Excelsior College Scamming Online College Albany New York

 This is a scam. A very expensive one. The CPNE has a 68% pass rate on the first try, but they still collect the $2,300 (rounded) with each attempt, travel and other accommodations not included. They give you a CD-ROM Study Guide to study from. They expect you to attend the several conferences and workshops, each about $300, and in faraway cities that require flying. In addition to this, it is $400 a year to even be enrolled with the college. The exams are $390, but go up every year. You study to pass the exams, but you get less than half of the education you would get out of a standard, preferred nursing school, and you pay 80% more money. Most standard nursing schools have a transitional LPN-ADN program that is only 2-3 semesters long and costs a lot less than Excelsior College. Plus, you also get to attend graduation. You have to fly to Albany, NY to attend graduation with Excelsior, as well as pay an additional fee, around $450, to even receive your degree. As hard as you work and as much as you sacrafice in nursing school, you deserve a proper graduation. You've earned it. If you are serious about getting your degree, consider how much money you are willing to spend. If you fail the CPNE and cannot afford to retake it, you will be without a degree and stuck with their loans for years. It's not worth it. You will learn so much more and get so much more clinical experience at a traditional nursing school.

One more thing to think about: A lot of state boards and hospitals are not accepting Excelsior graduates. They require additional clinical time or more work experience than with traditional school graduates. Look it up. Try Maryland, Georgia, North Dakota, California, Virginia, Kentucky, Washington, Colorado, and Vermont state board websites. They all have additional requirements in order to receive a license in these states, and I'll bet they cost money.