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Online Nursing Degree

[Polly]

Hi all,
I am just in the process of enrolling ARRGH. I had NO idea that you had to get study materials from outside sources!! I figured that the College gave you the info that you neede to pass the test?? I only have to take A&p. Micro, and sociology but am now getting very nervous about the whole thing!! It sounds EXTREMELY hard. How much money are we talking here for all the books and tests etc... I am REALLY wanting my RN as I have been an LPN for 22 years and need to go on with my RN due to the terrible economy. Any insight would be great!
Thanks,
Polly

[becky214RN]

Go to e-Bay to get your study materials for MUCH less than new from the publishing companies.  I used The College Network and got As on all the concepts courses.  I also used Lisa Arends notes from e-Bay and flashcardexchange.com.  I became an RN in October.  Get the books you need from people who have already passed the course and no longer need them.  You will do GREAT!

BJ

[Polly]

Dear BJ
MANY congrats on getting your RN!! I have never used ebay and am kind of a computer idiot...ARG. Does college network make you sign a contract?? I tried this back in 2000 and signed up with Rue. Then my Mom got really sick and I had to drop out and Rue sued me for the remainder of the contract soooo...I am very ANTI contract.Is there not someplace where you can go and find out EXACTLY what books and study materials that you need to pass each course? Seems like an inordinate amount of time being spent JUST to find out what study materials you need. Time is a commodity for sure as I work full time. I really think it sucks that Excelsior does not provide you with the correct stuff! After all...they ARE the college.I heard that istudysmart is ok?? How were your clinicals? Did you work in a hospital when you took your CPNE? I work in a specialty area. I only work with Pediatric trach and vent babies.I have alot of skills in my particular area but am concerned that I have lost some of my other skills.Sorry for the lengthy post. I am nervous and have too many questions:( ANY help from anyone is greatly appreciated.
Thanks alot,
Polly

[becky214RN]

If you sign up through College Network you will pay big bucks...but if you buy used books on eBay, you get them from regular people who have used them and are done with them...so no contract.  Go to www.ebay.com and type in The College Network.  You can find books for $30-$60 insteady of $425 per book!  Have a friend or co-worker show you how to navigate the site if you are unfamiliar with eBay.

Good luck!!   

BJ

[Polly]

Thank you for your help. I can use as much as I can get. You sound like a REALLY positive person BJ. Very Cool! I am going to take Lifespan Development Psych and Sociology first and just need to know what materials(books...study guides etc.) to purchase so that I can pass the exams the FIRST TIME. I am totally not into retaking and repaying if I can avoid it:) Also...I wanted to know if I could take my 4 prerequisites prior to enrolling in EC?? It is $ 895 to enroll and if I can take my 4 prereqs before doing that it would be great. Also...I read that the Pearson Vue centers only offer certain exams at certain times so that there is a need to coordinate what classes you take at what times to avoid not being able to take an exam at a certain juncture?? True??
I am sorry for all the questions but, it is nice to contact someone that has already accomplished this major task and apparently with "A" grades...wealth of info.
Thanks again,
Polly

[becky214RN]

I will see if I still have my Life Span book...If so, you can have it.  I may have already given it away.  I didn't need sociology. 

Try this page:

 http://cgi.ebay.com/Sociology-CLEP-prep-test-study-guide-FLASHCARDS_W0QQitemZ190255459284QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Texbook_Education?hash=item190255459284&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50    

This is an eBay item...should take you right to the item.

Now.....
You have to take all of the concepts courses...1 through 8...before you can apply for the clinical exam.  That is why I took all my concepts courses first.  Then I took the A&P, Micro and Life Span while I waited for a test date. (6-8 months for the CPNE)    You can take the first course before you apply to EC...and, yes, you can take the Sociology and Life Span courses before you apply also.

I used all TCN text books and Lisa Arends notes and flashcard exchange....a good site!  When I could answer 90-95% of the questions at the end of the text, I took the real test.  DO THE EC PRACTICE TESTS!!!!!  It is $60 per class that is well spent!  (don't expect to do 90% on those!  Use them for practice with format and for explainations/rationales for answers.)

Pearson Vue pulls up what ever test you need for the date you chose.  You have to have already paid to take a particular test before you can choose a date to test.  You sign on and pick a test date and time they have open.  They are all 3 hour slots except the NCLEX...which is a 6 hour slot (but took about an hour and a half to 2 hours...as did the other tests I took)  When days and times are not available, it is because others are taking tests of varied courses.

Hope this helps....I remember how confused and fearful I was when I first stuck my toes in the water here.     So I know how you feel.  This is a very doable program....and there are LOTS of people here to guide and cheer you on.  Go for the gold...it is yours for the taking!  There will be a lot of tears and frustrations....not enough time for family sometimes...but worth it when it is done! (and the family can survive frozen dinners and days when you hang a "do not disturb" sign on the bedroom door so you can study.)

Go, Polly, GO!

