10 yr LPN going to get RN from Excelsior, TIPS?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2017

HI! Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

I moved your thread for best response.

NurseSuzy22 · Jan 3, 2017

I've used study group 101 for all my exams so far. I find them an excellen t ersource and I've passed all my exams so far. I'm paying outta pocket so keeping expenses down is important and they have been the best value don't think I woulda passed without them!!! I have most of the books but haven't really used them. Also get the practic eexams from excelsior and use those to study. I study until I have enough money savedto pay for the exam usually 2 months or so. When I started I took 2 exams at once but it was so stressful.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jan 5, 2017

I'm sorry if this is a repeat post, I just joined here. I have 10 years med/surge telemetry experience on a teaching service floor. I feel very competent in my job and what I do and I no longer feel challenged, and I have decided to move on to get my RN to open up some more opportunities.
I currently work 40 hours/week and I switch between days and evenings, being able to devote 3 hours a day to studying and more on the weekends.
I have read a couple of posts on here about time management in excelsior and the use of study guides to take the ECE for the nursing classes. Here are my questions.
1. How long did it take to finish the Excelsior nursing classes? Ten months for the program (exams, not classes). But, I was sitting in an actual local college classroom, taking prereqs while doing the nursing theory exams. Now, prereqs have to be completed prior to beginning any nursing classes or exams.
2. Approximately how much did you study? Twelve hours per day on my days off afforded me the ability to take an exam every other week, with one exam being taken after a week's study. But, I had more off-days than on-shifts because my hospital (also Med-surg LPN), were cancelling shifts left and right. Sometimes, I only worked 6 hours per week.
3. Did you study from the provided materials or use things like mystudygroup101?. I used no recommended textbooks because I couldn't afford them with working only 6 to 12 hours per week.. I found old materials on eBay, suggestions from former/current students, anything that provided loads of q&a information, googled information from the EC content guide outline, etc.
4. If you used just mystudygroup101 did you pass your tests ok? I heard about this when I had only microbiology and A&P left to take. Back then, there was no order in which to take the exams; so I saved the sciences (my weakness) for last. Using study group 101, I passed A&P with 23 days of studying (got a B); and micro © with 30 days of studying. These grades were like A's to me since I expected to fail them both royally.
5. What did you do to prepare for the CPNE? I took a workshop from an individual in my local area.
6. How well prepared were you for the NCLEX? Prepared? That's an understatement! The NCLEX-RN was so similar to the EC exams that I thought the staff at Pearson Vue had set me up with another EC exam instead of the NCLEX.
7. Did you pass the NCLEX on the first try. 75 questions, and was back in my vehicle at the one-hour mark from the time my test began. One and done!
I really appreciate any feedback you are willing to give. I am looking to try and complete this program in a year or less, if that's at all possible. Thank you all again! Have a great day!

This was almost seven years ago now. I remember it just like it was yesterday. Even so, lots of things have changed. I was using notes from the old Nursing Concepts series whenever I could; EC offered the packaged program back then, which allowed me to take as many exams as I wanted at one time for one low price of $120/month (I did them all in 2 1/2 months); algebra/math was not required; the FCCA was on paper and had to be completed within 10 days; the CPNE was half the price that it is now...or less; etc.

The main factors that would have slowed me up tremendously back then had they been in effect would have been the math requirement, and lack of the packaged program. There is no way I could have afforded to pay full price of each exam up front or even financed while only working no more than 12 hours per week...if that. One other thing that would have been a major roadblock was if I had to work full time. I was over 40 years old and had been an LPN for 24 years when I went for the ASN....study skills were very rusty and there was no way I would have retained any information with just three hours of study per day.

cpmark · Jan 10, 2017

Hi there,

I am wishing you (and me) good luck in getting this done. I live in NY and spoke to someone at Excelsior who was very helpful to me about getting started. I actually took A&P I & II just over five years ago so those A's that I got in those courses don't really count for me now. However, I did love the courses and I feel like a lot of the course work will come back to me quickly. I also have to take microbiology, Information Literacy, and the TEAS assessment before I can actually enroll and start with the nursing courses. I am in a similar situation as you as I know I am called to do more with my nursing career. I'm going to add a question in this thread if you don't mind. I am wondering if I actually need to buy the 10th edition of the Martini A&P book (at all??) or if an earlier edition would be okay? Here's hoping to get to that RN smoothly as possible.

