Excelsior College : nursing Reviews

Anonymous (In Progress) on April 19, 2012

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Please, please, please, don't go there. Studying on your own and passing the written exams @ a testing center is OK. But the staff of Excelsior College knows they will get you @ the CPNE, their so-called "Clinical" testing. It's a RIDICULOUS SCAM. It is not an objective exam but completely subjective. If the CE said you did something wrong, there is no way to prove her wrong. Why? Because she has a master degree and you are only a "student nurse". If you don't believe me, do what we all do. Exchange e-mail with the other students you will meet in the lobby and after the exam, see how many pass. In my two former attempts, it was 0. If they would take only your $2000.00, that would be OK but they are also trying to take your pride. How can an exam be based on the slightest thing you do wrong when you are a nervous wreck "student nurse"? As a student, I can fail any CE with master or not because a human being is always going to do something wrong.

Anonymous (Graduate) on March 21, 2012

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Couldn't have done it any other way This program isn't for everyone, but it was the perfect program for me. Given my transient military lifestyle, I required the flexibility and portability that this program offered. The exam format prepared me well for the NCLEX-RN. I passed the state board on my first attempt. The CPNE is no joke. It is rigorous, as well it should be! I passed on my first attempt, with no repeats on any of the lab sims or PCSs, so it can be done, contrary to what some have alleged.

Bonniensaleena (Graduate) on February 1, 2012 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
RN I could not have done it any other way. Excelsior was an adult learner's dream school. Just do the learning, and then prove it through testing. I was well prepared for the NCLEX. Passed the first time. Did not buy any books, just borrowed them from libraries. Think I might go on with them for the BSN. Have heard good reviews, and they give a discount to former students! I do not think a motivated adult can go wrong with choosing Excelsior College.

Lynda300 (Graduate) on December 12, 2011 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Excelsior College: An Unforgettable Experience I enrolled with Excelsior College with the hopes of being near graduation by the end of a year. Imagine my surprise when I was holding my RN license in my hand exactly 10 months from the date of my first exam!! The mound of support from people that you may never meet is overwhelming. Going through each exam with others with identical goals, triumphs, and tribulations made this experience one-of-a-kind. Being disciplined is a must, as there is no one to force you to study in distance learning. And there is a lot of reading and studying. No college is 'giving' away degrees. It has to be and it will be earned. As far as the CPNE at the end, Excelsior provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to pass the exam, including information on available workshops and materials needed for success. I, along with many others, passed on the first attempt. So do NOT be discouraged by the negativity about this exam. It can be done if you pay attention. I gave a score of 1 on the teachers because, in distance education, there are no teachers or classrooms...only online friends for support and yourself. So,if you need a fast track to your degree or if you need to slow it down a bit, Excelsior College is the one for you!

Marijanejenkins (Graduate) on November 2, 2011 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Not a scam I had been an LPN for many years and could not work full time and go to a traditional school. I went to this program and graduated with an AAS in Nursing. I passed my clinicals the 1st time! if you prepare for the clinicals, study exactly what they tell you to study, you can pass the first time! I hate reading some of the reviews that say this is a scam...IT IS NOT A SCAM AND CAN BE DONE! The ones that don't pass weren't prepared and now they want to blame the college! I took my NCLEX AND PASSED THE 1st time too! I have been an R.N. for 6 years, and could not have done it without Excelsior College!

Anonymous (In Progress) on November 1, 2011

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
CPNE-Excelsior college The CPNE was unrealistically ridiculous!! Four of the six students testing over the weekend were there for the second try, and I am not sure those four passed this time. Just an example of how ridiculous it was, at the simulation lab of the IV pust station I made sure there were no bubbles in the syringe, tipped it upside down (like I had seen others testing do) The CE took it over to the CA and asked if she could see a bubble. The CA started beating on the syringe with a pen to see if she could make a bubble pop up. Fluid from the syringe was splattering everywhere, then she states, no don't see a bubble. I passed that station the first time, but, by then I was a nervous wreck. The clinicals are not an indication of if you practice safe nursing, but, how much criticizem can you take and still perform to their 100% accuracy expectation. I am looking into transfering my credits to a local college and going that route. The college already told me though they didn't think the A & P will be accepted, that is another $350.00 wasted. (just for the exam not including the books) I DO NOT RECOMMEND EXCELSIOR COLLEGE.

