How long does it take to finish?

Nursing Students Online Learning

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Hi,

If you are an LPN or someone that took all the pre-reqs and decided to enroll in Excelsior, what is the average time you can finish all the 5-7 courses? I know this is subjective but in your own experience, how long did you finish the course?

thanks a lot for your replies.

We marvel at those who take these exams quickly. There are two thing I would caution. 1. What is their background. 2. What kind of grade are they getting on the exam.

Some of us learn quickly and easily.

Grades are an indication of how well you have mastered the material. 'C' is a minimum.

You may not feel grades matter but it will be reflected in your practice.

It will matter a great deal if you wish to be accepted into a BSN or MSN program at some later time.

Hello,

I worked for several years as an EMT-1A. I have always worked full-time though not in the medical field for about 5 years now. I had approximately 3 gen. ed. requirements done before I got serious last October, 2002. I completed all but A&P through Excelsior. I just finished the 7 Nursing Concepts Tests (6 A's & 1 B) and have only 2.5 Arts and Sci. credits left (taking Exc. Pathophysiology) and the CPNE.

I don't have oodles of money, but lots of credit card debt :eek: but my husband and I decided it is worth it. Yes, it is hard, and I only recommend a fast pace to those who have always been interested in medicine and are fast learners. I know I am not the only former-EMT or Paramedic who has aced the tests at the pace of 1 per week. The English Comp. and World Religions are nasty tests - definitely recommend at least 1 month prep for those - I did not study for them much and scraped by with C's in those 2 classes.

The Excelsior College materials are what I have used - not any third party stuff.

Now I look forward to preparing for the CPNE and reviewing AGAIN the academic material. Of course I will review AGAIN for the NCLEX - so I feel I will be as ready as possible with an ADN program.

Hope this helps!

Kristi

Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

At the time I took my exams (I took them three at a time), they did not give letter grades just a score with a percentile. My scores were all 95th percentile or better, as I recall- so I did not whisk through them with barely passing scores.

I still have the score sheets somewhere - crazy people like me keep those things. ;) Transcript from Regents also just gave a score, no letter grade. Kinda nice to see they are giving out letter grades now. :)

I was definitely young and insane then! :)

I did have a full time job, but no kids, etc-makes it much easier!

I did the BSN (skipped the ADN) in 19 months, while working,along with a husband a son. I received A's in everything but my first test (B on that one) and a C in Statistics (which I was ecstatic over getting that as I hate statistics).

It can be done but it's hard work, costly even though I had scholarships and you need supportive people around you (my Hubby was a huge help with things).

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Originally posted by featherzRN

I've been trying to find more information as to why California is now balking-every Regent's/Excelsior grad I have met has been more than capable.

Heather

From what I understand, it had something to do with EC allowing non-paramedic EMT's into the ASN program if they had so many work hours under their belt. I guess these were the ones who did poorly with the CPNE and NCLEX-RN exams. Now EC is changing their policy to allow only LPN's, paramedics, etc. into the program to satisfy California. CA has 3 CPNE sites (I think), so I guess that gives them some amount of power as to what EC does.
Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

I did most of my courses in approx. 5-6 weeks each.. a week or two longer for the first two...A&P and Micro. And I'm "slow study".. one of those who has to underline, hilite, and doubleunderline every little thing.... then write little side notes, etc., etc. I would take a full week before the exam just to go through all my "notes" (the most ijmportant stuff to remember) I had written all over my study guide.

I worked full time (or at least 36 hours a week) and completed the ADN in 3 years.. that's including prereq's (three of which I didn't have to take, as previous credits applied), the CPNE and waiting for conferral, which was a couple months later... also included vacations, holidays, etc. where I didn't study much and took a well deserved break. But every spare minute I was not at work, was spent studying... pretty much gave up EVERYTHING else !

But it was sooooo worth it ! Get it done, and you still have the rest of your lives ! :)

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