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.
You will need a sociology. I took the Excelsior Gerontology exam to satisfy it, or you can find a CLEP exam.
Buy the recommended texts, but you can buy the previous editions without a problem. I would not, however, buy the previous Pharm as that changes rapidly. Buy the med/surg, pharm, maternal/child, and peds.
Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.
Thanks from another clueless LPN. I have paid the $75 and had my unofficial assessment done. I have purchased from Amazon (didn't get them yet) the CLEP books for Intro. to Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Sociology, and plan to CLEP these 3 classes. I'm all set with English comp. Thanks to your advice, I am also going to download the guide for Essentials of Nursing Care Health Safety and see if my LPN books (2 years old) are enough, then take to EC exam for that. I am hoping to do this all in 6 months (before my assessement expires) and if all has gone well with these, enroll with EC. Now for the clueless part....does this seem reasonable? Are the CLEP books enough to pass the CLEP exams or should I get textbooks also? The CLEP center is 10 minutes from my house and the nearest Pearson is an hour away, so you see my other dilemma. I also want to enroll in the near future before anything else changes. Does this all sound like I am beginning to get a clue or do you suggest something else?:typing
It sounds like you have a clue, and I don't think your timeline is unreasonable, either, as long as you have the time to devote to studying. CLEP books were generally sufficient for me, but I'd already had a couple of psych classes (intro and abnormal) and a sociology-type class back in the day (it was actually anthropology, so it didn't count), so the material was somewhat familiar to me. When you have enough posts to use the PM system (you'll need 15), PM me with your email address (do NOT post it here, please!) and I'll send you a couple of study aids for the Human Growth & Dev. and Sociology CLEPs. :)
Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.
Thanks so much for the info. I plan to apply for the scholorships as well, we'll see how that goes. I don't know what student loans don't apply to the nursing degree....just another set-back for nurses wanting to go further in their career! Thanks again:redbeathe
As far as LPN vs RN books go, the only difference I see is in the assessment areas. If you pick up books cheap you will be fine. I bought "Assessment, Deligation and Prioitization" and it was the best book I ever bought. Used ATI RN review modules are also a great way to learn assessment. Also, Elsevier, Penhall, and others have student web sites, where you can get additional learning content, nclex quizes, care plans. Every time I get a new book, I look at the inside or back cover and see if they have a site to access. Elsevier is the best, and the Kozier fundamentals web site is good too.
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
You will need a sociology. I took the Excelsior Gerontology exam to satisfy it, or you can find a CLEP exam.
Buy the recommended texts, but you can buy the previous editions without a problem. I would not, however, buy the previous Pharm as that changes rapidly. Buy the med/surg, pharm, maternal/child, and peds.
And good luck!