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Discussion

Question about Excelsior

I am trying to do my research before I decide how exactly I am going to pursue my RN. I am currently a Paramedic and work a 24 on 48 off schedule. I pretty much have decided on using Excelsior. I met with a represenative from The College Network and have considered going that route. I have also requested literature straight from Excelsior. Here are my questions.

If I enroll directly with Excelsior is there a contract involved?

Do I have to buy any course material from Excelsior or can I buy from another source, ebay for instance.

If I don't have to buy the course work from them what all do I have to pay for besides the application, enrollment, and yearly fees?

If anyone has gone this route please help me get started in the right direction. Thank you very much in advance.

Zach

Featured Replies

Do not use the College Network.:no: Yes, you can use the materials Excelsior offers, (study guides & online resources)and other resources from ebay such as Lisa Arends, Studygroup 101 & Minnays ($6.00- $60.00 per resource no where near the cost of those useless College Network binders).This will save you about $6500.00 I have take all the Nursing exams with Excelsior and stopped using the College Network stuff after failing the first test. Have passed all the others with the other above listed resources. Just retaking one exam,Lifespan #2) which is my last one and so far it is the most difficult. With Excelsior you have to pay all the application fees and each time you take an exam. You also pay a yearly fee and for the CPNE in the end. Go straight to the source and go to www.excelsior.edu for all your info and skip College Network. Best of luck

  • Author

Thanks for the quick reply. Is Excelsior pretty user friendly as far as scheduling exams and such? I just want to have my ducks in a row before I start. Thanks!!!

Excelsior is VERY friendlt about scheduling exams, which are through PearsonVue. It's also easy to reschedule.

DONOT USE TCN. They are entirely unnecessary.

EC RN here.

:)

Yes very easy. What you usually do is pay to take your test to Excelsior and then when approved(about 2-3 days) you then go online to Pearsonvue(the company that gives the computer test) schedule the test at a center near you and go take the test. Results are given that day if you pass or fail(everything except boards) and you then know where you stand. It takes about 3-4 days for Excelsior to get the results, they confirm them and post them to your transcript. Hope this helps. :D

  • Moderator

Hi Zach! I'm also a medic, and I did the EC RN thing last year. The College Network (TCN) is an unnecessary middleman -- a publishing company whose study guides cost more than the exams to which they correspond. (That still makes no sense to me! Anyway ...) Their materials aren't bad, but can be purchased used for a fraction of the original price.

I suggest you go directly with Excelsior. If you haven't already, create a free account on the Excelsior College (EC) website. Once you've logged in, go here:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/My_Excelsior_College/Excelsior_College_Publications_Request

That is the publications request page. I suggest you download and peruse the "School of Nursing Catalog" and the "AS and AAS in Nursing Viewbook." Also very important -- the PDF called "How Much Will Your Associate Degree in Nursing Cost?" You can use that third one to estimate your costs. Please be aware that the packaged pricing option in that third publication is being discontinued as of October 2, so if you decide that you want to take advantage of it, you might want to get on the horn with EC sooner rather than later!

Welcome to the madness! :D

  • Author

Thanks for all the help! I have learned a lot about what to do and especially what not to do. I am actually going to be starting my first class as soon as I get the books in the mail. I am going to hold off on actually enrolling in Excelsior until I start the nursing classes. Wish me luck! We'll see how Sociology goes. :yeah:

hi zach,

i am also a paramedic and graduated ec last august. i used tcn as well but like booziemgm2, i stopped using them after failing a test. so i agree with others, tcn is not necessary. also, you can also clep sociology to save you money.

good luck and happy studying.

:)

  • Author

I actually plan to CLEP the Sociology then send in my application. After that just go a class at a time. I see everyone on here has their own preferance on what study material to use but what is everyones favorite? Thanks again!!

All I used were the texts. Buy med/surg, peds, maternal/child, and pharm. That'll do ya.

Print out the study guide and stick post-its on the chapters it says to read.

  • Experts
I actually plan to CLEP the Sociology then send in my application. After that just go a class at a time. I see everyone on here has their own preferance on what study material to use but what is everyones favorite? Thanks again!!

One of the advantages of EC is that there is no time limit on your corequisite and general ed courses. As long as you complete the program within seven years of enrollment, you are good to go, without having to repeat anything because it is "too old". So if you want to do one course at a time, as you can afford them, you should have no problem.

Zach, just curious. Why not a local brick/mortar school? I am also a medic and EC grad, but have you considered just going straight for your BSN at a local state college?

  • Author
Zach, just curious. Why not a local brick/mortar school? I am also a medic and EC grad, but have you considered just going straight for your BSN at a local state college?

I don't think a traditional classroom setting is best for me right now. My wife graduates this December with her BA in Early Childhood Education. After she graduates there is the possibilty of relocation so we will both have jobs. I feel that Excelsior will be the most flexible with me in case we do have to relocate. Also the fact that there are no local colleges offering a BSN program doesn't help.

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