Published May 14, 2014
mynismrh
17 Posts
Here's my situation. I have been an LPN for 10 years. I was just in a traditional RN program but failed to meet requirements the final semester by .55. I didn't fail out, it will still be a C on my transcript, it's just that the grading system is divided into three sections & if the top section doesn't meet a certain amount of points (56.25, mine was 55.70) they pay no attention to the next 2 sections where I had 96% in each section. I could probably go back & repeat that semester but not until January & I just don't know if I've got it in me to try to juggle a traditional program, my job, and my family obligations again. Like I have the past year. I do really want to be an RN though & I really believe I can do this. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against being an LPN, it was just always my intention to go on to RN then possibly BSN so I feel like I have unfinished business. :-)
Sorry this is such a long post but this forum has been so informative this evening for me & has given me hope where I thought there wasn't any anymore.
Lunah, MSN, RN
14 Articles; 13,773 Posts
Honestly, if you're that close to finishing and can repeat the semester, you're probably better off doing just that. It is likely that you would finish faster that way than via EC, and you wouldn't be paying for everything all over again while also dealing with the potential licensing issues that would come along with being an EC grad.
But yes, you'd get in because you're an LPN, as long as your license is current. There is a lot of info here: https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-distance-808335.html (from the "Articles" tab at the top of the forum). Good luck, whatever you decide!
Thank you for your insight. :) I'm not jumping into anything with both feet just yet, just looking at my options. Thanks again though, it helps to get opinions that aren't my own, just-failed-at- the- finish- line- freaking- out opinions.
NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN
2,690 Posts
I absolutely love Excelsior! But if I was in your shoes, I would have to wait. Excelsior has made a lot of changes since I did their ASN program. Although I'm sure you would do well, there are a lot of what-ifs to consider. For example, if you failed any exam, there is a 60-day wait period before you could retest. A second failure is a longer wait period. The FCCA is now an 8-week course (2 parts), then there is the waiting period for a CPNE testing date. Then, there is a 1-2 month waiting period for official degree conferral date. When I did the program, it took me 8 months from first exam to degree conferral, and that didn't include acceptance time from when I submitted the application and was allowed to enroll.
Other programs may be different, with more or less requirements, but I'd say try to enjoy your summer and winter holidays, and prepare to kick butt come January! I'm really sorry about your last semester!! I know the feeling!! I failed an EC exam back in August and that through my BSN completion back an entire semester, too! I should have been holding that degree in my hands right about now. Failing that exam in August of 2013 meant no degree until October 2014because I was too afraid to retake it and risk an even larger blow to my GPA should I fail it again. So, I opted for the 15-week course.