The College Network study guides worth it?

Published

Not the program itself... I have known a bunch of Fire Monkeys that have paid for the program and never even cracked a book ( No offense to fire mokeys ). I would sign up for the Amway sceme before I ever let TCN vampires make a penny off of me.

I have however been told that they are a really good guide for the Excelsior exams.

I ordered anatomy and physiology sealed with the DVDs for 30 bucks from Amazon and was wondering how useful the guides were for the exams across the board?

I dont mind reading entire text books, but on difficult subjects sometimes I just prefer a more summarized version. I also like the fact that I dont have to print anything or need access to a computer.

As I mentioned before I have plenty of disposable income to throw at anatomy/phys, micro, and the nursing exams. Looking for input on these guides.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Fire Monkeys...hehehe...

The College Network material is actually pretty decent... and you understand NOT signing their ridiculous contract....would cost a fortune!!

i already had taken A&P, but took the EC exam for Micro. I used TCN modules for that and all 8 nursing exams. I got 3 B's and 6 A's. So, yeah, it is pretty good material. I also had SG101 for a few exams and some textbooks. Get a Fundamentals book, used. SG101 seemed good but I confess I didn't use it a lot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

People have reported that SG101 guides are better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Although I am not enrolled in Excelsior College, I have utilized used College Network study guides to study for tests in the online RN-to-BSN program in which I am currently enrolled. I purchase them for $15 to $30 from Ebay and Amazon. It sure beats reading the assigned text and completing all the busy work in the course of study.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Although I am not enrolled in Excelsior College, I have utilized used College Network study guides to study for tests in the online RN-to-BSN program in which I am currently enrolled. I purchase them for $15 to $30 from Ebay and Amazon. It sure beats reading the assigned text and completing all the busy work in the course of study.

That at is exactly what I did. Got the whole set for $200 on eBay and passed with great grades!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good to know Barb.

I hate reading tons and tons of information when I am after a few key points. I find most text books great once I have a better working knowledge of what I am studying. I stary with audio, then on to study guides, then the full textbooks to dig out those final bits of knowledge im missing.

Good to know we can benifit from TCN for pennies on the dollar while they get sued for being scam artists.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Good to know we can benifit from TCN for pennies on the dollar while they get sued for being scam artists.

Exactly. Why pay $600 per TCN textbook and get stuck in their contractual hell when you can obtain the gently used study guides on Amazon or Ebay for a fraction of the original cost?

Their business model is predicated on selling grossly overpriced study materials. Although the study materials are good quality, they definitely are not worth $600+ per binder.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I snagged 2 of the nursing books for 13$ a piece, 30$ for anatomy still sealed with DVDs.

Unless I find them useful resources I am sure I can resell them and not loose a dime.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I snagged 2 of the nursing books for 13$ a piece, 30$ for anatomy still sealed with DVDs.

Unless I find them useful resources I am sure I can resell them and not loose a dime.

Awesome!! That's what I did..... bought and sold cheap on eBay!! :sarcastic:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS.

Hey everyone. I'm trying to get into the nursing program at my local college here in TX but got put on a waiting list. I've been told by several coworkers and neighbors that most people are on the waiting list for 2-3 years regardless of GPA (I have a 4.0). I don't want to wait that long.

I've finished all my per-requisite classes for my local college's program but am considering Excelsior's route as an alternative. However, for Excelsior, I need to take college algebra and sociology as well. Have any of you used TCN materials, or any other study guides (CLEP, Rue, ???) for these classes? I can take sociology at my local college next semester (Spring '15) but would like to go ahead and tackle algebra now. I took trig and analytical geometry in high school and did well. But that was back in '93-'94 when I was a junior. I know I'm rusty so I will probably need a good study guide, or I'll have to suffer through a semester long class. Any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Wade

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey everyone. I'm trying to get into the nursing program at my local college here in TX but got put on a waiting list. I've been told by several coworkers and neighbors that most people are on the waiting list for 2-3 years regardless of GPA (I have a 4.0). I don't want to wait that long.

I've finished all my per-requisite classes for my local college's program but am considering Excelsior's route as an alternative. However, for Excelsior, I need to take college algebra and sociology as well. Have any of you used TCN materials, or any other study guides (CLEP, Rue, ???) for these classes? I can take sociology at my local college next semester (Spring '15) but would like to go ahead and tackle algebra now. I took trig and analytical geometry in high school and did well. But that was back in '93-'94 when I was a junior. I know I'm rusty so I will probably need a good study guide, or I'll have to suffer through a semester long class. Any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Wade

Pelase, don't make that mistake, don't get yourself into debt specially that you have taken almost all the pre-requisite classes. Do your research online. If you want study guys buy them from SG 101, they are a great resource. I made that mistake and I'm stuck paying for years. Only If I knew back then what I know now. Hurry up because after July you will be stuck on a 16 week seminar class for every test you have to take.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey everyone. I'm trying to get into the nursing program at my local college here in TX but got put on a waiting list. I've been told by several coworkers and neighbors that most people are on the waiting list for 2-3 years regardless of GPA (I have a 4.0). I don't want to wait that long.

I've finished all my per-requisite classes for my local college's program but am considering Excelsior's route as an alternative. However, for Excelsior, I need to take college algebra and sociology as well. Have any of you used TCN materials, or any other study guides (CLEP, Rue, ???) for these classes? I can take sociology at my local college next semester (Spring '15) but would like to go ahead and tackle algebra now. I took trig and analytical geometry in high school and did well. But that was back in '93-'94 when I was a junior. I know I'm rusty so I will probably need a good study guide, or I'll have to suffer through a semester long class. Any thoughts, suggestions, or opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Wade

You can test out introduction to sociology from UExcel and the college math clep!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion