4YearNurse

HollyBerry, Good Luck with EC. I, too, live in CT. I have 3 exams left before my CPNE for LPN to RN. I did the majority of my pre-reqs with EC as well. Luckily, I researched TCN and decided I could go directly through EC. I did pick up a module or two on Ebay, but really found them a waste of time. I purchased older editions of recommended texts for a fraction of the new cost, did the EC practice exams, a must!!! I have gotten all A's and B's thus far. I will probably be about 2 1/2 years into the process when I finish, but work full-time and per diem and have two children. I study slower than some have reported, but hey, it's getting done! Take your time, study at your own pace, test when you feel ready and you'll do fine! Good luck.

Studying for Transitions now....beyond BORING! Took the practice exam today got a 61 on the first one. Back to studying the boring stuff I guess!

Thanks to all of you for the encouragement...it really helps. Family is there, but they really don't "get it". I just need to suck it up and snap out of my rut...it sounds like others have been where I am and have succeeded and that is the best help! I also think planning my exam a month away is good incentive to putting a plan in place and sticking to it. I tend to procrastinate with "life" after getting out of work and only study on weekends, that would help stick to the plan and I will do that. I figure I will take Micro once this distracting summer weather goes away regardless of where I am with the other exams...I agree leaving it for the end would be a mistake...I want the CPNE to be the grand finale. Anyway, thanks so much for the help. One last thing, I have taken health safety, doing Transitions to RN now, any other suggestions on which order to take the others? Thanks....my LPN paycheck!

It's not that LPN's doing the RN program don't know Anatomy. I care for an influx of varied medical issues on a daily basis and have enough knowledge of anatomy to do that effectively. However, do I remember from 4 years ago about the chemical make-up of cells in detail or the physiological response of every neurotransmitter and hormone in the body???? NO! The A&P through Excelsior is a combination of both A&P 1 & 2 combined with one test at the end...an insanely huge amount of material that you must know ALL of in order to be prepared for what may be on the exam. The basic Anatomy that nurses must know on a daily basis is not indicative of what is needed for this exam. LPNs DO know Anatomy, but I'm sure none of us claim to be experts on it. After passing the exam with an A, I feel I know much more. Once I have my RN and don't use this info on a daily basis, I'm sure I will again no longer be an expert on A&P, but will have retained enough to perform quality care.

Doing LPN to RN through Excelsior, finished all pre-reqs except Micro with them (waiting awhile for that one, still traumatized from A & P). Just passed Health Safety and started studying Transitions to RN (boring!). Still have other nursing courses, CPNE and yes Micro. Started to get discouraged and feel there is no end is sight. Only incentive is working everyday as an LPN Charge nurse, doing the work of RN and getting LPN pay. Really wondering at this point if I will have the energy or ability to pass CPNE when I someday finished these exams. Tend to overstudy...taking 2-3 months per exam. I hear of others studying a couple weeks and taking 2-3 exams at once? Please give me any encouragement you may have...really need some! Thanks.

I took A&P about a month ago after studying 6 months...yes, I tend to overstudy! Used Lisa Arends, bought a cheap TCN on ebay, 3 different text books, cliff notes and took the practice exams getting a 52 and a 38...in that order! Was petrified to take the test...got an A! Relax, and study everything on the content guide, you never know what will be on it out of all the information...that's the scary part. You'll do fine if you prepare.

Where in CT are you? I'm in Eastern CT. I've been an LPN for 4 years in Long-Term Care and have 2 pre-reqs left before moving onto the nursing courses.

Glad to hear that, so far, for you the nursing courses are doable. I chose to do all my general ed courses first through Excelsior, will be testing on A&P in May and then only have Micro left. I have been reading blogs that state having studied like 7 months each for the nursing exams, that got me doing addition and thinking..."When exactly will I finally be done?". I'm a pretty determined self-studier and, I feel, a thorough LPN. This gives me some hope. I would really like to complete my nursing exams over the summer/fall and sign up for the dreaded CPNE by the end of the year. This will entail a 2 year process up to that point, which is what I had planned on. I purposely did all my courses and exams first so I can dedicate all my studying to the CPNE once it is time. Also, where are the workshops held? I don't see a listing anywhere. I am in CT. I plan to take my CPNE in NY, I see there are like 5 different sites available there. Any input on the particular sites that anyone has gone to? Thanks so much for the support!!!

I am an LPN Charge Nurse. Part of my duties (in addition to meds and treatments for 26 Dementia patients, and supervising CNAs) is precepting new RN Grads and new LPN Grads. I have repeatedly found the new LPNs much better suited to work in long-term care based on their varied and extensive clinical experience. The new RNs have had only Hospital clinical experience on at most 5 patients at a time. They have read most procedures only in books (catheters, etc.) where LPNs have physically performed these tasks repeatedly. I also found that the new RNs tend to have a chip on thier shoulder towards LPNs, even when they are being trained by one! I am two months away from finishing my RN through distance learning, which I have done for financial and advancement purposes, not status purposes. I am proud to be an LPN and everything it represents. However, in my State of CT, they have decided due to budget cuts to eliminate all state funded LPN programs. This will greatly add to the elimination of LPNs. Unfortunately, there is no current nursing shortage in our area and RNs are taking jobs that historically had only been available to LPNs, basically because RNs felt the positions were below them. LPNs are a vital part of the healthcare team, perhaps not in all areas of acute care due to their legal restrictions not their ability, but definitely in long-term care, developmentally disabled, home-care, school nurse, etc. Personally, if ill, I would choose an experienced LPN to take care of me over a fairly new RN any day!

