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I'm trying to find out more information on Excelsior College and their online LPN to RN program. I have heard of a few people that have gotten their RN education through Excelsior College, but when I was researching it I found some negative posts online regarding Excelsior College when they went to do their hands on test at the end. It's alot of money to invest into something if it's a scam or if there are issues with their testing and how it's done. Any information or stories that anyone could share would be great and very helpful.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

There are plenty of threads about Excelsior on AN, you can do a quick search here and you will find plenty of threads.

Do a quick research on your state's BON to see if they approve Excelsior in your state; there are several states that will not approve Excelsior; that is something to keep in mind if you find yourself having to move and you end up in a state where you can not work as a RN; something to keep in mind due to life's unpredictability.

I used Excelsior to CLEP prerequisites; my university suggested it prior into getting in their BSN program; I have no issues with their coursework or review.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Excelsior forum

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

Here are a couple of articles from the EC forum that you might find helpful:

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-distance-808335.html

https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/clinical-performance-nursing-884109.html

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Do a quick research on your state's BON to see if they approve Excelsior in your state; there are several states that will not approve Excelsior; that is something to keep in mind if you find yourself having to move and you end up in a state where you can not work as a RN; something to keep in mind due to life's unpredictability.

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Their is only 1 state that will not license an Excelsior grad, and that is California. All other states allow an RN that graduated from Excelsior to get a license, but some states (14 others, list here) require extra training or actual work hours in another state before being licensed.

As for negative comments, all schools have them. Excelsior's biggest one is the CPNE at the end. It is a 3 day patient care exam that is very difficult (but is passable). This is done to verify skills competency since Excelsior does not have a clinical program.

It is expensive (like $2200 now plus travel and such) and you have 3 chances to pass (at $2200 per chance). I have not seen any current pass rates, but the latest stats from 2012 were 46% pass on the first attempt.

If you fail 3 times, you are kicked out of the program and have almost nothing to show for it.

Is it a scam, no, but you need to know what your getting into before you start it.

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Thank you for the information.

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