NEED HELP!! New Excelsior Student

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  • Specializes in Med/surg, Geriatrics, Home Health, LTC.

Hello guys,

I have finally put my mind to it & decided to go thru excelsior. Its no other way for me to obtain my RN with 2 young children. I know I can do it but I guess I am just scared of the unknown. The bridge programs in Texas are practically nonexistent. :banghead:

I am just looking for any helpful info, tips, anything to help me along with excelsior. Also I will be under the new curriculum so any tips on the changes will be great.

So what you used to study, usual study time for your exams, any tips on how to pay for this thing (Ouch!), or just words of encouragement.

I look forward to your advice!

:wink2:

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

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

Read this: https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/please-read-before-322538.html

And when you need extra encouragement or you feel your motivation slipping, read this: https://allnurses.com/distance-learning-nursing/excelsior-grads-where-217472.html :)

One big tip: take the EC practice exams for every "course" you take. They're $60, but for that $60 you get two 100-question exams that are very similar in flavor/content to the actual exams. They're also great study tools in that you can see which questions came from which area, which helps you gauge where you might need extra study/improvement.

The practice exams are timed -- you have to take them all in one whack, you can't close it and come back to it later. I think you get ... 2 hours? 2.5 hours? Something like that. You can't print the exams out, but you are able to view them for something like 120 days after you register for them. Typically, I'd do a first pass of studying and take the first EC exam (called "Form A"). Then I'd study any weak areas, and do "Form B." Worked pretty well for me -- I graduated with a 3.78. :D

Also, use the free exam content guides from EC as your class syllabus, and cross-check your learning against the exam content guide.

Welcome, and good luck!

ladymedik

102 Posts

Specializes in E.R., post-surgical.

yeah...... what she said!!!

Raggedy Ann

756 Posts

Specializes in Med surg and Psych.

:wlcmghrt::grpwlcm::wlcmghrt:nurset2007~ i agree with what lunah said. she is one smart cookie, and funny to boot! i did exactly what she had said with one exception. i took my practice exam form a before i ever cracked a book, and then i studied and the same week that i would take the actual exam i would take form b. i would usually increase my score like 20 points. what an ego booster. lol! i would usually schedule my nc's (under old program) 3-4 weeks apart depending on work...we have to take turns staying over...urgh! anyway...i took my first nc on aug.30 last year and completed my nc's 2/6 of this year. i still have to clep soc. to become cpne eligible...sometimes health or other of lifes misfortunes may come your way, think of it only as an obstacle...and with time you will get around it. you can do it! you will figure out which type of studying works best for you, and then you will be on a roll, especially after that first test. we have so many people here on all nurses that are so supportive. they really encourage and cheer you on, and it comes from the heart. i am also from texas. with that being said welcome to allnurses. traci

danny2001

4 Posts

Hi,

I plan to take associate nursing programs at excelsior, but I am confused about the tuitions. do I have too pay both course fees and exam fees, or just pay for exam fees?

Thanks alot for your help

danny

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

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

The ADN program is almost all exams, with the exception of Information Literacy, which is an online course. So just the exam fees, for the most part. :)

NurseMaryB

38 Posts

Specializes in 5 yrs Med/Surg. 2yr-ICU/ER.

Is there anyway to test out of Information Literacy...I find no use in that course except for it to bored the snot out of me.

Editorial Team / Moderator

Lunah, MSN, RN

14 Articles; 13,766 Posts

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Is there anyway to test out of Information Literacy...I find no use in that course except for it to bored the snot out of me.

Not to my knowledge, nope. We've all suffered through it. :D

Welcome!

R0xyg4l

59 Posts

Is there anyway to test out of Information Literacy...I find no use in that course except for it to bored the snot out of me.

http://mystudygroup101.homestead.com/Credits.html

Towards the bottom of this page it suggests a way to test out of INL. I personally haven't done it but it seems like an interesting option.

fbgbom2

7 Posts

I have a questions for you guys who previously were LPN. I wonder if some of your LPN general courses like Anatomy/Phsiology, Lifespan Development, Sociology etc...were credited to your ADN program in Excelsior. Excelsior did not credit mine and I have to take them again...I already enrolled and paid 895 and cannot withraw the money anymore. I wonder if it is wise for me to continue....I thought all the while that I only have to write the nursing component exams considering that the general ed courses were already taken. Any feedback please...I don't know what to do...I don't want to go to traditional school here in Toronto and bridge for 3 year from LPN to BSN because Canada stopped the ADN program.

Ebony_RN

101 Posts

Specializes in RNC in OB and experience in Peds.
I have a questions for you guys who previously were LPN. I wonder if some of your LPN general courses like Anatomy/Phsiology, Lifespan Development, Sociology etc...were credited to your ADN program in Excelsior. Excelsior did not credit mine and I have to take them again...I already enrolled and paid 895 and cannot withraw the money anymore. I wonder if it is wise for me to continue....I thought all the while that I only have to write the nursing component exams considering that the general ed courses were already taken. Any feedback please...I don't know what to do...I don't want to go to traditional school here in Toronto and bridge for 3 year from LPN to BSN because Canada stopped the ADN program.
Are these courses that were done within your LPN program, or did you physically take A&P, Life Span Dev, etc as individual classes at a college? Because Excelsior only takes the latter or Clep exams.
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