What is your experience with ADN program through Excelsior College

caliotter3 · Nov 10, 2009

You can find many threads that address this subject in the distance learning forum. Do not make the mistake of signing a contract with The College Network unless you thoroughly investigate and decide it is best for you. You can buy their study guides on ebay for $15 to $30 apiece instead of incurring a debt that is thousands of dollars in addition to the costs associated with the program. You need to go to Excelsior's website, http://www.excelsior.edu, and become thoroughly familiar with the info there. Everything you need to learn about the program is on the website.

happydrunkcat · Nov 10, 2009

Do not sign up with College Network. You can go straight to EC. Look for information and ask questions here. Call Excelsior - they have been great at answering all my stupid questions :)

I haven't finished yet, but as far as I understand, it is possible to finish within a year or two - depends on how motivated you are, how much time and money you have available, etc.

After you finish all the exams there will be a waiting period before you can take the last test - CPNE (3 days clinical performance test). For now (I called last week) the wait is from 4 to 8 month.

You can apply and then take the first test (Health Safety) before enrolling. Go to EC website, download the study guide (free) so you can see what it is all about. here are plenty of resourses to help you study without paying a ton of money - study guides from Stadygroup101, which is something about $10 per exam (I bought a package - all exams for $55, was very helpful), yahoo groups, like freehelpexcelsiorstudents (wonderful group, lots of support) or rnstudygroup

You can buy used books from half.com, etc. Take your time, do some research. Good Luck!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2009

Got the RN in November, stayed in informatics, got a clinical gig in September and I got promoted today to nurse manager of a 44-bed unit.

I can't speak highly enough of the program.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 10, 2009

Got the RN in November, stayed in informatics, got a clinical gig in September and I got promoted today to nurse manager of a 44-bed unit.
I can't speak highly enough of the program.

OMG, Sue!!!! Congrats!!! :) :) :)

NC Girl BSN · Nov 10, 2009

Got the RN in November, stayed in informatics, got a clinical gig in September and I got promoted today to nurse manager of a 44-bed unit.
I can't speak highly enough of the program.

Congratulations Sue! That is a great accomplishment.

To the OP. I am a EC grad. I graduated Feb 20,2009. EC was so worth my effort.It took me a yr to do the program. My advice is to hang out on the Distance Ed board. Go to the EC website and get educated about their program. They will send you lots of information. TEC DOES NOT endorse College Network. You don't need their modules to pass the test. EC has their own recommended text books. There are also notes you can buy on Ebay but I never really got into them.

TIN65RN · Nov 10, 2009

Got the RN in November, stayed in informatics, got a clinical gig in September and I got promoted today to nurse manager of a 44-bed unit.
I can't speak highly enough of the program.

Congrats Sue!! :yeah: I Graduated Aug 21, passed boards Oct. 9th, Started as an RN on Oct. 12 in a top rated Hospital in my area, and hadn't even worked as an LPN for many years! Like Sue, I can't speak highly enough of EC, and have decided to stay with them for my BSN and maybe beyond! Becoming an RN through EC has trully changed my life!

happydrunkcat · Nov 10, 2009

Got the RN in November, stayed in informatics, got a clinical gig in September and I got promoted today to nurse manager of a 44-bed unit.
I can't speak highly enough of the program.

:ancong!:

TrickieTam · Nov 11, 2009

Wow congrats Sue!!! I just enrolled in EC and I am waiting on my official review to see what classes will transfer. I am so excited about going and looking forward to getting my degree.

readytoroll · Nov 11, 2009

Wow congrats Sue!!! I just enrolled in EC and I am waiting on my official review to see what classes will transfer. I am so excited about going and looking forward to getting my degree.

I just started too! I got my official review and I am starting to study for my first class! They were very good about accepting transfer credits, I didn't have to retake anything!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2009

It was SO worth it.

Thanks, all, for your congratulations. It's wonderful. It wouldn't have mattered how good an LPN I was, without the RN I would never have gotten this spot. And without Excelsior I would not have gotten the RN.

Go for it. You have nothing to lose but your too-limited license.

Pmdc · Nov 11, 2009

My experience with EC was great. If you decide to go with study guides from TCN, Rue, etc., then just buy them used. Some of the publishing companies have shady reputations, and sometimes the line between them and EC gets a little blurred for those who are just learning about EC. EC tries to distance themselves from these companies, but some of the companies make it appear that students must go through them to complete the EC program.

Make sure your state is pro-EC. Some aren't at present time, but I assure you that their reasons for not accepting EC are not based on factual evidence.

As for me, I finshed in about a year. Six months for exams; the rest waiting for the CPNE. I continued on in a traditional program for the BSN, and I'm now in another traditional program working on my masters. Due to my schedule I could have never finished my ASN the traditional way. The traditional programs are getting better in their flexibility for LPN and Paramedic to RN students, but most still have a long way to go.