Since this forum attracts a good number of new members daily, I thought it might be a good idea to post this sticky that addresses some of the more commonly asked questions here. That way, our new members may have a single area where they can find the answers to some of their questions, rather than searching all over the board for it.
**First and foremost, I would like to ask that our new members here refrain from posting your email addresses in your posts, when requesting assistance from current students, or when looking for study buddies. Please note that you are not able to use the email or PM function until you have 15 posts here at Allnurses. Attempting to work around that by posting your email address in your posts will only result in it being edited out by the moderators. Please see this thread for further information: https://allnurses.com/forums/f207/private-messages-available-after-15-post-315542.html
Now for some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here in the Distance Learning forum:
Excelsior College is not an online program. It is a distance ed program, where you test out of the required courses, culminating in taking a clinical performance exam (CPNE) at the end.
Excelsior (EC) is not accepted in CA. If you live in CA, you may want to consider Indiana State University's LPN-BSN program. Other states have stipulations regarding EC graduates. It is necessary to contact your own state's Board of Nursing to determine whether there are any restrictions in your state. See SBON contact info here if needed: https://allnurses.com/boards-of-nursing-info.html
For EC, you can take the first 2 nursing exams before you enroll in the program. You must either be a paramedic, a LPN, or an ASN student, who has completed half the program.
**The College Network, and other companies that say they'll get you your degree through EC or ISU are ONLY PUBLISHING COMPANIES. They DO NOT grant degrees, nor are they officially affiliated with EC at least. You most likely do not need to spend thousand of dollars on these publishing companies. Most likely, a quick check on Ebay for some of these guides will save you a lot of money, and you can avoid signing a contract.** EC provides free course outlines to their students, as well as practice tests on their website (for a fee). Those have proven to be better than anything for some, in studying for the exams.
If you are a paramedic, or have very little nursing experience, you may want to consider doing a CPNE workshop, if you're an EC student. There are a few that are very reputable, and some of the current EC students here can direct you to the best ones. Lynn's & Tina's are well liked, as well as EC's workshop. There are a few snakes out there that will take your money, while not teaching you anything, so check before you sign up for any workshop.
Yes, there is a long wait for the CPNE. It can be anywhere from 3-9 months. You can take the CPNE once you have finished all the nursing exams, and are within 9? credit hours of finishing your gen eds.
No, there aren't any short cuts.
Yes, EC grads do go on to work as RNs in the 'good' jobs.
Yes, EC is accredited (NLN).
If you see that someone was posting that they had study materials several years ago, they probably don't have them any more.
Please don't post, wanting to buy or sell your TCN study guides- your post will have to be deleted by the mods
It may be helpful to read through your CPNE study guide (all 500+ pages of it), note where you have questions, and post here for clarification. It seems overwhelming at first, but it does get better.
There are many, many EC & ISU grads here that were happy with their choices to attend these schools.
OK, grads & current students: that's all I could think of for now. Please add your input or comments, and correct anything I was wrong on. Whew!
If you cannot get federal financial aid for excelsior college. Can you defer old student loans? I know that you can defer loans if you are more than a half time student. But since things at excelsior are not set up as credit hours then how does this work?
Specializes in Spinal Cord Injury Rehab, Med/Surg. SNF.
How can I obtain the study guides for EC w/o enrolling? Tomorrow is my last day to cancel my contract with TCN. I am trying to decide which will be the best route. TCN is convenient, however even with payments it is very expensive. Any suggestions.
How can I obtain the study guides for EC w/o enrolling? Tomorrow is my last day to cancel my contract with TCN. I am trying to decide which will be the best route. TCN is convenient, however even with payments it is very expensive. Any suggestions.
Cancel TCN anyway. STAT.
You can get the guide for the first exam, which is the only one you can take without enrolling, from the site.
The website says they take credit from non-regionaly accredited colleges but they have to be nationally recognized or recognized by the NLN. Is this true. I have taken developemental psych at a non-regionally accredited college and do not want to take it all over again.
Can you send them copies of your official transcripts in your own envelope.
The website says they take credit from non-regionaly accredited colleges but they have to be nationally recognized or recognized by the NLN. Is this true. I have taken developemental psych at a non-regionally accredited college and do not want to take it all over again.
Can you send them copies of your official transcripts in your own envelope.
Schree, only Excelsior can tell you if they will accept your dev psych.
No, official transcripts must come through official channels - when you apply you will send the payments and fees to your prior schools and they will forward them directly to EC.
The website says they take credit from non-regionaly accredited colleges but they have to be nationally recognized or recognized by the NLN. Is this true. I have taken developemental psych at a non-regionally accredited college and do not want to take it all over again.
Can you send them copies of your official transcripts in your own envelope.
You have to send the official transcript unopened in its original envelope, and then you send it in your own envelope with the rest of your transcripts, if you have more. If you break the seal on the original, it's technically not official anymore.
Otherwise, only Excelsior can tell you if it is accepted or not.
thank you for a comprehensive answer to many questions. You have saved folks lots of time and money. I don't need EC's services but with your help there will be something I'm interested in knowing that will be cleared up. Thanks. travel225:typing
What is the difference between an online and distance educational program? I saw both terms used in the first post of this thread and I'm confused - I use them interchangeably. Am I incorrect? Are they different? Thanks.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Online consists of actual online classes, guided by an educator. Distance Learning is a format where you have no online classes, but test out of each course with self-study.
Whew!
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
I doubt it, vonsay.