jessica.brading

Yes they accept it.

Excelsior provides a study guide for each test that lists the required books. The study guide will guide you as to where to focus in those text books. The study guides are the key and they are free. There are also other resources available such as study guide 101 which are very cheap. The practice exams are very useful from what I have heard (I only used one and it was definitely worth it). Just to give you another opinion and not to influence you at all but I have used TCN and have been completely satisfied with it. I went in knowing that yes I would be paying significantly more in the long run but I would be able to finish much faster because I would have the money available to test whenever I was ready to test since it was financed. TCN is not for everyone but it was right for me and I have had support through the program with them and excelsior. I have finished all the nursing classes and am in the FCCA courses now. I started in April with 2 prereqs. I have only taken every test once and passed. I only used TCN material until the FCCA and now have older versions of fundamentals and med surg books which I payed a total of $25 for. I am an LVN and have a lot of nursing experience as well which has helped me complete so quickly. Good luck and feel free to message me if you want any more of my input lol. Sorry didn't mean for this to get so long. Jessica

Ahh thank you ladies! I am happy that I can be your motivation and if you ever have any questions feel free to message me. I will always offer any advice that I can! I am so glad this board is here for us. Jessica

Oh wow! I am so happy for you that they posted the grade! I am so sorry about your area and will be praying for you and your family! So much stress! We can do it! If you need anything get in touch with me! Jessica

1 a month is a great goal! I have only used 1 practice exam and it was very helpful. I have heard others that used them for all the exams and have never heard a bad thing about them. They really help you find where you are weakest and strongest at. The lifespan 1-3 exams were more difficult than the others to me only because they cover a lot of information and disease processes. NCLEX style questioning. The transitions exam was hard for me to get into (a lot of nursing history and theory not so much clinical) more memorization than judgement. Health differences, chronicity and repro were not super difficult. But you do have to study for everything. This is all just my opinion, the program is different for everyone. Jessica

It really depends on you and your motivation. You have to be a self motivated individual and find ways to keep you going when you are not wanting to study. Some exams are harder than others but the free study guide from excelsior give you all the areas that you need to cover and what books to use. There are many options as far as what materials to use. Some people use all the recommended books or previous editions of them, others use study guide 101, nclex books, or publishing agencies (TCN, RUE, etc) or a mix of all. I took exams about every 2 weeks. How often you take exams is very individual. It depends on finances, how much you plan on studying per day, and your experience. Good luck with the program! Just some info on my experience. I started in March 2012 and had 2 pre reqs. I completed Dev psych in march and Micro in April . I completed 1 nursing course in may, 3 in June, 1 in July (took vacation), and 2 in August. I will begin the FCCA on sept. 3 and then CPNE as soon as I can after being eligible. I studied about 5 hours a night with some breaks to cook dinner etc. I worked full time as an ADON in a LTC facility and have a 9 and 12 year old highly involved in sports. I am telling you this because it's easy to find excuses not to study but if you have the motivation it is possible to study anywhere (basketball games/practices, football fields, wrestling tournaments, on break at work) I had something to study every where I went. Was it hard yes but doable. Just stay motivated and ask your family to be understanding. I had a long talk with my boys and husband before I started so they would understand.

Congrats! I find myself dreading the FCCA...lol

Repro was much easier for me than the lifespans. But I also have 2 children and worked as a tech In labor and delivery for a little while. I think what determines which tests are easier or harder for people I related to what experience they have.

Congrats John! I registered for FCCA today! Paula- I think LS 3 was the hardest of them all...only because it covers so much. And yes I have completed all my courses except FCCA and CPNE.

I use College network...I know others don't like it and it increases the cost...but it's worked great for me. I also used the practice test from excelsior for LS3 and it was helpful as well.

I passed with a C! I only took 10 days to prepare and it was a lot. I don't think I have ever seen so many select all that apply questions. Practice tests from excelsior were very helpful! I got a 72 and a 74 on them so they were right on the money.

I took it through penn foster and just sent my transcript in and it was accepted. I didn't speak to anyone first.

That's what I was told by an excelsior advisor too.

Congrats!

Yes I finished chronicity earlier this month before repro.