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If anyone is still reading this topic, I'd like to solicit feedback on class averages. Our requirements are similar to many of those referenced above. Minimum 78 to pass the class and minimum of 78 on test grades (which ultimately = 90% of the class grade) to pass the class, and no more than one test score below passing to pass the class + 90% to pass med math tests. But as someone pointed out, it's where people's grades fall that matters. Our instructors have said that they keep class averages on test grades very consistently at about 82 or 84 with the vast majority of students falling between 80 and 85. That is a middle to low C. That seems low to me as a class average. Anyone else able to share insight on the class standing question? Thx.

SSSLE: good for you for knowing what you want and going after it.... and for your dedication to a long course of training. As far as I know, Excelsior has the most "remote"/online program for nursing but you have to have a LPN or a Paramedic cert to do that program. That program is not without it's challenges which are detailed extensively elsewhere. The community college nursing program in my area (Virginia) is in the process of changing its format. Didactic coursework will be online. In-person labs will be required and so will clinicals, but these will be one to two days a week which is much more feasible for working adult students than quitting to go to school full time. (Not very realistic.) I do think that you will see more and more nursing programs have a larger online component BUT I think that most Boards of Nursing are going to require a fair amount of in-person, hands-on learning. Keep looking! Once you have your RN, if you have a Bachelors in another field, there are a few programs that will let you jump straight to a NP. In the meantime, have you considered whether you might be able to hire a stay-at-home doctor/mom/designated daughter/recent retiree to serve as your medical director? Our docs are always threatening to do something like that ... but I am sure it would be the rare doc who would actually make such a big change. Good luck.

I have considered WGU's program but have not gone there. I'd like to point out that WGU's standards are such that students must have, at a minimum, a 3.0 equivalent to complete each class, not that every student, in every class has done no better than a 3.0. I ran across something a year or so ago ... I think i was a graduate program ... could have been a scholarship opportunity... that had decided to treat WGU grads as if they had a 3.2 GPA. If i can find the reference again, I will post a link.

I am in the program now. Your GPA is 4.0 out of 4.0? You will not have a problem getting in with a 4.0 GPA. I don't know what their preferred TEAS score is. You are probably ok with what you have. Maybe brush up on the English stuff a little if you are going to re-take it. Enrollment has been low lately because so many students are going straight to the BSN programs ... and there has been administration turn over which has caused things to be a bit less orderly at the school than would be ideal. This just means they are going to be happier to have you. With a 4.0, you clearly know how to study. If you work hard at this program, you will do well. Good luck to you!

Have you checked out the Excelsior.edu ADN program? Be sure and look carefully at any "footnotes" for your state. Some states require additional experience or training in addition to completion of the Excelsior degree + passage of the NCLEX. But if you can get thru the program and the NCLEX, last time I checked, only California did not accept applicants from this school.

WGU is one program (among many) that I might consider for a BSN. I have researched a lot of programs. I am encouraged to hear that people have gotten into NP programs with WGU degrees. I understand their grade reporting methodology and have even gone so far as to track down the specific language they use to explain their grading methodology in the letter that accompanies transcripts. I am advised that it states "The student has demonstrated the required competencies by passing the final assessment with a grade equivalent of B or better...." So I am wondering why people seem to be assuming that a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is the value any evaluating party would necessarily assign to a Pass grade. Is this based on actual experience? Is it universal? I found evidence that at least one organization uses a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale when evaluating Pass grades from WGU. (See http://www.weber.edu/wsuimages/multicultural/scholarships/sallie-mae-bank.pdf) From what I am reading on various web posts, I gather that this issue is a struggle for many. There is probably no entirely "fair" way to convert a Pass/Fail grade to a number on a 4.0 scale. I am betting that this alternative, higher-value methodology may be of interest to some... especially if they could ...maybe possibly.... persuade certain other evaluaters that it has merit.

It was my understanding that you did the 250 (or 400) "provisional" status hours after you passed the NCLEX. No? Maybe it can be either before or after. I will have to circle back with Excelsior for clarification. Thx.

I am struggling with the same issue! Union Institute & University offers a M.A. in Health & Wellness with a specialization in Lactation Consulting. But where I work acute care facilities do not recognize this degree. They only recognize MSN's. It's very frustrating. The only other solution I have found is to go the route of a degree in the field of Nutrition but that is not really the focus I am seeking. If/when the (IMHO absurd) requirement that nurse midwives have DNP's comes to pass, I am betting that, in short order, there will be MSN degrees targeted at in-patient obstetrical care. Maybe some will allow for a concentration in Lactation. Anyone else thinking along the same lines?

I am starting the Excelsior ASN (I am an LPN getting RN) program. Wanted to see if there are any others out there in the Northern Virginia/DC area. Thought I might see if there is interest in forming a virtual study/support group. Reply or PM me. Thx & Good luck!

Though a bit dated now, this is excellent info. Thank you to the researchers and contributors, especially paddler. I am saving it to reference when I get to "phase III" of my nursing education.

This is an accredited bricks and mortar college and the program is accepted by the B of N in Maryland, so I have no reservations about it being a "legitimate" program; however, that does not mean it is suitable for everyone. (Me in particular!) As I posted elsewhere: I have this program on my "short list" but their website says that they require 2 years of practice as an LPN and all pre-requisites complete before you can apply. Then you have to WAIT to find out whether you are admitted and spend .... It's 18 months in the program after that which is not bad but still .... lots of waiting and I am not gettin' any younger! I would love to hear from anyone who had had success with this program. It's a "find our own preceptor" program. I worry about what happens if there are complications with finding or continuing to work with a preceptor? Anyone able to share their experience? Thx. If any current students or alumni come across this post, I would love to hear from you on your experience with this program. Knowing whether and how much you worked while in this program would also helpful to me. Thanks.

This string is old but just want to add my 2 cents: I am very pro-CLEP. Here is my story: Several years ago, I was working on a liberal arts degree and transferred from one university to another because the first (a well-regarded land-grant university) eliminated my major. The "receiving" university had no problem accepting me (and my tuition) but once I got there, they wanted me to repeat all these courses I had taken. I said "no way!" and we were about at an impasse. After scouring the college catalog, I realized that the receiving university accepted CLEP tests so I said I will take the CLEP tests and if my score is good enough, that should resolve the matter, right? The super-cranky transfer adviser grudgingly admitted that that would resolve the matter but added that she doubted I would do well enough to pass! Because of time constraints, I took them "cold turkey" (no preparation) and scored very well - which resolved my issue with the school but left me thinking why did I torture myself with all that class time and homework when I could have cut my time in school by... like.... a year!! It was water under the proverbial bridge at that point but it made me true believer. I highly recommend trying them. Worst case: you don't pass, you are out about $100 for the test and you decide to take the classroom version. No great loss in the course of a college education. Now that I am back in for a second nursing credential, I am definitely planning to CLEP anything I can. Good luck!

I would like to know if anyone has successfully used any free Google library (or other free or inexpensive online library) textbooks to study for Excelsior nursing exams. This would be besides your traditional bricks and mortar library, obviously. Thanks.

As of July 2013, Excelsior graduates ARE eligible to practice in Maryland with 1000 of post-licensure clinical experience. According to Excelsior, some states have additional requirements for Excelsior graduates (usually in the form of post-picensure practice hours) but only California has an out-right ban on Excelsior graduates.

Virginia WILL accept an Excelsior credential IF you have 960 hours of practice time in another jurisdiction. You can gain those hours through a federal job or if you happen to be close to DC, this may be a viable option. While a bit discouraging, I am trying to think of this as paid clinical time. It is about the same number of clinical hours as required for a BSN .... but you get paid. If you can manage the logistics, it is not bad.