Anonymous (Graduate) on October 1, 2011 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Excelsior is GREATfor the right individual! I was a very experienced paramedic when I completed my ASN at Excelsior. I had been enrolled for several years and had completed only one exam when I got serious about completing the program and followed this method: Schedule an exam on a Friday, follow the suggested reading list exactly with great diligence, take the exam and if you pass schedule the next exam for the very next Friday, repeat. This will require 8-12 hours per day Monday thru Thursday, a high level of self motivation, great reading retention / test taking ability, and a lifetime of previous medical experience. The exam that focuses on administrative processes should be simple to pass without study, I doubled it up with another exam on the same day and made an A on it without studying, while getting a B on the other. What you have to realize is that when they say "show what you know" they mean it, and the CPNE is the most difficult testing experience I have ever dealt with. Imagine a 1980s style ACLS mega code experience for two and a half days! But it can be done! You need to actually read the CPNE preparation manual, fully understand it, and be able to perform under pressure. I attended Excelsior's CPNE workshop about three months before taking the CPNE, prepared diligently, and passed the first time; as did five out of seven on my weekend. Really only for the experienced, able, and brave!

Anonymous (Graduate) on August 29, 2011 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Difficult.....but Achievable I thought the Excelsior experience was overall positive. I had been an LPN for 32 years, but had practiced a different discipline until I returned to Nursing 10 years ago. What was great is that it did not impact my life negatively. I enjoyed my day to day life, and took a test when I felt like it. This school was great until the time for the clinical portion. I was fortunate that I passed first time around, however that is not the case for many, many students. So much time and money already invested, and then this incredible hurdle to has to be cleared. I truly believe some changes need to be made. That could make this school and this degree a much more pleasant and positive experience. It is the subjective nature of the test, and how it is graded that is the problem. It can and should be changed...for the betterment of the student and school. I would say attend this school, with the provision knowing what is up ahead. All could be for not, if unable to pass one weekend in a hospital...I had to be the most stressful weekend I have ever experienced. I cannot imagine ever having to repeat that test!

Anonymous (In Progress) on July 18, 2011

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Excelsior College Needs to Change their CPNE Eval Excelsior College is capable of graduating top notch nurses IF you can pass the CPNE. It's very hard not to think that the pass/fail criteria is not a "set up" to make money off of people. Please beware when taking their Clinical Competency exam as there is NO margin for mistake or failure which is very unlike traditional nursing schools. You pay $2000.00 to travel to one of their hospital sites for 2 1/2 days and most likely you will have to repeat it. They classify you as a "graduate nurse" which is suspect considering that you can't graduate before you pass the clinical exam. I just think they REALLY need to change the pass/fail criteria and include some teaching during clinicals since you ARE still really a student during this phase. I would not be surprised when they end up in court over this.

Mhamilton80 (Graduate) on June 10, 2011

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
LPN to ASN alumni from Missouri Using the online materials truly enhanced this learning experience for me, and I believe they can help anyone with reasonable tech/online skills. The school itself holds an immense reputation of manufacturing top notch nurses, and for that reason the program can be challenging. Trust me I remember my CPNE (clinical) very well. Of the six people that started two of us passed. So, don't be fooled, this program will metamorphosize you into a well prepared and well respected nurse. If that appeals to you, this may be your school. If you can't handle high pressure situations, or you think its too much, this may not be your school. Also if you aren't self-confident and self-motivated, or you can't learn their strict system of rigorous assessment, it may not be for you.

Mariewrinn (Graduate) on April 4, 2011

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Bachelor Science in Nursing I looked at many options to complete my bachelor's degree. I was working as a nurse and traveled a lot when I started a new non-profit. On-line was the best way to go, plus the credits earned through examinations. For the level of practice I needed, Excelsior College provided a great experience. To address some of the negative reviews, not all colleges are accredited in each state. You must give it due diligence to chose a program that will meet the clinical hours for the state you plan on practicing in. To complete any on-line program, you will need to be a self-starter. You do not have face to face encounters with your co-students and instructors. I have classmates from around the world in my classes. I found their experiences added more depth to the program.

