Recent LPN Graduate Seeking Clarification on Excelsior

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Hello everyone,

I am a new graduate LPN and will be enrolling in Excelsior next month. I have been researching Excelsior for about 2 years and wanted to have something clarified by anyone who has enrolled with Excelsior with the prerequisite courses already completed through a traditional college.

Is it my correct understanding since the prerequisite courses that are a part of the LVN/LPN to Associate Degree RN are already completed through traditional college, that the only requirements of me are to complete the 7 nursing exams, minus 1 of them that is credited and not required as an LPN and the CPNE?

I called Excelsior today and was advised that any of the courses listed that are required, that have been taken through other education channels, such as community college, etc...would not have to be repeated for this program; however, I had a student recently tell me she had tried to apply with Excelsior and they wouldn't accept her A&P, Communications, etc...

So, in a nutshell, I just need clarification on whether or not I would only be responsible for the nursing concept exams and the CPNE or if I am giong to have to repeat the other courses and pay their per credit hour costs.

I have enjoyed reading the other posts regarding Excelsior vs. the publishing agencies and have definitely learned to find those study guides used online somewhere, anywhere, other than the publishing companies.

Thanks a million for any input. I greatly appreciate it!

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Specializes in LTC, Research.

When I enrolled they accepted:

Psychology (CLEP)

Developmental Psych (CLEP)

Microbiology (traditional college course)

they accepted all my credits with no problems. The only credits they didn't accept were for A&P and only because it was a 2 semester course and I had only done 1 semester of it.

They seem pretty liberal about the credits they accept, but to be sure eventually you'll have to apply/enroll.

Hope this helps,

Lisa

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Specializes in LTC, Sub-acute, correctional.

I found them to be quite fair in accepting most of my old credits. I did have to take Lifespan Developmental Psychology and Microbiology because none of my previous courses really covered that, plus all of the nursing courses.

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They'll take just about everything you have - my counselor said to me on the phone, "You don't need a lot of school, you need some credits."

Thank goodness for them. They are designed for the self-motivated, non-traditional, adult, self-learning student.

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Specializes in LTAC, Telemetry, Thoracic Surgery, ED.

The best advise I can give is send in your transcripts for eval then you will know for sure but unless they don't meet the requirements for that course they should be accepted. And there's always CLEP tests for any credits you still need :)

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They took all my previuos credits I will advise also that you send the transcrip you do not need to be register for that, also know that excelsior is changing the program effective October 1,2007 so if you are not officially register you would have to do a lot more extra classes so, please reasearch is good but, now you need to act and quick. good luck to you

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Specializes in PICU, ED, Infection Control, Education, cardiology.

I agree that you should send your stuff in now to avoid the cut off date in Oct. I just finished all my requirements for EC and graduate 9/21 and the prices are going up all the time! The new changes will just mean more money too. I would suggest taking the remaining credits for pre-reqs at a comm. college. I am in NY and its only like $100 a credit(EC is like 280), unless you take an exam. I also recommend Lisa Arends CD's from Ebay. They are like 10 bucks and I used them to pass all my exams. Can't say enough about those.

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Thanks to all that replied! The information provided to me has been extremely helpful. I am applying before the Oct 1 deadline to eliminate additional costs and courses that they're going to require after that date. I was told by EC that I had to have my license as an LPN, but could go ahead and pay the 75.00 and apply to the college. Right now I'm simply waiting on the ATT from NM, which seems to be taking forever and can't seem to get straight answers or return calls. Thanks again to everyone that replied!

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