If you go to the online bookstore and type in your class, it will tell you required texts and suggested texts. They are also listed in the coorifice guide. I have a large book bundle for sale on ebay with all the required and recommended texts as well as the coorifice guide if you are interested. Search ebay for Lifespan Psychology and you will see the bundle. This was all I used to study for the exam. I probably over bought books, but I was well prepared.

I have all my Lifespan Books for sale on Ebay if anyone is interested, also have them in the book exchange, huge book bundle, way over bought, but it paid off!

can you do any nursing courses while you wait or do you have to do them before you schedule your clinicals?

:bowingpurTook my Lifespan Development exam at Pearson this morning and got a B! Am very thrilled and relieved. Glad it's over. Glad I can share my news with people who understand through this forum! On to Gerontology, Medical Ethics, Communication and dreading A&P and Micro. Then doing the nursing courses after general eds are done. On my way, I finally feel it may be possible!

I took my Lifespan Psychology exam this morning at Pearson and got a B! I had strong doubts while taking it, but I was glad it was 130 questions so they didn't count much each. First off-line exam under my belt, now on to Gerontology, Ethics, Communication and the dreaded A&P and Micro. I'm doing all my general eds before I start the nursing courses so I can just concentrate on those once I get there! Thanks for the good wishes...it worked! Glad it is over.

Taking my lifespan exam in the morning....freaking out! took the practice exam today and got 70 on part a and 79 on part b. really hate those theories and the questions that seem all correct! no sleep tonite.:bowingpur

I'm taking the Lifespan exam in the morning and am freaking out! I took the practice exam and got 70 on part a and 79 on part b. I really hate this theory stuff. I can't wait until it is over. I just hope I pass!

Thanks again. Would you recommend micro before a&P then?

Thanks so much for the information. Yet again, I messed up and have already paide for Lifespan, which I take on Thursday at Pearson, and Gerontology, which I need to take by October 1. Oh well, live and learn. As long as I end up an RN in the end, it will be worth it. My biggest concern is doing Micro and A&P through EC. I can't imagine learning 2 semesters of A&P to be able to take the exam. Is is really possible. I am a great self-studier but do work 2 jobs and.....life! I just want to make sure it is possible to do. Thanks again for the advice. I do miss the classmates I had in LPN school, this is definitely a solo adventure. It helps to be able to chat with others that have been through this.

Hi I am new to Excelsior College, taking my first exam this week. I am from Eastern CT am an LPN Charge Nurse in a dementia unit and also work per diem for the state.

Congrats, I take Lifespan exam this week...sooooo nervous, this theory stuff was my least favorite in LPN school and remains my least favorite....just hoping to pass and onto A&P and micro....very nervous about those

I am taking my first "off-line" exam next week for Lifespan development, bought every book and study guide possible, probably over-bought! Am very nervous though. Next is Gerontology and Medical Ethics, then the dreaded A&P and Microbiology which scare me to death, is it really possible to learn 2 semesters worth on your own? I don't want to spend the money and fail...it just seems next to impossible to remember that much for 1 exam! Also, I made the stupid mistake of enrolling in EC while still doing General courses, dumb! If I don't finish by the time my year is up do I have to register again, or can I wait at that point until I "need" to register without them penalizing me?

I am also facing and dreading A&P, debating whether to take it a local college instead, but that will be 2 semesters and I don't know if they will let me anyway without bio. Is it actually possible to self-learn 2 semesters worth and test out??? Please give me your advice. Thanks

taking Lifespan Development in July...any pointers?

Thanks so much for the info. I plan to apply for the scholorships as well, we'll see how that goes. I don't know what student loans don't apply to the nursing degree....just another set-back for nurses wanting to go further in their career! Thanks again:redbeathe

Thanks from another clueless LPN. I have paid the $75 and had my unofficial assessment done. I have purchased from Amazon (didn't get them yet) the CLEP books for Intro. to Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Sociology, and plan to CLEP these 3 classes. I'm all set with English comp. Thanks to your advice, I am also going to download the guide for Essentials of Nursing Care Health Safety and see if my LPN books (2 years old) are enough, then take to EC exam for that. I am hoping to do this all in 6 months (before my assessement expires) and if all has gone well with these, enroll with EC. Now for the clueless part....does this seem reasonable? Are the CLEP books enough to pass the CLEP exams or should I get textbooks also? The CLEP center is 10 minutes from my house and the nearest Pearson is an hour away, so you see my other dilemma. I also want to enroll in the near future before anything else changes. Does this all sound like I am beginning to get a clue or do you suggest something else?:typing