When should I apply to Excelsior?

Published

I graduate LPN school in 6/08. When should I apply for Excelsior? I wasn't sure if I have to pass boards first, or if I can apply & then begin after I pass them. I was also wondering if the classes begin every month, or only certain months of the year.

My LPN school is encouraging everyone to use College Network. Would this be a better way???

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You'll need your license to apply.

TCN is just a big publishing house that costs a lot of money and is NOT affiliated with Excelsior. They often end up making you take courses Excelsior won't require.

Excelsior does not have classes per se although you can take some courses. The nursing is all by examination - you do the reading and stdying from the guides they provide and take the test when you're ready.

I'm in Excelsior and should take my last test in a couple of weeks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I graduate LPN school in 6/08. When should I apply for Excelsior? I wasn't sure if I have to pass boards first, or if I can apply & then begin after I pass them. I was also wondering if the classes begin every month, or only certain months of the year.

My LPN school is encouraging everyone to use College Network. Would this be a better way???

Thanks!

If you want to pay thousands of dollar more(and I do mean thousands!) then go ahead and sign up for College Network.But if you want to apply directly to EC Nursing program then you have to wait until you have your LPN license. You can take all your prerequisite Clep test before applying to the school. I would focus on nursing school right now and when your finished, take the first exam: Essential in Health Safety to see if EC will be the right school for you. If you find that you have a hard time studying on your own then you will just be out of $205 dollars. But if you graduate and sign up with TCN then you will have to sign a contract and pay for the whole program whether its the right fit or not. TCN charges $500 per exam plus the cost to take it at Pearson and Vue. ($160) Total: $660 per exam. If you enroll directly with EC it cost $205 per exam and that includes testing fees. So you decide which one you would rather pay. Also once you sign the TCN contract, there is no turning back, Whether you like it or not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go the the website for Excelsior: http://www.excelsior.edu and become very familiar with it. Read the nursing school catalog. If you are still interested, download the catalog so you have it for reference; download the study guide for the first test. Prepare for and take the first test. (Many people recommend taking the EC practice tests ($60). You will have an idea how the tests are. The general ed stuff can always be taken at the local comm college or you can go the route of taking CLEP exams, etc. The info is all there on the EC website. If you have any questions you can always call them. They are very helpful.

There is a yearly admin fee to stay enrolled, once enrolled. So if money is tight, suggest you get as many of the general ed stuff done at your local comm college prior to enrolling. It's a scheduling thing. The longer you are enrolled, (but there is a drop dead deadline for completion of the program), the more it will cost. Plus there is also the possibility of changes where you might not be grandfathered. So don't waste any time once you make your decision to do it. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I forgot to mention something very important. Although it can and has been done, that is go straight from LPN school to Excelsior, you must keep in mind that there is a killer clinical skills test at the end that many fail. You should factor in getting some work experience so you can practice your skills and give yourself a better chance at success.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion