Question about Excelsior

[zmealey]

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

[Islandgurlie]

I was wondering if hospitals on long island employ grads of the AAS/RN from Excelsior or they frown on that way of attaining the degree.

Anyone works at a hospital on Long island went to excelsior?

Thanks.

[golitely]

I appreciate the long blog entry. It's very informative.

What is the current status of LPN to RN since 2007?

Currently, does NY State accept an LPN that failed nursing school in the final semester of clinicals?

I have seen the LPN to RN route is not valid in all states.

See http://www.indstate.edu/nursing/images/icons/states-that-recognize-isu-lpn-bs.GIF

This is for the LPN to RN offered here at Indiana State http://www.indstate.edu/nursing/programs/bs/lpn-bs/lpn-bs.htm

[Sassyraven]

I am sorry but I am still a little confused after reading all the information here and on the website. Where do you purchase the textbooks everyone is talking about? Are these excelsior textbooks or just from your local college or bookstore? What if you just want to take the clep test for your general ed classes? Or should you use excelsiors study guides and text for these as well? I know I have read that it is cheaper to take the cleps but...... How do I take the first two nursing exams without enrolling? Don't I have to have a registration number from excelsior to be able to register through pearsonvue to actually TAKE the tests?

Thank you very much for all your help, I appreciate it.

[zebsmom2002]

Things may have changed, so if someone has more recent information, please let us know. When I took the tests, I wasn't enrolled, but Excelsior sent me the number to give Pearson when I paid for the tests.

You can get the books anywhere you want, they're just regular text books & they give you a list you can chose from. Don't buy all of them. One'll do.

My understanding is that it's easier to deal with the college credits if you take the tests thru a college, rather than just doing CLEP.

It would probably be cheapest if you onlywant gen ed & aren't interested in the nursing program, to take online classes thru your local community college--where I am, it's only about $20 a unit.

Excelsior has study guides, which were free when I went there-I don't know if they still are. They also had additional, more detailed guides you have to pay for. There are a lot of places that sell (very pricy) study guides for the excelsior classes. The quality is variable & many people are disappointed.

Hope this helps

[craftygal43]

You can purchase your textbooks through Excelsior or they can give you a list and you can order them from your local book store. (Borders or Barnes and Noble). You can even find them at times on ebay. These are regular textbooks you would use on any college campus. Hardback books with cd's, very high quality. I didnt buy all of them. I couldnt afford to. I just graduated in June this year and while I got all my pre-reqs through EC, there were only 2 at the time that I could clep out of. The rest you can get at your local college or get them online through EC or any other college. EC doesn't have a set class schedule. You are responsible to setting your own schedule to study. I would set goals, weekly,monthly and yearly goals because since it is self paced you tend to get in a rut and put it on the back burner if you arent careful. Your first step would be to call and talk to a nursing counsellor. She will have you send them a copy of your transcript and then talk to you about actual classes you will need to take for pre reqs. She will send you a sample of the study guide in the mail if you request it. You can study only the study guide without the textbook. I signed up with Chancellors and used their study guides. I couldnt have passed without them. They give you a thick study guide for a specific course (call them or check them out online) Their study guides give you only the information you need to pass the test. This program isn't meant to "teach" in the traditional way. They are assuming you already know some things medical/nursing. I also signed up for EC online practice tests for each specific test I studied for. They cost you but you use that and you WILL pass the tests. Once you get ready to take the test, you can register online with Pearson Vue and schedule your own test online. I hope this helps.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I signed up with Chancellors and used their study guides. I couldnt have passed without them. They give you a thick study guide for a specific course (call them or check them out online)

Chancellor's is similar to TCN -- both add thousands and thousands of unnecessary dollars to the total cost of the EC education. I'd avoid signing a contract with any publishing company, period. You can buy used study guides on eBay or directly from other students. Just my opinion, of course -- I'm a budget girl. YMMV.

[Sandcastles, ASN, RN]

Thank you LunahRN for your always informative and helpful posts.They always help me,as someone is always asking a similar question to what I want to know;).I am currently doing my pre-reqs and in the midst of deciding wether when Im done if I will be applying to EC or ISU.Im still researching both.Not sure what will be the best route for me.

I wanted to add I am doing Life Span currently and got a textbook off www.paperbackswap.com Those looking for books may want to join there.Its free to join and when you list books you get credits for free books.Even if you have no books to list ,any book on the site is only 3.50 and that includes shipping,you just buy the book credits.Cheaper than Amazon and Ebay.They add tons of new books everyday.... Good luck to you all!