Would love some advice...

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Specializes in Operating room..

OK...beating a dead horse but I would appreciate some advice. I have been accepted to my local community college's LPN-RN program for the Fall (this means that I will go for 7 weeks in the summer and then a full year after). Well, I just got out of LPN school and I'm tired. It was one year of 19 and 17 credit hour semesters (3 semesters total). I do want my RN (no question), but I am looking at Excelsior now too. I feel like I should be so grateful to be accepted to this Fall's program (I am grateful, just tired :eek: ), but the Excelsior program is looking mighty good to me. I was a good student (finished with an A average). Does anyone have experience with this? Could anyone offer some advice? The main problem comes from the fact that I have 4 little ones and child care is a bear to work around. I mean...4 kids in child care for the summer is pricey.

I have a couple Excelsior questions...

What is this clinical like? Where is it? Local or do you travel?

I am clueless on the program...I keep reading the brochure but it still is hard to follow at times.

I feel like I want to try Excelsior but will I regret giving up a seat to this program? :selfbonk: (20 spots and 200 applicants). I don't know if I want to put my family through another full time year at the local college but will I regret going the Excelsior route? (like I said I am just not familiar with the program).

Thanks for any advice! :yelclap:

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I have a couple Excelsior questions...

What is this clinical like? Where is it? Local or do you travel?

I am clueless on the program...I keep reading the brochure but it still is hard to follow at times.

I feel like I want to try Excelsior but will I regret giving up a seat to this program? :selfbonk: (20 spots and 200 applicants). I don't know if I want to put my family through another full time year at the local college but will I regret going the Excelsior route? (like I said I am just not familiar with the program).

Thanks for any advice! :yelclap:

If I had the option I would go to the traditional college. I am a recent graduate of Excelsior's ADN program and while it can make it possible for certain people who have no other way like me (three small children and a disabled husband and still required to work) if you have a good support system I think you should take advantage of the opportunity.

The theory tests for Excelsior are not so bad but the clinical is a nightmare. People (generally those who passed the clinicals the first time) will tell you the clinical (it's called the CPNE) is very fair and doable. Under perfect conditions it is. But I know from what I saw that depending on the examiner you get the CPNE can be very unfair. It is in the luck of the draw.

Unless you live in Atlanta, Madison or Racine WI, Albany or Syracuse, NY Plano or Amarillo, TX, you will have to travel to take the clinical. And regardless of whether you can finish the theory exams very quickly it will probably take you longer than a year to graduate. There is about a 6 month wait to take the clinical after you finish all your theory exams (you can't schedule the clinical until after you finish the exams)Excelsior only graduates every three months and if you complete all graduation requirements at the beginning of the three months you still have to wait to get your diploma.

Also, if you live in or plan on moving to California, your license will not be accepted without a big hassle. Actually, they say they no longer accept Excelsior graduates at all but I spoke with the BON and found out that what they will require is 360 extra clinical hours...but you won't have this hassle with a regular degree.

I am actually thankful for Excelsior, because there would have been no other option for me to go to school. At the same time, Excelsior is not an easy way out, and if I had the choice I would have chosen to attend a regular school.

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Specializes in Operating room..

Anyone else have any advice or input? I'm not looking for a shortcut or the easy way out. I just am weighing my options and would like some input from those that have "been there". :thankya:

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