Jengle (In Progress) on January 22, 2011 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Madison CPNE Nursing Don't spend your time or money unless you plan to finish your ADN by paying for the final Exam at one of their "teaching" hospitals at least twice. The exam process - Labs are not difficult but are EXTRAORDINARILY SUBJECTIVE and set for failure if you are taking the test for the first time. The PCS(s) are also not difficult but again if you are only paying for the first time - plan on paying a second time before you pass - Very unlikely you will pass on the first time. Interruptions were continuous from the "lead" instructor throughout my process. He was a very high strung and arrogant CA, the regular instructors were continuously second guessed and interrupted as well. My Fail of the first PCS was on a misspelled word which the CE stated was not an issue and the CA stated failure for that reason anyway. He thought Asthma was spelled asthna....so that gives you an idea of just how subjectively knit picky they can be. All other aspects of the entire care plan and critical elements were more than satisfactory as stated by my CE. 6 Students were going to one facility and all were on their second time - they all passed the first night without repeat. The 6 students I was with had no successes and of course we had not yet paid FOR THE SECOND TIME YET - I am certain some of them will - I will not and am now discontinuing any further education through excelsior for this reason. This is very doable if you have the time and CASH$$$$$$ to repeat the program. Even when taking into account the second and third time taking it, there is only a 60% pass rate. I don't know the pass rate for first timers but I am betting it is around 10%. I have two other degrees from excelsior and two from othe institutions that are not extension or online programs and it pains me to say - DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE ALOT OF IT TO WASTE!!!! And.... Mr Gump with two "R"'s you and excelsior know who I am talking about... Get Real...You are the most high strung, rude, ego centric "instructor" I have ever met. Sorry your life has not been going well but we are people too. Personally you treated me like less than a pre-schooler; although I wouldn't have expected the rudeness and anger and obvious dissatisfaction in your own life to have shown so extensively toward a 3-5 year old child the way it did when you spoke AT me in such a disrespectful and disregarding manner. i truly hope Excelsior faculty will read this as well as anyone planning to waste their valuable time and resources in pursuit of this program. I was very well prepared and am no stranger to study. I am 50 years old and planned to excel in this new career path as I have done in my previous endeavors but not at the loss of my integrity. I am more upset about the treatment by this "Instructor" than the loss of the money and time. All any of us were looking for was a fair shake and it was OVERTLY obvious that all this instructor was looking for was JOB SECURITY by way of continued attrition and repeated PAYMENT!! Shame on you and Shame on Excelsior!!!

Anonymous (Graduate) on December 1, 2010

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
I was very pleased I have just recently completed my ADN through Excelsior College and I was very pleased with the College. I went through The College Network for all of my courses who were amazing. Their courses were designed for working adults and loved the format of the courses. After completion of the courses I enrolled into excelsior college and did not think that the clinicals were very difficult at all. If you prepare with what they tell you you will do fine. I hear these storis that Excelsior College wont pss you at the weekend clinical but when I hear stories like that then the student must not have been prepared as they should have. Best advice I can give for the clinical is to act like states is in the buliding and you will do just fine. I would reccomend the program to anyone because it helped me get my degree without making any classroom attendance and it was once of the best decisions of my life.

Simoneaux_k (In Progress) on November 22, 2010

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Swindled I'm an LPN and took the online program. I took 14 subjects and a clinical. As a single parent, I worked two jobs to pay Excelsior. After paying them $12,000 cash, no loans, no government assitance. They gave me the materials, told me what to study and learn. Then failed me for petty things at the clinical. I did the whole program, jumped through hoops, paid and took new programs as they kept adding to wait i needed to do to graduate, but they failed me anyway. They were unfair, unreasonable, and greedy. As they failed me, they gave me an application to pay another $2,000 to apply to do another clinical in 6 months. I believe I gave them the money they wanted for a nursing education, but no degree because i didn't wash my hands before entering a closet the hallway outside a patient room. I didn't harm a patient. In fact, i didn't even get to meet the patient. There wer 8 of us testing that weekend. 1 student passed. This school needs to be investigated for their unfair practices. For selling products that the consumer cannot use. 12K invested, and I'm still an LPN. I'm exactly where I started 2 years ago. and I'm not the only one.

