Opinions on Excelsior College?

mentalhealthman · Aug 28, 2006

I am currently taking classes with Excelsior. For myself, it is the best fit. I finished NC 1 recently. Not too bad. Got through it with minimal studying, but that may not be the case with some of the others. You may be exempt for NC2 if you graduated from an LPN school that is NLN certified.

It works for me because I can do it at my pace. It does take discipline though. It is definitely doable. Good luck with what ever you decide.

Also you can check out the groups @ Yahoo. There are numerous study groups for Excelsior College.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 28, 2006

A friend did it and said that it was expensive but convenient. I'd call your BON just to make sure they are cool with Excelsior because I think some states are grumbling about not accepting it in the future.

Polly Dipcya · Aug 29, 2006

I am a LPN student nurse and will graduate 12-06. I would like to go an and get my RN. I am considering distance education with RUE or EC..Is it a good program? It does seem kind of expensive. But I like the idea of finishing school on my owm time...Any feedback from Rue grads will be apprecitated...Thanks

anticoagulationurse · Sep 13, 2006

Y'all should check out the distance learning forum. I agree with Eric, working experience as an LPN is crucial and I think also helps keep up Excelsior's reputation. I've worked as an LPN full time all the way through the program and will have completed it in 11 months (that includes 4 month wait for the CPNE), and had 3 pre-reqs.

I hear people talk about how expensive it is. I've done the bare bones, just studied on my own and paid for the exams. Although, EC does offer online courses to walk you through, and workshops, etc which cost more. Anyway, I've kept it cheap by sticking to myself. I think I will have paid about $5000 (cash as I go - don't know about financial aid options). All in all, I see as a really good deal, especially since I've been able to keep up a full time job! Gone are the LPN school days sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day or working for free in clinicals! Woo hoo! I think LPN school cost me $9000, so I don't know why people think EC is so expensive.

mcm1213 · Jul 6, 2007

Y'all should check out the distance learning forum. I agree with Eric, working experience as an LPN is crucial and I think also helps keep up Excelsior's reputation. I've worked as an LPN full time all the way through the program and will have completed it in 11 months (that includes 4 month wait for the CPNE), and had 3 pre-reqs.
I hear people talk about how expensive it is. I've done the bare bones, just studied on my own and paid for the exams. Although, EC does offer online courses to walk you through, and workshops, etc which cost more. Anyway, I've kept it cheap by sticking to myself. I think I will have paid about $5000 (cash as I go - don't know about financial aid options). All in all, I see as a really good deal, especially since I've been able to keep up a full time job! Gone are the LPN school days sitting in a classroom for 8 hours a day or working for free in clinicals! Woo hoo! I think LPN school cost me $9000, so I don't know why people think EC is so expensive.

I am going to sign up for Excelsior also. I am a RT right now. I would like to do the "barebone" way as you have described. How do I start? Do I first send my transscripts to Excelsior? Can I just take the tests now?! I should have all my prereqs taken care of, I think it is 75 dolalrs just to send the transcripts. I guess my question would be where do I go from here. All I have decided is that this is what I want to do.

Thanks for any feedback.

caliotter3 · Jul 6, 2007

mcm1213

If you want to get started with Excelsior, you can take the NC1 test before you enroll. Go to their website: http://www.excelsior.edu. Become familiar with it and download copies of the Nursing School catalog and a copy of the study guide for NC1. You can register for NC1, study for it, and take it when you feel you are ready.

Suggest you get one or more good NCLEX prep books and study the areas that are in the test (example: cardiovascular diseases). Some people only use NCLEX prep books. In the study guide you will also find an up to date listing of the general references for the tests. You may already have some of these books, but they can be had cheaper from half.com, other book websites. (You can also buy used copies of study guides put out by the publishing companies like Rue or Chancellors, but many people say these do not correlate to the tests. Up to you.)

Since you have pretty much made the decision to enroll, you can download an application from the website (not sure, if you can enroll online), pay for your enrollment. Get each of your schools to send copies of your transcripts. You're on your way.

You can find lots of threads on Excelsior here with good advice and arguments back and forth over using the publishing companies. They add to the cost, and like I said, some people just find them to be a ripoff. Others don't. I've had no trouble passing the tests without using them. Make sure you enroll by the end of Sep. so you don't come under the new curriculum which starts Oct. 1. Good luck!

badzful · Jul 11, 2007

I am just wondering...i am from California and i read that Ca doesn't accept online studies. I am just wondering if i could have someone help me schools even online or private where i could continue my LVN to RN. Here in Ca there are so many waiting list and its so hard to get in. I was thinking of the college network...how does it work. When i am done where do take the NCLEX RN and the clinical test. Please help me i am very desperate for help.

thank you so much....and god bless

caliotter3 · Jul 12, 2007

The College Network is affiliated with the new Indiana State Univ LVN to RN program that just started up in the Sacramento area. If you are interested in this program, go to the website of Indiana State University and find out about their program. If you go through College Network, you are adding expenses to the program, just as you would be doing if you used College Network to go through the Excelsior program. I believe ISU has not stopped CA students from doing their program without the added expense of College Network, but I may be wrong. Read the threads about this new program on this site to get some background on how people are finding it; but go to the ISU website and see if you can enroll without College Network also. No sense in paying out money unnecessarily. Good luck.

DEBDEB803 · Jul 30, 2007

I'm currently finishing up my LPN program, and I want to start taking excelsior tests. I already have a lot of prereqs done, like english 101-102, microbiology, speech, and some other stuff that can apply as elective credits.
I'm just looking for some good advice or any "heads up" someone can give me about excelsior.
spanx!

Hi! I am a CNA for 14 yrs now, and I was searching the excelsior college site. I am confused about applying directly or just going non-matriculate to earn some credits toward a degree. How were you able to do the LPN program with excelsior? When I called, they told me I can take individual courses or but I must be a LPN already for their nursing program.

DanisTeeta · Aug 14, 2007

I finally graduated from LPN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeeeehawww!!!! Now, just impatiently waiting to take my boards, cant be too soon!!!! Planning on signing up for EC soon as I get my license number!!!

Are the changes effective Oct 1 or Nov 1?????

Thanks :monkeydance:

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2007

:monkeydance::monkeydance::monkeydance:congrats:monkeydance::monkeydance::monkeydance:

changes are in effect 10/1... you need to apply now cause the process takes several weeks. it took 2 weeks after i applied and a couple of days after i enrolled....but you need to be enrolled by 10/1

i finally graduated from lpn!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeeeehawww!!!! now, just impatiently waiting to take my boards, cant be too soon!!!! planning on signing up for ec soon as i get my license number!!!
are the changes effective oct 1 or nov 1?????
thanks :monkeydance:

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2007

I. Love. Excelsior.

www.excelsior.edu

As their motto says, "What you know is more important than where you learned it."