[Polly]

BJ
What a sweetie you are to offer your help! I am sure that you chose Nursing as your calling for a reason:) I do not mind at all to pay you for any materials that you may have...I know that they are expensive.
Again I cannot thank you enough for all the info(INVALUABLE!!!) and most of all the encouragement. I do not know how old you are or if you have kids but I know as I have gotten older(and my daughter is grown, 23 yrs old) I have come to doubt myself sometimes ...even when I shouldn't.
I looked up all of the Nursing classes that we have to take and there are alot of "Essentials" classes IE: Essentials of Nursing care:Chronicity...Health differences...health safety...etc... I have not seen much about these courses on this site. Most of the focus is on the"Nursing Concepts".
Are the other ones easier or not as important or(if I am REALLY lucky:)
Not necessary(haha). I am pretty sure that I have to actually ENROLL with Excelsior to take the practice exams online and from what I have gathered they are a REALLY good deal. How long did this whole thing take you? Also...I was wondering if you knew anything about some "CURRICULUM CHANGE" that is to occur in October of 2009?? I have been through this type of thing before and having the rug pulled out from under you midstream is VERY deflating!
Again...thank you. I hope that you do not mind if I have further questions. I am starting to get stoked about starting and hope to be able to keep up our contact.I have been in this profession for a very long time and as I am sure you know...not everyone is so very helpful and supportive. Glad to meet nice people.
Polly

[becky214RN]

I am 58...got my LPN/LVN in 1975.  I took my first exam in July of 2007 and the CPNE in August of 2008.  There is a long wait to do the CPNE....which gives you time to take a workshop and study..study..study!!!  Graduated in September and did the NCLEX in October.  Officially became an RN OCtober 16th 2008....so, it took a year and a half. 

The Concepts courses and the Essentials courses are the same.....they used to be called Concepts courses.  Last October they split #3 into 2 separate classes and renamed them.  You will be assigned a specific curriculum based on when you enroll.  You will have a time limit (plenty long) to finish.  If not finished in the time limit, you still get credit for all you did, but may be required to take another course or two to graduate.

Hope that helps!

[Rionda17]

Hey Polly,
I too am new! I've taken 1 exam (Health and Safety) and passed with a "C". I have just finished taking Developmental Psychology and all I need to do now is schedule my exam. I'm kind of procrastinating because I only passed my last exam with a "C" so this time I want to be more prepared so I can at least get a "B". For my last exam I did find the EC practice exams to be very helpful. A few of the questions from the practice exam were on my actual exam!!
Best of luck to you!! 

BJ,
Thanks so much for your advice!! I had not been to flashcard exchange before but will use all the resources I can get a hold of. I also went to ebay to find Lisa Arends notes.
Thanks again!!

-Rionda 

[Polly]

Hey Rionda,
Wow...great to hear that someone else is just starting. Hey...a "C" is passing and sometimes(not always) that will do. I know that I always want to do my best and get the good grades but sometimes life gets in the way of perfection:)Would love to keep in contact with you throughout and hear how you are doing with all of this.I wish you all good stuff!! I am getting ready to take my 4 prereqs. Pity that one is A&P which I took already but they would not accept the credit. Not sure why. Also Micro which from what I understand is a "BUGGER".
How long have you been an LPN?? Do you work in a Hospital environment?? I am a little worried b/c I do not. I work in home care with trach and vent peds. Know what I know well but am concerned since it has been about 16 yrs since I worked hospital.
Hope to hear an update from you,
Polly


BJ,
You are a kind soul!!Thank you for helping!
Polly

[tsskittles]

Hey Polly i am not that far behind you.  i am taking chronicity this week i took health safety about 3 months ago.  you are better off waiting to take your prereqs for the time period you are waiting to take your cpne.  its a couple of months you have to wait to that date and you can finish classes like a&p during the time you are waiting cause  u can't sign up until  you finish all your nursing courses.  I am happy to hear from someone who is at the same point i am on here.  maybe we can keep in touch.  I am sure you will do fine we all do it just takes time and effort

talk to you soon
theresa

[baymacks]

Hello,

I'm in the same place as both of you as far as courses to take.  I have applied, was accepted, now I need to pay the fees for the official review of my transcripts. 

I've been reading the forums for several weeks now and have found them to be a huge help, so thanks to everyone who has posted and replied.  Let me know where you're starting at and maybe we can help each other get through.

Best of luck!

[Lisa, RN]

In addition to Lisa Arends' notes, I also used StudyGroup101: http://www.studygroup101.com -- fabulous! Do NOT sign a contract for publications ... it is totally unnecessary.

For every exam, EC publishes free exam content guides. My advice -- use the content guide as your syllabus, and it will tell you everything you need to cover in your studies. Also, the $60 EC practice exams are worth every penny -- I used them for every exam, without regrets! I did the program in one year, one month, and one day, including the CPNE wait time. It wasn't easy, but it's do-able! I took my first exam (A&P) on May 14, 2007 and completed the CPNE (my last requirement) on June 15, 2008. I took NCLEX on August 6, 2008 and passed with 75 questions. By the time you get to the NCLEX, you will not be worried about it! LOL

[baymacks]

Lisa,

Thanks for the info I'll look into both of those for study aides.  I'm also happy to hear that you were able to get through the courses quickly as I would like to similar; maybe test every 3 weeks. 

I am open to any and all advice.

Thanks again

[Polly]

HI EVERYONE,
WOW It is great to hear from everyone...what a good deal to have support and UNDERSTANDING!! THERESA,Thanks for the advice re: taking Nursing classes first!! What a GREAT idea. I think I am going to get started with Chronicity. Let me know what materials that you used. I was exempt from having to take Health Safety. Do not know why?? I have been an LPN for 22 yrs. How long have you nursed?? I am wishing you so much success! Keep in touch.
Polly
Lisa,
HOLY COW... you finished in record time! Congrats to you!! I am a little older and am not sure if I can do things so fast but, you are surely an inspiration. I am so glad that I found this site! Cannot wait to hear of everyones progress:)
I am REALLY STOKED to hear that it is not necessary to use a publishing company...sooooo expensive. I actually spoke with an EC counselor the other night and asked him...point blank...what the situation was with EC not giving its students ALL of the resources and info to pass the tests. Told him that I thought it was crazy for people to have to spend thousands of dollars on outside sources.
If ANYONE can give me the info on exactly the resources that I need to study for each class and actually pass the exam that would be wonderful!Testing every 2 weeks sounds sooo fast to me.I will check out Lisa Arends notes and the studygroup101.
Polly

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