Anonymous (In Progress) on July 16, 2010 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Very positive experience I am 2 classes away from finishing my ADN. I purchased my books on amazon and made payments on my enrollment fee while doing the program. I opted to go straight through excelsior without college network or any of the other publishing companies which charged up to 5000 more. You don;t need it. I'm glad I bought the 8 books and had all of that knowledge at my finger tips. Each class comes with an outline that tells you what you need to know. I saw a negative review that stated the material provided was not enough. Well as a nurse you need to be able to think for your self. If you can you'll love this program. P.S. Do it with a few friends to keep you motivated. We should be done in less than 9 months.

Anonymous (In Progress) on July 10, 2010 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Pretty decent Had an issue at the beginning with them not updating my required courses. I had to contact them to find out what classes I still needed. It is expensive, but equaled out since I did not need to miss work to attend class. I am currently an LPN, and am finishing up my new state required preceptor. Passed the clinical weekend the first time, but man was it hard. Only problem now is that the hospitals in my area did not renew the preceptor contracts, so I had to wait for new ones to be signed. Now I have to travel 2 hours to a hospital to complete my degree so I can take my RN boards. I did not use their materials, I spent extra money on The College Network for their books. It was $5000 extra, but all the information was put into 1 book for each nursing component (I transferred all prerequisites at a community college, so only needed to do the nursing tests, CPNE, and state required preceptor). They did add additional requirements towards the end, but gave students lots of time to prepare, and gave us a date-ie: if you have all nursing tests done by certan date, then you don't need to take extra classes. They gave us so much time, I was able to complete 3 tests before the changes took place. I would recommend this school.

Hdeand (Graduate) on March 21, 2010 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
Positive reviiew I'm writing this review for my wife, who finished her Associate's Degree in Nursing in 2002. She had been an LPN and working in a small ER for about 10 years when she decided to pursue her RN. I must admit that I was very skeptical about her choice, but I had to be supportive. I have a BS in EMS and Masters degree in Health Admin and had some reservations about the whole "on-line" or "mail-order" degree programs. I ended up eating my words and will have to say that I was quite impressed with the program. She had more one-on-one communication with her counselor during her year or so of studies than I had in the six years or so it took me to complete my graduate degree (from a traditional, and very well respected, program). She had a vast amount of experience in nursing and I would not recommend someone without experience to choose this program. It does require self-motivation, as well as work on the student's part to locate appropriate study materials. The clinical weekend is intimidating. I cannot say with certianty or with personal knowledge, but there seems to be a very high performance expectation, but, then again, the student has two days to show clinical proficiency so expectations should be high. My wife passed without difficulty (she had a lot of experience going into it). As I approach retirement with nearly thirty in EMS as a Paramedic, I am enrolling in the same program. I have only just begun the application process so I cannot speak to my own experience. I only hope my experience mimics my wife's. With luck, I'll write another positive review in another year or two.

Handyone2 (In Progress) on September 8, 2009 (email verified)

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
There is a reason they want all you money upfront I would question the source of any review that gives this college a 5 or above rating. They want the money for all courses upfront and then the materials don't cover the test. To be clear, insuficient materials are provided to properly prepare for the tests. And there is insufficient support when trying to get the proper information. The program does have some guarantees, however they are useless and it is not at all practical to meet the stipulations of the guarantee. Even the testing college said we needed additional materials. I have been around the block a time or two and would discourage anyone from using this program. In fact I would say that we were definitly taken advatage of. It would be interesting to see the programs overall results.

Anonymous (In Progress) on May 10, 2009

Materials: Teachers:
Institution: Support:
Value: Technology:
BEST COLLEGE EVER AWESOME COLLEGE. AFFORDABLE. PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE. IS THERE ANY OTHER COLLEGE IN THE US WITH AP PAYMENT PLAN? I GRADUATED WITH AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND NO LOAN TO PAY BACK WORKING 2 JOBS AT THE SAME TIME. NEVER MISSED A BEAT. NEVER COMPROMISED MY YEARLY EARNINGS!! GREAT COLLEGE. NOW I AM WORKING ON MY MASTERS IN NURSING AND ALL TO WHOM I APPLIED ACCEPTED MY DEGREE FROM EXCELSIOR. FOR MY MASTERS I TRIED UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX AND BOY DID I QUICKLY LEARN WHERE MY LOYALTIES LIE. EXCELSIOR IS THE BEST COLLEGE EVER.

You can help by Writing a review

Learn More about Excelsior College