On the fence

eliza1164 · Jan 21, 2015

Funny I came here looking for the same...I too have been on the fence. I met with college network , I didn't feel right. I had a lot of questions that he couldn't answer.So I called Excelsior today and I can do distance learning directly thru them. Pay as you go, anything over 300, you can do a pymt plan. But each pymt plan has a set up fee 15 -25. The cost of practice test $75, college network says its free. But even if I pain for every practice test...its still cheaper to go thru them directly.

the admission specialist was very helpful and patient. I had a lot of questions!

Eliza

I added all of the cost going direct and it was still cheaper than college network.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 21, 2015

Of course it is. TCN adds several thousands on top of all EC costs plus there is no guarantee that the publishing company's study guides align with the EC material as despite what some of the sales people imply, TCN is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with EC. They are not authorized to advise you academically or on admissions to EC as they are a publishing company.

Even though you didn't sign on the dotted line be prepared for the hard sales contact.

thecool1Nscrubs2no · Jan 22, 2015

The first thing is to check with your Board of Nursing and if the program is approved for your state. Because I know within my state they don't allow LPN's to go online to attend RN programs. So please check your state regulations. May companies are out there to take advantage of people. Also check the accreditation of the place you are applying to. Also look at your plan of study and it should have a time line of when you will finish as its a max time frame that is allowed.No one is trying to be a life time student to obtain one degree. Please keep that in mind. Also keep away from places that are selling books and not education. I know you want your RN. Also check around in your community to see about RN programs included those at private schools which may cost a little more but they also take financial aid same as many public colleges. Often time private colleges have less of a waiting list and more frequent start up dates. It seems to be stressful to take that massive exam or CLEP (skills)and then have to go to the boards and do another exam. Those CLEP are money makers also please find out how many times those can be taken if needed.....within education there is no clear pathway but please pick the best one for yourself. Nursing school is work and cost ...no matter if its online or in brick and mortar setting. Also look into nurse loan forgiveness programs /scholarships programs to reduce cost. A I know I have done both....and will be returning in a few months to obtain a doctoral. If you have other questions feel free to ask as I started my career as a CNA, LPN, RN.I'm in my early 30's. I wish you success.

UlanaD · Jan 22, 2015

First off, California is the only state that doesn't recognize Excelsior ADN graduates. EC is accredited by the ACEN. Some states have extra hoops to jump thru, and there are other ways around some of them. CLEP and DSST exams are less than $100 dollars and recognized and accepted by thousands of colleges around the world and I believe you can take CLEP or DSST as many times as you want. The EC exams (EC exams are not clep exams) can be taken 3 times, only once if you pass. The college network is a publishing company. They are not a school or college and they do not grant credit for ANY exams. You can go directly through CLEP DSST UEXCEL and Excelsior for challenge exams but Excelsior also has online classes that are eligible for financial aid. If you need books for the EC classes try studygroup101.com at less than 10 dollars per class and you can get textbooks on amazon or ebay. Most of the time you can get by with an older edition of the textbooks and sometimes only spend a few dollars. You have to be motivated and responsible or you won't make it, but you do have 7 years to complete the degree. The clinical is hard but not any more difficult than testing out of any other skills class. They give you a study guide to go by, you have to forget everything else you know and go by the study guide. Someone on facebook has a poll on cpne passers and it's like 70% pass rate. There are several hands on workshops available for the clinical that will guide you through the whole thing before you go. Go to the college website and get the nursing catalog, it has everything in it.

thecool1Nscrubs2no · Jan 22, 2015

Virginia doesn't do any online LPN to RN programs just FYI. As I noticed you mentioned Cali in your post. Best of luck with your studies.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 22, 2015

Virginia doesn't do any online LPN to RN programs just FYI. As I noticed you mentioned Cali in your post. Best of luck with your studies.

Virginia will now allow EC graduates to be licensed with specific requirements, endorsed with 960 hours of RN experience in another state. Only CA will not license EC grads for any reason:

Virginia:
Initial Licensure:: Graduates applying for direct licensure will be issued a provisional RN license with requirements to work for a predetermined number of hours before being issued an RN license. For graduates who were LPNs upon enrollment with Excelsior College, the required number of hours to work with a provisional RN license is 250. For all other graduates, the required number of hours to work with a provisional license is 400.
Endorsement: Graduates applying for licensure by endorsement must have 960 hours of RN experience.
August 12, 2013

(Source: Excelsior College | State Board Requirements)