaraNM, ASN, RN]

here's the email i got:

our records show that you were admitted to the associate degree in nursing program within the past year but have not yet enrolled. therefore, we are writing to inform you of changes to the associate degree in nursing program that will become effective for those who enroll on or after october 1, 2012.

**************as of october 1, 2012, the anatomy & physiology and microbiology requirements will be accepted toward the associate degree in nursing only if they were completed no more than five years prior to the date of enrollment and meet the content requirements as outlined in the current nursing catalog.

in addition, the anatomy & physiology and microbiology requirements must be completed before registering for all associate degree in nursing theory examinations with the exception of the transition to the registered professional nurse role examination.

furthermore, as of october 1, 2012, future students will no longer be able to take nurx 104: essentials of nursing care: health safety prior to enrollment.******************

if you were admitted to the associate degree in nursing program based on military experience, please review the current admissions eligibility requirements to verify that you meet current eligibility criteria.

you may enroll online or download the undergraduate enrollment form(pdf) and fax the completed form to our bursar's office at 518-464-8700.

should you have any questions, please call us at 888-647-2388 ext. 22. we look forward to working with you as an enrolled student!

sincerely,

roberto figueroa ii, mba

executive director of admissions

the part that affects me (and for others to keep in mind) is marked between the *****.... that all a & p and microbiology must be completed less than 5 years before enrollment. also, the new requirement that both a & p and micro must be completed before enrolling for exams, except transition... and that health safety will no longer be able to be taken before enrolling.... some big changes!!

[RRTtoRN2013]

I have a question about this - I am not enrolled yet in the Excelsior nursing program BUT I am taking my prereqs through Excelsior. Does this mean they will only accept a certain amount of those credits if I don't enroll now?

Yes that is correct!

[nursemami4]

So does this change as of oct 1 refer to only new future students enrolling after this date or everyone enrolled already and completed most of the exams. Thanks! Haven't called EC yet to get the info.

[BarbaraNM, ASN, RN]

Those changes are only for those NOT yet enrolled...

[BetterMeRN]

I'm a EC graduate and I'm so proud of my "real" degree, I'm a "real" RN and I just got a new job only three months in and never once was my school an issue. I'd also like to add I've also been put in charge of people who've had years of experience...."really".