What Is The Best Home Study Lpn-rn School

Jo Dirt · Nov 5, 2004

I am going through Excelsior College. From the research I have gathered it is the best deal for the money. I take my first Nursing Concepts test this coming Tuesday.

With EC you will have to pass a clinical portion (a 2 1/2 day test of your skills) and many people complain that it is very rigid and expensive, especially if you fail the clinical test and have to take it over again (the clinicals are around $1500) however, this is not an overwhelming amount of money compared to what some of the "private" distance learning schools charge (in excess of $20,000 for the program, even though they don't have a clinical "test"). Excelsior is much cheaper than that for the whole course. Many people who go through places like Deaconess do so because they have no nursing experience as an LPN and Excelsior is not an option for them.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

HAPPYNPROUD · Nov 6, 2004

I will officially be a graduate of Excelsior College on November 19, 2004.

It was ideal for my situation being that I did not want to attend classes at a "traditional" school. I can't say anything negative about the program. Excelsior has allowed me to fulfill my dream to become an RN.

As with anything, get all the information you can and make your decision based on your needs.

I paid around $8,000, but I foolishly (in hindsight) used a publishing company. I suggest contacting Excelsior directly for recommended study materials just to save money. Total time from beginning to end was approximately 2.5 years for me with several "breaks" in test-taking due to different circumstances.

I'd be more than happy to answer any other questions you may have...just let me know.

Good Luck,

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Nov 7, 2004

Wowwie. I could've written Lorri's post word for word, except for the November part...... congrats Lorri!! :)

Look around here on this site and you'll find a TON of posts about EC and Deaconess. (I think those are the only 2 distance LPN-RN programs usually talked about, aren't they?)

HAPPYNPROUD · Nov 7, 2004

Thanks Spazzy!!

Wowwie. I could've written Lorri's post word for word, except for the November part...... congrats Lorri!! :)

opalmRN · Nov 8, 2004

I will officially be a graduate of Excelsior College on November 19, 2004.
It was ideal for my situation being that I did not want to attend classes at a "traditional" school. I can't say anything negative about the program. Excelsior has allowed me to fulfill my dream to become an RN.
As with anything, get all the information you can and make your decision based on your needs.
I paid around $8,000, but I foolishly (in hindsight) used a publishing company. I suggest contacting Excelsior directly for recommended study materials just to save money. Total time from beginning to end was approximately 2.5 years for me with several "breaks" in test-taking due to different circumstances.
I'd be more than happy to answer any other questions you may have...just let me know.
Good Luck,

Congratulations Lorri, you must be so relieved to have accomplished this and soon to have it in the past. You are an inspiration to the rest of us!

Opal

HAPPYNPROUD · Nov 8, 2004

Thanks Opal!!

Let me know if I can help any of you in any way....I want to help others the way that Spazzy, Laura, Cindy, Chris and others have helped me along the way. Thanks to you all!!:)

jennifer0223 · Nov 15, 2004

i remember there was discussion about publishing companys and how i wouldn't be registered at indiana state through college netword etc. i just wanted to update and let the ones here know that i received an official letter from the nursing department at indiana state university on their letter head congratulating me on deciding to use college network for my pre reqs and then proceeded to tell me what i would be taking after that through the university. so there is something positive. i have all my study guides now for all 16 pre reqs that i need. i have already started and am very excited. i wish luck to all. please remember that the program i am doing is to go through to my bsn from lpn. i will not get my rn first.

anyway good luck to all graduating and all starting.

jennifer0223

laughing weasel · Nov 15, 2004

Remember that excelsior has several test sights I would pick one that has a high passing rate (some of them will fail you on failing to wash your hands correctly). The best sights that I have heard are Arizona and Wisconsin. Do not listen to any third party BS get your materials from excelsior directly it is ½ the price.

ER911 · Nov 18, 2004

To Spazzy Nurse and Lorri,

Congratulations to you two for a job well done!!!!!!!!!

ER911,

Excelsior Graduate '98

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Nov 18, 2004

ER911---- same right back at you! I just read your post on another thread about how you continued on for your BSN and now you are working on your MSN...... incredible! I hope you are very, very proud of yourself! :)

HannasMom · Nov 18, 2004

I'm planning on beginning Excelsior in January 2005. I have already registered. With the holidays coming I decided to wait before I start testing. Right now, I'm studying for NC1. I was attending a traditional school, to get the rest of the prerequisites for the RN program, d/t the fact that they won't accept the science courses I completed more than 5 years ago, I miss it by one year. I decided that's silly! I completed these courses with A's and B's, why should I do these over again! I am an LPN, working full-time, with two sons at home, a wonderful husband and a very demanding Pomeranian "princess". Right now she is demanding a treat, as she stamps her front paws on the floor, near her snack drawer. Yes, I know she is SPOILED! LOL. So.... I decided to go Excelsior. Hope it turns out to be a good experience.