What is the ACTUAL cost of The College Network?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2007

Why on earth would you use them? They HAVE no LPN to RN course. They pretend to have a connection with www.excelsior.edu but have absolutely NONE.

caliotter3 · Jul 19, 2007

Welcome to allnurses. I have seen where someone did a breakdown of the costs associated with getting a degree with EC using and not using the publishing companies but I don't remember where. I believe it was in the files section of one of the Yahoo study groups. It was quite impressive. I do know that these publishing companies charge the student several thousand dollars for their study materials. The study materials can be bought used on ebay for a fraction of the original cost. If you contact one of these companies, expect a slick sales pitch. Read some of the several posts/threads in the distance learning forum to get the experiences of people using these products. Good luck.

celticwoman61 · Jul 19, 2007

I did not say that I was going to use TCN; I am trying to become an informed consumer and I have been reading the many, many posts here regarding Lpn to Rn and the many options etc. I am confused by prices I see on eBay for used TCN materials vs purchasing directly from TCN website. Thus, my query, "what is the ACTUAL cost?". Is it $500 per module OR $500 TOTAL cost?

I thought TCN material would benefit me as it "appears" to be organized for Excelsior's program; where as, JUST using Excelsior's materials appears daunting to me (buy a stack of misc. text books and away you go?).

I would like to hear from someone who has actually used TCN and completed Excelsior.

Thanks! :uhoh3:

erinp88 · Jul 19, 2007

celticwoman:

You have a very good point. Did you try posting in the distance learning forum?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2007

The College Network charges in the range of $400 to $500 per book, and about $400 per study guide. Am I the only one who thinks that paying $500 per textbook is outright insane?

xNursePinkx2b · Jul 20, 2007

The College Network charges in the range of $400 to $500 per book, and about $400 per study guide. Am I the only one who thinks that paying $500 per textbook is outright insane?

Nope! That's highway robbery! :lol2:

caliotter3 · Jul 20, 2007

When you attend a brick and mortar nursing school you buy the textbooks that are required by the school, so why would you would think that Excelsior College is any different? Excelsior College only lists 7 or 9 references that are used in all of their 7 tests. Nursing schools have more required texts. I know this from experience. No nursing texts have reached the cost of $400 to $500 apiece (at least not yet). Furthermore, more than one person has stated on this site that they found these publishing house "study guides" to be off base, not geared to the tests, and basically useless. We're just trying to save you some money and frustration. You are free to buy any overpriced study material you choose. As long as you are satisfied, that's all that matters.

I stated in my previous post that the total cost is several thousand dollars. I remember that from the reference I gave and other statements by people who have signed these contracts. It is NOT $500 total. If you go back and reread any of the threads, you can find the many examples of people who have used TCN and graduated from Excelsior. Some of them were even happy with what they got. If you read the Excelsior College website, where the school warns you about these other entities, you can state that you were properly warned by the school itself. The warning is very easy to see. I hope that you are happy with whatever decision you make concerning Excelsior.

PMALPN · Jul 20, 2007

I don't use collegue network but Rue educational and like someone said the material is off base also I started about 2004 I am still making payments on it, I have two more payments to make since then, I've done a lots of reasearch and bought extra material to supplement. The best advise I can give you is to purchase the cd's on ebay from 1-7 only about $9.00 it has a lots of info. right to the point with tips and all from people that actually pass excelsior then just pay excelsior the fees they require. Please, please reaserch, and like someone above just said excelsior warned everyone of course is our choice. ignore spelling English is my second language

Good luck

celticwoman61 · Jul 20, 2007

Well. Ok then. Nuff said. How is it that I ask a very simple and direct question and I get my ASS ripped by "well-meaning" folks that I do not even know? That's how it feels.....

If you can't say anything nice; say something nice. On that note, thank you all for your input and unsolicited advice.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2007

On that note, thank you all for your input and unsolicited advice.

You asked a straightforward question and received a potpourri mixture of answers, as well as advice from people with good intentions who do not want you to be ripped off or conned by slick salespersons. The extraneous advice might have been wholly unsolicited, but I conjecture that it was being given to assist you, not to rip you apart.

If you cannot see that we were attempting to help you, then something problematic is occurring. :rolleyes:

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2007

no one is ripping you ,just sharing their personal experiences. you must have known that you would get more than just straight answers on this forum...

well. ok then. nuff said. how is it that i ask a very simple and direct question and i get my ass ripped by "well-meaning" folks that i do not even know? that's how it feels.....

if you can't say anything nice; say something nice. on that note, thank you all for your input and unsolicited advice.