Christine

frozenmedic · Jan 13, 2017

1. How long did it take to finish the Excelsior nursing classes?

2 years, including the CPNE. It could definitely be done faster.

2. Approximately how much did you study?

Initially, I did 1 course every 2-3 months, studying for several hours 2-3 times a week. As I progressed things got much quicker. You start to see trends in what types of questions get asked, and I got better at using my resources.

3. Did you study from the provided materials or use things like mystudygroup101?

I used the studyguides, practice tests, and eventually studygroup 101. I wish I had known about studygroup 101 earlier.

4. If you used just mystudygroup101 did you pass your tests ok?

Except for 1 class, I got straight As. The one B was not a studygroup101 course.

5. What did you do to prepare for the CPNE?

1-Understood that the CPNE is about conforming to a clearly set standard, not about your experience or abilities.

2- Read the studyguide cover to cover multiple times.

3- Practiced each area of care until each element was automatic

4- Took advantage of the faculty phone calls to ask questions and discuss careplans.

5- Used the Sherry Taylor online videos for a month.

6. How well prepared were you for the NCLEX?

I got a review book, didn't take a formal class, just did lots of practice questions.

7. Did you pass the NCLEX on the first try.

Yup. 75 questions, in and out in about an hour

cpmark · Jan 13, 2017

Frozenmedic, I know this original post is not mine, but I so appreciate your answers to all the questions asked. I'm studying for A&P now and hoping to do well, thinking that getting that first class through Excelsior done will boost my confidence. Your thoughtful answers were helpful to me. Thank you so much!

Girevoymedic · Jan 17, 2017

1. How long did it take to finish the Excelsior nursing classes?

Was done with all the exams in 10 months and now I am studying for the CPNE.

2. Approximately how much did you study?

Probably 1 hr a day, but I speed read and have a fairly photographic memory.

3. Did you study from the provided materials or use things like mystudygroup101?

Only SG101 and a few practice tests from EC.

4. If you used just mystudygroup101 did you pass your tests ok?

Did mostly A's and B's. Had one C.

5. What did you do to prepare for the CPNE?

Don't know yet. Haven't taken it. I just attended Sheri Taylor's workshop and really digging into the EC content. So far so good.

6. How well prepared were you for the NCLEX?

I don't anticipate any issues.

7. Did you pass the NCLEX on the first try.

We shall see.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Feb 2, 2017

It is all doable. I bought a packaged program before I knew better back then. I did workbooks then compared the info with the topics that EC gives for free to be sure I reviewed everything. I overstudied, but that's my personality lol. All classes were an A, I had done all the science and non nursing credits already. Basically memorized the carjack for CPNE, found mnemonics for everything, practiced practiced the skills. Passed no issue. NCLEX...I don't even remember studying for it...I must have. I didn't go to a class. Must have had a review book, from the library I think. Passed no issue. Now a CRNA. good luck

g8sushma, ASN, BSN, MSN · Feb 7, 2017

1. How long did it take to finish the Excelsior nursing classes?

about 3 and a half years finished april of 2016

2. Approximately how much did you study?

not very much at all

3. Did you study from the provided materials or use things like mystudygroup101?

I started off testing out of material but then when I failed one exam I lost my courage and started taking the online 8 week classes. I loved those.

4. If you used just mystudygroup101 did you pass your tests ok?

for health saftey and reproductive health I did and passed fine

5. What did you do to prepare for the CPNE?

I studied like I was in grade school. I read everything once. I used the scoring tool to understand the grading process. I would rewrite my mnemonics everyday until I memorized them. I had learned what nursing dx's go with which area of care and worked with what I was giving as an assignment and created my careplan to cater to what I already had to do.

6. How well prepared were you for the NCLEX?

I failed the first time. But I didnt study. The second time I was a bit more serious. Passed with flying colors.

7. Did you pass the NCLEX on the first try.

no. It takes alot of stamina to sit for 265 questions. I got up to 180 and all the letters on the screen started to blur and I gave up and failed. The second time I went in prepared to sit for all 265 and walked out after 75.