Yeah another LPN clueless about excelsior...Please Help

Published

I have read alot of posts on here as well as read the excelsior website and printed the manuel. I am still lost. I have registered on their site. I would like to take NC1 and possible NC2 before applying. I can do that right? Money is tight right now but if I can get those 2 out of the way I can save for the other fees. Also I read in a post on here you can take all the classes that are not nursing before registering. Is this true?

I have some pre-reqs done thru my community college. Anat 1 with the lab, ethics, english and intermediate algebra. I am interested in Excelsior because as a mom working full-time and raising 3 kids, sometimes I dont have time to take a test that day. I was taking online classes and we had 24 hrs to get the test done and it I had school functions with the kids or had to work late it was hard to get it done. With excelsior I can schedule it when it is convientant for me and my family.

So, please help. What is required to get NC 1 and NC 2 done. Can I take them without officially registering? Right now at my cc my GPA is 2.92 so do I need to take a class to get that up to a 3.0?

Also which tests do you recommend trying to CLEP? And lastley which nursing componets would NC1 and NC 2 fall under is see nurx104 nurx211 etc.

I have called and talked to them long ago but would like to hear from someone actually enrolled.

Thank You,

Mindy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

As an LPN, you will probably not need to take NC2 (now called Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences). That particular exam is generally waived for licensed LPNs.

Here are the names of the new exams (no longer Nursing Concepts 1, Nursing Concepts 2, etc.):

* Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety = NC1

* Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Differences = NC2

* Essentials of Nursing Care: Chronicity = NC3 + functional assessment (new) + end of life care (new)

* Essentials of Nursing Care: Reproductive Health = NC3 + congenital anomalies (was in NC4)

* Health Differences Across the Life Span 1 = NC4 (minus congenital anomalies)

* Health Differences Across the Life Span 2 = NC5 + cognitive assessment (new)

* Health Differences Across the Life Span 3 = NC6

* Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse = NC7/Foundations of Professional Practice

You will also have to take the Focused Clinical Competencies Assessment (FCCA) as well as the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE).

You will not know what you need to CLEP until you have your credits evaluated. My advice to you (as an EC grad) is to go ahead and spend the $75 and apply so you'll know the exact credit requirements. In the meantime, download the free exam content guide for the first exam -- Essentials of Nursing Care: Health Safety. Begin to study. When you are ready to take that first exam, you'll pay EC for the exam, and register to test at a Pearson Professional Center (http://www.pearsonvue.com) closest to your home. You can take the first nursing exam and all general ed classes before you actually have to pay the $895 enrollment fee and officially enroll.

Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks Lunah. Do I need to apply and pay the $75 before I can take the NC1 test and the Gen ed tests. I know this seems silly but there is just an overwhelming amount of information both on this board and the excelsior site.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

No, you do not need to apply before the first exam. But I think you'll find that the studying will go quickly for the first exam, and you'll probably be ready for more before you know it! And you'll need to know exactly which gen ed classes you'll need before continuing, so it's worth it to spend the $75 and get your unofficial evaluation done. (You'll get an "official" evaluation when you enroll; it's just not official before you enroll because you'll be subject to whichever curriculum is in place at the time of your enrollment. But as far as I know, they're not planning any curriculum changes at this time.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Lunah, thanks for all the information. I appreciate it. One more question. Is the packet I printed off for NC1 going to be enough to pass the test or should I get an additional study guide?

:clown:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The exam content guide is an outline of what you need to learn -- think of it as your syllabus. :) I'd invest in a good Fundamentals of Nursing textbook, definitely. I think Kozier's Fundamentals is still the recommended text, and you can usually find it dirt cheap on half.com or amazon.com -- I think I got mine for $13 on Amazon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Lunah thank you. I was reading some other CLEP posts and you are always so helpful :yeah:. Makes newbies like us a little less stressed about all of this.

Thanks again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

lunah about summed it up ...however i want to encourage you to apply for scholarships through ec...i did and got one worth $750 and it paid for 3 tests...i also encourage you to take the ec practice test for each exam..very helpful in showing you what the real test is about ....good luck to you:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Excelsior is not cheap, but it will allow you to be flexible, which can allow you to work more and stay with your kiddos. It's also important to see if your state has restrictions on EC graduates as well. If you have books that are recent enough from your LPN studies, use those and supplement with whatever else EC recommends. I love alibris.com and Half Price Books. You do have to have nerves of steel, though, to do the program. Each concepts test gives you the grade for the whole "course," so it is a bit daunting but doable. You can bet on needing the first test in the nursing series, so it would be an idea to start studying for that one. For the other stuff, though, getting the official advisement would be the way to go. Good luck!

(Lunah made it sound a lot prettier than me. That's why she's a guide and I'm a cheapo regular member. :D)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

lol... your contributions on this board are very appreciated and wanted...girl you are too funny....

(lunah made it sound a lot prettier than me. that's why she's a guide and i'm a cheapo regular member. :D)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I use my LPN books. I did buy a book thru Amazon for the Lifespan psychology course, which cost 9 cents & s/h and the workbook which was 2.50 & s/h. Both in great shape. Other than that, use what you have and buy cheap thru ebay, half.com, or overstock.com. I find the content not that difficult, and I graduated from LPN school 2yrs ago.

I'm also gonna clep the heck outta everything after I get my ADN, so I can go to my BSN without the additional stress & expense! Plus, I also work, have kids, etc. EC lets you download the exam guides, study and when you scrape up the money, take the test. So, you can take as many tests as you can afford and you can stand to take at one time.

Good luck! You found the best community for distance learning anywhere!:bow:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, ER.
lunah about summed it up ...however i want to encourage you to apply for scholarships through ec...i did and got one worth $750 and it paid for 3 tests...i also encourage you to take the ec practice test for each exam..very helpful in showing you what the real test is about ....good luck to you:wink2:

scholarships-duh! thanks, i totally didn't think to look into ec scholarships.

once again, youse to the rescue!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion