Published Aug 20, 2006
lambey1218
1 Post
I am currently a medic in Florida who has just started the Excelsior program. My first class is Microbiology ( a little daunting)!
Has anybody used any of the study guides from companies such as Chancellors? and if so were they helpful? I see them for sale on ebay(micros on there now) but I am a little wary as to their usefulness.
If anyone has any input please let me know.
Thanks
PS if their are any other medics from FL out their I would be interested in knowing if you had any probles getting your State license
EricJRN, MSN, RN
1 Article; 6,683 Posts
For micro, I was able to check out the EC-recommended textbook from a library. I also looked at some review materials online. I made an A. Unfortunately, I graduated without having any personal experience with publishing companies.
There was a poster here who was pretty active for a while who was a medic in FL. If I remember correctly (and that may be a big if), FL would only give him a license by endorsement. (Endorsement means he had to be licensed in another state first.) So he got a license (I think in Minnesota) with no trouble, then turned right around and applied for an FL license with no problem. Silly, but sometimes you have to play the game. The Florida BON can give you the best advice on the current rules.
anticoagulationurse
417 Posts
I think the poster mentioned by Eric was traumahawk99. He may still be active?
No experience with compaines outside Excelsior. I didn't need them and school was expensive as is! I know lots of folks find them helpful, but before you sign up, really really do some research. Some of them sound like a scam to me. But I don't know, not having experience with them.
Good luck! I had to take micro too. Read the text cover to cover, did a little quizzing and got a B. Not easy, but not hard either.
chip193
272 Posts
DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THE PUBLISHING COMPANIES!
It costs far too much. Seriously, the best reviews that I found out there were from Cliff's Quick Reviews (remember our friends from High School who published the down and dirty of what you needed to know for all those books that you didn't read?). There is one for Micro, A&P, and most of the other non-nursing courses. And they're about $10/ea.
If you really want to use the publishing companies' stuff, find it on ebay.
Chip
sweetneek1
34 Posts
I Used The College Network Study Guide And Passed With An A-however I Didnt Pay The 350 Dollars For It-i Brought It On Ebay For 20 Dollars
carliboo30
21 Posts
Hi Iam an LPN studying with Excelsior too, and I am from FL as well. As far as I know they will only let an LPN sit for the NCLEX in Florida if they graduate from Excelsior, but you may be able to get your license through endorsement (which means you must test in another state and apply for your license in FL). I would call the BON in FL to make sure of your requirements.
Hey all I have a NC5 Study Guide for sale for $46.00 (includes shipping) from TCN. I passed with an "A". Email if you are interested. :balloons:
Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN
880 Posts
Also a medic - did the EC degree WITHOUT any help from the publishing companies, EXCEPT for attendance at the CarePlan lab done by Chancellors in Fischer IN for a week prior to my clinical (also passed in straight PCS's).
Think about where you are. Have you done the concepts 1 & 2 yet, or are you in the pre-req stages. I think medics have varying backgrounds, some are well prepared for the EC with little additional study, others are not.
I think EricE was on target with the advice to get the book on loan through the library. Use the ISBN # and even if it is not on the shelf, it is usually available in the "network", meaning they can get in on loan.
Onto the micro question. There is little change in a Micro book from 1999 and 2006. Think about it. Use the EC outline. Prep off that and remember there are only 150 or so ?'s. Either they are gonna test on the main concepts or pick obscure issues and no amount of prep will get you through that type of test! My experience with EC has been that they stay true to the guides that they publish and they tend to test along main concepts?
Anyone else with other experiences?
You can PM me with your contact info and I'd be glad to discuss any other concerns/issues/questions you may have. GOOD LUCK!
Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P
1,576 Posts
I did what EricE and anticoagulation did - read the Micro text cover to cover. It followed the content guide to a 'T'.
My experience has been to follow the content guide when studying. I read the assignments in the guides and got excellent grades in all of my classes. Good luck to you!!
barbiedee
167 Posts
I used a Microbi study guide and did well. As I usually do, I recommend going to eBay and purchase these study guides for a fraction of their regular cost. Practice exams help also, and a lot are available on the different Yahoo/Excelsior College groups.
tkrnuck
10 Posts
I am currently a medic in Florida who has just started the Excelsior program. My first class is Microbiology ( a little daunting)!Has anybody used any of the study guides from companies such as Chancellors? and if so were they helpful? I see them for sale on ebay(micros on there now) but I am a little wary as to their usefulness.If anyone has any input please let me know.ThanksPS if their are any other medics from FL out their I would be interested in knowing if you had any probles getting your State license
Hi--
I did my micro many years ago and used a RUE Study Guide. It was long and tedious but I feel very directed and I passed the test with a high B grade.I was very happy with that.I read every inch of the text book/study guide/and answered the end of chapter questions .No one talks about RUE on these threads, I notice.( Just a few negative comments here and there)I found there guides very time consuming, yes, but VERY GOOD.I got an A in American lit--I studied for almost 7 mos. but the guide was RIGHT ON.I got A's in all my nursing exams using RUE materials for my ADN and their CPNE tapes were excellent also(I still have them--10 yrs. old but perfect!)Anyone interested?I took my time and I learned the information.
I need to take BIOLOGY for BSN any sugestions out there?????Also the dreaded question---HOW DOES SOMEONE PASS DSST IN STATISTICS without being a wizard? What calculator to buy if I'm brazen enough to attempt it??Or does someone know of an on-line Statistics that is passable???
Hope someone out there can give me study material advice??? Just know about RUE @ this point. I may go with Rue again if I seriously commit to EC for my BSN. I am looking for other students experiences to compare.I am currently reading a guide in World religions(TCN) I bought it with Art of the Western World on ebay.Anyone test out on those?????
I'm new to this site.
I have no regrets getting my ADN thru Excelsior.(Then Regent's College).I learned alot along the way!.Good luck everyone!
DorothyzbornakBSN
77 Posts
this is an old thread any current threads concerning dsst statistcs?