Questions about EC

caliotter3 · Jun 19, 2010

You can find input on all of these questions if you do some reading in the distance forum. EC is discussed on a regular basis. The program can be completed in under a year if all you have left are the nursing exams. It is possible to take two exams in one day (not advised) as fast as you feel you can prepare. You can buy any standard text you want to cover the material or you can buy other study materials and you may be able to get around getting their recommended texts altogether. Totally up to you. Passing the CPNE the first time is certainly a possibility, but so is failing it three times. Tests must be taken at a Pearson Vue site. There are hidden costs in extra study materials or workshops for the CPNE or the true costs of the CPNE (hotel room rate, ground transportation, etc.). A lot of these costs can be avoided if you manage yourself in not overdoing the "study aid" temptation. EC is an excellent alternative for those who can't complete a regular program, but it is a gamble in that there is no guarantee that one will pass the CPNE in the end. The CPNE is not known to be a kind experience for the faint of heart.

Godsfavorite · Jun 19, 2010

Thanks - I am new to this forum and will do as you suggested. I am definitely a go getter on the studying part, but do get nervous when a peer is watching over my shoulder so to speak so I am a little leary about the CPNE and I am wanting to make my decision by mid August. Again, thank you for taking the time to reply.:)

GCmomRN · Jun 19, 2010

1. if a person only had nursing credits left and really knocked it out, how long would the nursing classes take you? (meaning how many months per class if you really got at it? (i.e. 2 months per class)

i had 8 nursing exams, plus soc. and lifespan psych. i took my first exam sept 09 and my last exam march 10 and then applied for cpne. took soc in april and taking cpne next weekend, i plan on taking psych in july. i probably could have finished the exams faster if i wanted to. i averaged about 4 weeks.

2. how many months did you have to wait for the clinical part?

applied mid-march, got scheduled in june in npac

3. where can i find what states don't take their credentialing? (i called my

state board of nursing directly and they do, but other states)

i know there have been some posts about this, it's somewhere on the ec site.

4. do i need to buy new textbooks, older version textbooks or none at all?

i have a few new books and a few older editions. i highly reccomend getting at least some of the textbooks, i relied on them for the most part.

5. what is the best studyguides to use in your opinion.

not a big fan of the study guides, i stuck to the content guides and did reseach in the textbooks and online to fill in any missing info.

6. what groups/books/etc. would i use to perform the best at clinicals?

i took a workshop which i think helped a lot, plus the support of people from this site, epn and facebook. i'll find out next weekend how well it all worked!!

7. are their costs that they list real? meaning are there hidden costs they don't tell you about.

i think so, i got in when they offered the payment plan so i didn't have any surprises.

8. how is the testing done - meaning does each nursing class have 3 or 4 (?) tests and do you have to find a pearson testing center to take the test or can you take it at a local college?

each "class" is one exam and you take it at a pearson testing center. there are 8 nursing exams total.

9. can the cpne be passed the first time if you take the extra prep work and really work at it?

hope so! i'll find out next week, but i know many who go in well prepared and pass with no repeats.

10. how did you feel about your overall experience (i.e. would you go through a conventional school if you had to do it over again?)

so far so good! wouldn't have been able to do it any other way.

PiedPiperRN · Jun 20, 2010

As for hidden costs, please keep in mind that you need to travel to the CPNE test site and pay for lodgings. This ran me about $700. Not exactly a hidden cost. You probably also have to buy a new uniform and white shoes (they require you to wear all white.) That was another $40.

Also, the CPNE appliation requries a background check (I think that is about $25), a TB screen and a doctor's visit. Not a lot of money, but hidden costs none the less.

Also, many people buy the practice tests (around $25 I think) although I did not. For 8 tests that is $200.

Finally, you have to buy the books, although you can get these cheap if you get an older edition.

It's annoying because these costs sort of spring up on you when you are least expecting it, but all-in-all it is still much cheaper then any other type of nursing program.

PiedPiperRN · Jun 20, 2010

1. if a person only had nursing credits left and really knocked it out, how long would the nursing classes take you? (meaning how many months per class if you really got at it? (i.e. 2 months per class)
i had 8 nursing exams, plus soc. and lifespan psych. i took my first exam sept 09 and my last exam march 10 and then applied for cpne. took soc in april and taking cpne next weekend, i plan on taking psych in july. i probably could have finished the exams faster if i wanted to. i averaged about 4 weeks.

i think that my only real disappointment in ec was the wait. it will take me about a year to finish the program. i started with the option of having half of another asn program done. i applied in september but wasn't officially given the green light to take tests until mid-december. i had been studing during this time and took my last test in mid-january. (had to take five tests, one test per week.) i applied for the cpne in late january, and got a date for june 11. i will graduate on august 20. i will take boards in late-september. i probably only spent three months during this time actually activly studing, the majority of the ec was waiting for approval for something.

that is awesome that megrt got her program done so quickly, but i do not think that is typical. megrt, did you snag a cancellation date for the cpne?

GCmomRN · Jun 21, 2010

I think that my only real disappointment in EC was the wait. It will take me about a year to finish the program. I started with the option of having half of another ASN program done. I applied in September but wasn't officially given the green light to take tests until mid-December. I had been studing during this time and took my last test in mid-January. (Had to take five tests, one test per week.) I applied for the CPNE in late January, and got a date for June 11. I will graduate on August 20. I will take boards in late-September. I probably only spent three months during this time actually activly studing, the majority of the EC was waiting for approval for something.
That is awesome that MegRT got her program done so quickly, but I do not think that is typical. MegRT, did you snag a cancellation date for the CPNE?

Wow, you got through your tests so quickly!! Not sure if it was a cancellation, but I actually called shortly after I applied and she had that date open. I also called in late-April and she had a cancellation date of May 15, but I didn't feel I was prepared enough for that. So I could have taken it a lot sooner. Where did you apply? I applied to all sites in the NPAC.

PiedPiperRN · Jun 21, 2010

MegRT, I appled to NPAC as well. I was told that this is the quickest site.

I did not call back and check on cancelations, although I did ask to be put on that list. I wonder if I could have gotten a sooner date if I called! (I assumed that they would call me.)

PiedPiperRN · Jun 21, 2010

I also called in late-April and she had a cancellation date of May 15, but I didn't feel I was prepared enough for that.

Actually, since I applied before you did and never got the May 15th option, then I would say that you definately have to call if you want to get an earlier cancellation date!! So that is good to know for others who are looking to speed up the process!!

Godsfavorite · Jun 21, 2010

You guys have been great! Thank you so much for answering the questions and really just aleving my fears. I hadn't been able to talk directly to anyone that has taken classes and I am VERY interested to hear what you think about CPNE and that you have PASSED! I am so excited for you both!

Another question that I can't seem to find again on their website...where are the locations. Someone said to me this week at the hospital that a bunch of their sites to test have closed...I am curious if that is true.

Again, thank you!

Godsfavorite · Jun 30, 2010

So how did it go?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 30, 2010

Another question that I can't seem to find again on their website...where are the locations. Someone said to me this week at the hospital that a bunch of their sites to test have closed...I am curious if that is true.

The sites are in Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas. The Penna. sites closed and then reopened, and the Texas sites have changed locations a bit. I thought I heard something about one of the Georgia sites closing as well, but I'm not sure. Students who apply to test at the NY sites seem to get a date the fastest. I applied to the one Ohio site -- Mansfield -- because it was within driving distance for me, and I didn't take a cancellation date, so it took me about 7 months from application to being at my CPNE. I needed that time, though -- I used it to finish Micro and two CLEPs, then to study for the CPNE.

The sites are split up between regions, into what they call RPACs -- regional performance assessment centers. The Midwestern Performance Assessment Center (MPAC) includes Wisconsin, Ohio, and Texas. The Northern Performance Assessment Center (NPAC) is the NY and Penna. sites. Finally the Southern Performance Assessment Center (SPAC) is the Georgia sites. You can only apply to test in one RPAC at a time, but you can apply to test at multiple sites within each RPAC. Or, like me, if there's one site you want, you can choose only that location, but with the realization that it might slow you down in terms of getting a date.

Everyone worries about the CPNE -- especially when you just hear about it. But I can tell you from experience that by the time you get there, you'll have studied and prepared for it, and you'll know what to expect rather than just this unknown experience with an MSN-prepared nurse hanging over your shoulder with a checklist and a frown. LOL

As far as the nursing exams, I took my first nursing exam on 6/4/07 and took my last nursing exam on 10/17/07 -- that was back when there were 7 exams, not 8, but I had to take all 7 of them -- LPNs can skip one exam, paramedics (like me) cannot. I worked three 12s a week (still do), and the rest of my time was spent studying, studying, studying. There was one month (September 2007) in which I took three exams. A motivated student with enough hours in the day can definitely get through the material quickly.

Another thing to consider is your state BON's acceptance of EC, and if you ever want to move to another state. Because of the lack of clinicals concurrent with theory, some state BONs don't recognize or license EC grads. Info is here:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_College/School_Of_Nursing/Accreditation_and_Licensure/State_Board_Requirements

For most states that have stipulations or extra requirements, coming in with a certain number of hours of RN practice from another EC-friendly location will allow you to endorse in. But some states, like Maryland, will no longer recognize EC grads. I have 3000+ hours of time as an RN at this point, and I cannot drive up the road and work in Maryland. It is what it is. :)

Just a few more things, FYI: You can take two exams before you even enroll, and those are Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety, and Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role. And once you pay the enrollment fee ($895), you start the clock ticking toward the due date of your student services annual fee (SSAF, $440), due each year on the anniversary of your enrollment date. I didn't know I could take exams before enrolling, so I lost $440 in that deal. Whoops!

There are a lot of us in the Distance Learning forum who have completed our ADNs through Excelsior, or who are in the process of doing so. Welcome to Allnurses! :)