Starting Excelsior next month

CRNAsoon · Oct 8, 2004

I've seen Excelsior stuff on eBay before.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2004

I was on ebay not to long ago and excelsior has there own little corner. You may want to try some of these message boards like yahoo excelsior cause this am I say some study guides that were being sold for 50 a piece... Good luck to you. Im going to my local bookstore first ,Im poor.:)

Hi all, I've been out of the net for a long time. This is the last semester for me in college; I thought i'd start searching for and buying used books online in preparation for excelsior. Any one have any good search sites for books? Thanks Jackie

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

You want to be careful about ebay's listings for EC materials. There is a person who lists that she is selling her books or whatever plus tips and tricks "including actual test items."

I reported her to EC and ebay, and she is being watched closely, I am told. Therefore, it would be a hugely good idea NOT to buy from her. Your ID shows up when you bid and when you win. You'll know who she is (not too many people are that brazen). You don't want EC to have any reason to get after you on a violation of the honesty policy, and you don't want to undermine your own progress and growth by being exposed that way.

Having successfully completed my degree at Excelsior College, I have this to offer: I was told by friends here at allnurses at the beginning that I didn't have to buy anything, it was all free on the web. I didn't believe it. I did buy the Chancellor's study guides after quite a bit of research. For what they are, for the price, they are pretty good.

But you don't need them.

Eventually I got everything I needed from the web. EC gives you a great outline. I took that and used google for the topics and read and downloaded, and I got a lot of info and knowlege in the process.

Chancellor's wound up being my "dumbo's feather." It gave me confidence. But it wasn't necessary at all.

If you'd like to PM me, I'm happy to be a resource and support for you. I've volunteered to be a resource alum on EC's site too. It is a terrific way to learn because you can do it the best way for you. They test what you know. Doesn't get much purer than that.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 17, 2004

Gotta ditto what Chris just wrote above... Except that I didn't use anything at all other than what EC offred in the way of books, study guides, etc. So nothing else is really neccessary at all.

Wish you the very best in your endeavors. :)

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

Gotta ditto what Chris just wrote above... Except that I didn't use anything at all other than what EC offred in the way of books, study guides, etc. So nothing else is really neccessary at all.
Wish you the very best in your endeavors. :)

Why, jnette! I had no idea you were an EC alum! I knew I liked you for a good reason!!!

(((jnette!)))

deej · Oct 18, 2004

I did the entire EC program (waiting on CPNE right now) using only the free, downloadable study guides, and used textbooks from half.com. In most cases, the 9th edition of a book is just as useful as the 10th edition, and it's usually a lot cheaper. (Not that much changes from year to year in, say, anatomy.) For example, the 7th edition of Kozier and Erb is $60 on half.com, and the 6th edition (from 1999) is $11.50.

http://www.bestbookbuys.com searches several online bookstores (Amazon, BN, booksamillion, etc.) and gives you the lowest price.

lucydlpn1 · Oct 19, 2004

I am new to this board but if you buy the old edition how do you follow along with the free study guide? I would love to save a few bucks if I can. I am finding excelsior very very expensive

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Oct 19, 2004

You look at the free study guides (which you can download from Excelsior's site with Acrobat, also free) and look for the pages they suggest.

If those pages do not cover the material in the outline, look at the pages before and after.

If that doesn't work, look the topic up in the index.

And if that doesn't work, use google. I personally found google to be the most interesting, and therefore the most efficient, way of learning nursing.

I would also encourage you to join the yahoo group called "nontradnurses." There are files of notes for each of the Excelsior exams, as well as some practice tests. It is possible to save lots of money if you are willing to get creative online.

I thought Excelsior was expensive too, until I considered the cost of a private school, or out of state tuition, and then added in the benefit of not having to show up for class, or risk failing because someone was annoyed with me (just my own little bugaboo).

Plus, if you really put yourself into it, you can finish Excelsior faster than a traditional school, which lets you graduate sooner, take and pass the NCLEX sooner and go to work sooner. All in all, it might save money in the long run.

lucydlpn1 · Oct 19, 2004

Chris Thank you for the information. I am totally freaking about excelsior...I need to pass NC1....I got cocky and tested without studying...boy did I learn quick.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 19, 2004

Hi all, I've been out of the net for a long time. This is the last semester for me in college; I thought i'd start searching for and buying used books online in preparation for excelsior. Any one have any good search sites for books? Thanks Jackie

I graduated from EC three years ago. I did not buy a single study guide. I downloaded the free study guides from EC's website. I bought the books they suggested from www.half.com. You don't have to buy the most current edition. A book 2-4 years old works just fine. Some info just doesn't change. You need to purchase 2-3 books for NC 1 but those same books are the same one's used for NC 2-3 and then onto NC 4 you buy 2-3 more books. The books cost me anywhere from $2.00 to $15.00 a piece. I think the fact that you have to look up all the information, write it down and then study that info makes you retain it far better. Study guides are just the facts. I don't think you learn anything except how to pass the test and empty your wallet at the same time ! I feel that I got a superior education the way I did it. Be care though you have to really stay focused. It's easy to give up. I joined the study group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rnstudygroup/ and there are several others you can find in the yahoo groups home page. This particular site is very active and very thorough. I make friends through the site that I still keep in contact with. They really helped me to keep going. Good luck and hang in there, you can do it!

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Oct 19, 2004

I am currently in EC's program. I shop around for the books online - like everyone said - you can find them pretty cheap. The yahoo group: rnstudygroup has subgroups called study groups that you can join for each course. You will meet people taking the same class and a great resource for study buddies.

I prefer spending my study time reading the assignments; I figure if I put the super study time in now and really learn the material, perhaps the review for the NCLEX will be less intimidating. I do have some study guides, but I only use them for either an introduction or a review.

Best wishes to you!

:balloons: