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Nursing Students Online Learning

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Hello everyone. Glad to be here. I have been an LPN for 25 yrs and have decided to go on for my RN FINALLY.. I started it in NY but moved to NC 3 yrs ago before I could finish it. I did my prereq's and started the transition program but had to move a month into that. So here I am. I decided to do the online course of Excelsior. I am not able to do classroom due to no evening classes are available in my area. I work Mon-Fri days. I am ready, willing, and able (with a great support system at home). So here I go. I was told by someone, they give you the study guides and you study them then when your ready you take the test. Can anyone confirm that? Thanks for your support in these forums!!

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

Hi Hannibal! Welcome to the forum. :) EC provides exam content guides -- think of them as a syllabus. These guides outline the reading that you'll need to do for each exam, but it's up to you to collect your study materials. Used textbooks are pretty inexpensive on sites like amazon.com or half.com.

Congratulations on your decision!

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Have you taken any classes from EC?? If so with the study guides they give you do they tell you which book the material is in?? By the way thanks for the post.. Hannibal.

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Lunah is now an RN via EC. I an=m a GN same way and take my boards in three weeks.

Yes, the study guides are basically a guide to the reading, and on what to focus. I used to take sticky note and mark each chapter in the texts and remove it when I was done with the chapter.

Good luck! There's a lot of living proff that it can be done in this forum.

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Good luck with the boards.. I want to do excelsior i'm hoping it wont be that bad. I'm really worried about the last yahoo with the weekend exam thing. The clinical part of it. Thanks.

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

Sue's correct -- I graduated from EC in August and passed my boards in August, too. There are a bunch of grads here!

There are a lot of resources to help prepare you for that clinical weekend -- the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE). It's a bit of a beast, stress-wise, but the things you're asked to do are basic nursing assessments and management -- nothing too complicated or invasive. So don't worry about it now -- concentrate on getting there first. :)

Have you applied to the school yet? That would be the first step -- spend the $75 application fee and let them evaluate your credits and see what you'll need.

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Yes I have applied. I cant wait to find out what I need. I sent it in last Thursday. I requested transcripts which I think they have by now. I thought I would wait til like this Thurs. to call them. I am glad to know there is help to prepare for the clinical. It's funny the place in NY (Syracuse) is where I started my transition program. It'd be kind of neat to go back there. Oh what am I saying.. Your right I need to get through the program first. I cant wait to start....

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Hi Hannibal TT

Good luck to you. I have been an LPN for 28 years and have returned to school for my RN. Finally !! I am in an accelerated bridge program and will graduate in May. I hope you have a lot of fun !!! Study hard .. it will be worth it.

Hope to see you on the forum. :wink2:

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Congratulations on your Decision to do EC! I have completed all my exams and I take the CPNE Dec 5-7. I have been Studying alot. This program has been very doable. I completed all my test in a less than 7 months. You can go on the website or call and request the study guide to Health Safety. This is the first nursing test and you can take it before you pay the $895 enrollment fee.

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Specializes in Family practice.

I'm looking into doing the EC thing also and I'm kinda overwhelmed by all this. Can anyone give me a ball park figure as to how much I'll be spending after it's all over? Can I get a loan? I'm so confused of where to start. :no:

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I'm looking into doing the EC thing also and I'm kinda overwhelmed by all this. Can anyone give me a ball park figure as to how much I'll be spending after it's all over? Can I get a loan? I'm so confused of where to start. :no:

I'm probably spent $9000 for the whole program. That including cost of test,practice test fees, books, study aides, the CPNE + supplies for that and travel and workshop expenses. They do not accept financial aid so you can either pay out of pocket, get your employer to pay, get a private loan or charge it. If you come up with more creative ideas. Let me know.

Make sure you check with your Local BON to find out if your state accepts EC. Right now Cali, VA(after 12/09) Maryland, GA do not accept EC. There are other state that you have to do extra clinical hours. So if you ever want to go to any of those state you may want to reconsider this program.

I think if you want to do the program, you need to apply to the school and send them all of your transcripts so they can tell you what courses you need. The application fee is $75. Then once you get your unofficial evaluation, look the courses up on the EC website. Register to take one test at a time and buy the recommended books. Download the content guide and study. When you feel like you have master the material, take the test at your local personvue center. Stay away from publishing companies like College network, Rue, Chancellor, Minnay etc. You can find most of their modules on EBay for a fraction of the cost.

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Specializes in NICU, Psychiatry, UM, CM.

:wlcmggrp:

:[anb]:

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