Thoughts on The College Network...

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Specializes in LTC & Correctional Nursing.

I am graduating October 1st (LPN) and hope to sit for my boards and have my license before the end of November, pretty possible here in Ohio. Anyway, I want to do EC classes for my RN. I have heard good things and bad things about going just through EC and good things and bad things about going through The College Network. A fellow student just had a College Network rep come to her home and explain things to her. I am considering doing the same so that my husband can hear it all at the same time I do and we can make a decision together. My question is...What do you think about The College Network?? Good or bad...I really love this site and value the opinons given on here. Thank you all in advance! :D

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you want to spend thousands extra, go with TCN. Otherwise, go directly to Excelsior. You'll end up paying Excelsior in the end anyway ... and you can buy TCN study guides used on eBay. TCN is a third-party publisher, and Excelsior warns against them.

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You will have to go thru Excelsior college no matter what ...

The college network will only supply you with study guides that will help you prepare for Excelsior college exams.

For example, if for a specific exam you have to read matherial from 3 textbooks of 500 pages each, college network have all the info condensed into 200 pages, which is good for you as you will have to spend less time reading. You will not need to identify which info is relevant for you in textbooks, as College network have already done it in their study guides.

My point is that College network do create good study guides, they just overpriced and you can get them on Ebay without spending a fortune.

But remember, COLLEGE NETWORK DOESNT GIVE COLLEGE DEGREE, ONLY EXCELSIOR DOES.

Before you start any program, you have to assess yourself if you can study independently with no deadlines, no one will tell you that "you have to study now".

I have seen so many people drop-out because they can't do a distance learning

Good luck!

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Lisa,

You think as I think!

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Specializes in LTC & Correctional Nursing.

Good information. Thank you all very much! I have done distance learning before (business classes a couple of years ago) and it worked really well for me. I didn't know that you could buy the guides off Ebay. Does EC tell you what to buy or do I just search Ebay for on TC guides?

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
Good information. Thank you all very much! I have done distance learning before (business classes a couple of years ago) and it worked really well for me. I didn't know that you could buy the guides off Ebay. Does EC tell you what to buy or do I just search Ebay for on TC guides?

The list of books that you need can be found at the EC bookstore. Go there and get the ISBN# and search Amazon, ebay and half.com to get them cheaper.

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The list of books that you need can be found at the EC bookstore. Go there and get the ISBN# and search Amazon, ebay and half.com to get them cheaper.

I agree with everyone here. You do not NEED TCN to get an EC degree, they just try to lighten the load. I purchased TCN directly throught them at $495 per module for exams 3-7. I had already taken exams 1&2, by reading all the text required and using the EC content guides to GUIDE me, it took forever!

This is the trick to TCN, ALWAYS, print and refer to EC content guide to GUIDE your studying with the TCN. Since buying the modules in May I have taken and passed with all A's and 1 C exams 3, 4, 6, & 7. In 3 months I only have exam 5 left! YEAH:)

Best of luck!

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Specializes in LTC & Correctional Nursing.

This is the trick to TCN, ALWAYS, print and refer to EC content guide to GUIDE your studying with the TCN. Since buying the modules in May I have taken and passed with all A's and 1 C exams 3, 4, 6, & 7. In 3 months I only have exam 5 left! YEAH:)

Best of luck!

Wow it sounds like you are doing great!

Thank you all the advice and the encouragement. I cannot wait to graduate and sit for boards and move on and try EC out! :D

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I have used nothing but the texts and EC study guides and I have a 3.8 index.

Go through the guide, stick a post-it at the front of each chapter you need to need as a bookmark, and read. If you don't understand it re-read it again or get someone to explain it.

:)

Edited to add: Use a small bit of the money you save NOT using TCN to take the practice tests.

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, LTC, Prison.

I am presently looking into EC and/or TCN. And you guys are right...I can get all the study material I desire - for a fraction of the price off of Ebay. So with this being said - the only true advantage I can see is the fact that TCN has told me that they will finance all 7 of the NC tests....and EC will not. EC will financeyour ($895) enrollment fee and your ($1900) PNCE fee - but that's it. So if you really need to finance those tests fees...then yes - TCN - if NOT - go to EBAY!

Make sense? :jester:

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I am presently looking into EC and/or TCN. And you guys are right...I can get all the study material I desire - for a fraction of the price off of Ebay. So with this being said - the only true advantage I can see is the fact that TCN has told me that they will finance all 7 of the NC tests....and EC will not. EC will financeyour ($895) enrollment fee and your ($1900) PNCE fee - but that's it. So if you really need to finance those tests fees...then yes - TCN - if NOT - go to EBAY!

Make sense? :jester:

You can "Lay Away" the NC test. They will break them up into 2 payments. But you can't take the test until you pay for them.

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I am presently looking into EC and/or TCN. And you guys are right...I can get all the study material I desire - for a fraction of the price off of Ebay. So with this being said - the only true advantage I can see is the fact that TCN has told me that they will finance all 7 of the NC tests....and EC will not. EC will financeyour ($895) enrollment fee and your ($1900) PNCE fee - but that's it. So if you really need to finance those tests fees...then yes - TCN - if NOT - go to EBAY!

Make sense? :jester:

Sorry for the totally OT post but you only have 3 posts so no PMs. Anyway...OMG you live in Mt Vermin???? I'm from there too!!! Small world!

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