Starting excelsior after failing traditional program X2

TLR46 · Oct 23, 2008

I hope you are able to fulfill your dreams. I too, am a non-traditional student. I recently completed LPN program in my hometown and now trying to get into RN division. I wish you the best. Some people study better on their on (online courses) than they do in traditional settings.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

You can buy the recommended texts at www.half.com or www.amazon.com for a lot less than new.

I took sticky notes and stuck them on all of the chapters the study guide said to read.

Good luck this time.

blinks14 · Oct 23, 2008

I did not fail a traditional program but left it for a number of reasons, some health related and graduated from Excelsior's program earlier this year. I did not buy many books for the program, I already had most of them. I did have to pick up a book here and there but they were smaller books on the professionalism of nursing.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

welcome to our group!!!

pielęgniarka, RN · Oct 23, 2008

Yep I used many of the books I already had from prev. program. I'm sure I saved oodles by utilizing them. If a course came up and I didn't have the info in my own books, I would go to amazon and buy it paperback for a few bucks. I used those books with the free study guides from EC to prepare for the tests. Also get your RN Nclex book, it has alot of resources you can use in adjunction to the recommended material. good luck!

I did not fail a traditional program but left it for a number of reasons, some health related and graduated from Excelsior's program earlier this year. I did not buy many books for the program, I already had most of them. I did have to pick up a book here and there but they were smaller books on the professionalism of nursing.

momofqc · Oct 23, 2008

How did you divide up the notes and studying? How long did you study before the exam?

pielęgniarka, RN · Oct 23, 2008

You can print out free study outlines for each test from EC. The study guides all have recommended reading material and practice quizzes to prepare for the test with. The tests are divided up into certain percentages on each subject. For instance 50% on Behavioral Responses, 25% on Regulatory Mechanisms, and 25% on Metabolic mechanisms. I would just start at the beginning of the outline, look up the terms in books and take notes. After I had written up a little study guide I would make flashcards of the parts I didn't know as well and memorize that. I took my time with EC, I studied anywhere from 4 months for an exam and my quickest one was 3 weeks of studying. Some of it was review though. I just took it one exam at a time.

How did you divide up the notes and studying? How long did you study before the exam?

ivanh3 · Oct 24, 2008

so here i am.....I am soooo confused and have a major thing w/ knowing how to use my time and organize before I study...so this will definitely be a challenge for me but it's my last hope and option....
My question is....How have you all split up your studying for each test? Will it work if I use my $2000 worth of nursing books or do I need all new books?
I printed out the study guide for health safety ( I can't "enroll" until the $$ gets here, but I'm studying anyways)
Does an online study buddy work?
Any advice or suggestions is more than appreciated.....I am a single mom of 2.....and having overcome depression and now thinking I might have a form of OCD/ADD (due to recent abuse) I am determined to get all the help I can....
Thanks so much,
fellow crazy person who thinks nursing is awesome!!!! :)

As long as your texts are current they should be fine for the major books (med surg, fundamentals, pharm, peds, psych). You might still have to purchase some minor books. Obviously the chapter numbers in the study guide won't correspond with your text if they are different, but the chapter titles should be really close, and the info should be fine as long as it is fairly current.

Having said that. It sounds like you have a lot going on right now. Money is tight for all these days, and it just might get tighter. EC is hard, and it is not cheap. I am not just speaking of dollars. I am speaking of emotional currency as well. Just scan these forums and look at all the post regarding the tears and near breakdowns due to the pressure of going to EC. I think EC is harder than a traditional program for a number of reasons.

I would highly recommend that you work on the issues that you have already identified first (depression, ADD, abuse). Get your life together first. Nursing school will always be around. So will we. :specs:

Ivan

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 24, 2008

Ivan is right...please make sure you are at a place in which you can fully dedicate yourself to EC.

EC is not for everyone--you must be able to learn efficiently without deadlines with very little help. Nursing can be a real bear to learn, of course, even with a teacher cracking the whip. Taking each test is a test of nerves, not just the CPNE. Some people cannot handle that. It doesn't make someone a poor nurse or poor learner--it's just how some people operate.

With that said, if this is indeed the route you want to take, best of luck to you! Lots of people here are supportive and will cheer you on.

I also would replace none of your books, provided they are current and you like them. I think I had one of the actual recommended books, and that was a total fluke that I had it. I used lots of older editions and/or books that hubby still had from his RN program in 2002-2003. I did update his med/surg book, but it was the Lewis book and not the backbreaker that EC recommends.

Anyway, best of luck to you, and let us know how it's going!

caliotter3 · Oct 24, 2008

I have to concur with those who advise you to get a handle on your life issues before you tackle EC. EC is no picnic. Having done both, I can attest to the fact that EC is more difficult. I am winding down and it looks as if I won't be graduating because I can't finish in time. I had severe personal problems, including health problems, interfering throughout my enrollment which I was unable to deal with. My EC studies suffered and now I probably won't reach my goal. Do everything possible to make certain you can give school the attention it deserves so that you won't come away from the experience with nothing more than cancelled checks for money wasted.

Raggedy Ann · Oct 24, 2008

welcome aboard! hope everything goes as planned for you. i had a few roadblocks myself. i enrolled in sept. 07 before the changes took place. i had 3 deaths (mother-in-law,grandmother, and sister) within 8 months. anyway...i had to put ec on hold. too many stressors to concentrate and succeed. however, after putting ec on the back burner... (enrolled,but not testing.) i started studying this past august 1st,2008 and took my first test on the 30th, and i am due to take my 4th exam on the 29th of this month. i basically had to sit out a year and get my life back on track. i had too much on my mind with work and the deaths i was having to work through. like others have posted. this will still be waiting for you when you are truly ready. don't rush into it. it is not easy as some think...the ones that have not gone this route. anyway...good luck to you on your future endeavors, and i hope everything works out good for you. blessings! traci