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I just finished all required exams at Excelsior in the Paramedic to RN bridge program. And, I did it all without a teacher, and while working full time.

Sounds great, right? But, guess what? Once you are ready to take the Focused Clinical Assesssment courses (2 extra required courses, not part of the original plan I had received), you find out you have to wait 8 WEEKS to take the final exams. I finished the work of BOTH classes within the first 10 days, but had to wait 2 long months to be done.

I picked this school because I was told I could move at my own pace. I had a timeline and a plan to be done in 2 years. My academic advisor thought my plan was "ambitious" but never stated it would be impossible. So, I lose 8 weeks waiting to take these exams, but finally take, and pass both Focused Clinical Assessment courses.

So, now all I need to graduate is to take the CPNE (Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam). But, guess what?? IT"S A YEAR LONG WAIT!!!!! They don't tell you that up front.

They wait until it's too late to transferto another nursing program. They get you by the balls and now you're screwed. By the time a year goes by, passing the NCLEX will be a miracle. They never once share ANY info about the year long delay.

I feel totally screwed and I'm not sure how to proceed. I had a nursing job already lined up based on my timeline. My current job already has plans to replace me in May, as I've been telling them for 2 years, not knowing at the end, I'll be done with school but will have to wait a year or more to graduate and take the NCLEX. It's all just so wrong.

I'm thinking of suing them. Maybe even a class action law suit.

Have others been screwed this way? Want to join me in my efforts to stop them from harming and screwing others?

Location: Saint Petersburg, Florida

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Guest

I'm in the same boat....year long wait to sit on my thumb.

Guest

I am overwhelmed at the number of public forums and people sharing their experiences with Excelsior College (EC). In 2014 there was a Class Action against this University and I'm afraid to admit, there is going to be another one.

I am disappointed in the method of testing and how the testing material is not in-line with the resources provided. It is time my State Representative get involved and this college be held accountable.

Similar to others, I too was not informed of the prolonged waiting period for CPNE testing. I also just took and FAILED my first FCCA exam.

I found the exam to be "theory" based rather than "clinical" based. Ask 20 different people a theory based question and you get 20 different responses. This is an unorthodox testing method.

EC ADN program was suppose to recognize the accomplishments of those Paramedics and LPN/LVN's seeking to expand their knowledge but without all the drama!

EC is doing nothing to recognize this experience and in fact, have designed a testing method to continuously fail students who have years of clinical experience. This is not only an embarrassment to the student but also to the college. Shame on you Excelsior, SHAME ON YOU!

If the person who truly wrote this or the other "anonymous" people who claim they are interested in a Class Action legal suit that will be taken serious and not just settled for $200 dollars because of lengthy litigation or intimidation, please contact me personally at lieutdoc@***.com and use "CLASS ACTION" in the subject line to identify your intent.

Nurses and nursing students are constantly reminded to be advocates, guess what...I'm going to SUE THE *** out of Excelsior if they don't change their academic standards to prove just how much I am going to advocate for others and for change!

Ammon Ury
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1296285

Emailing you tonight!

mickidickerson@***.com

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1296285

Count me in!

Wagnerjoey56@***.com

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1296285

I am in the same situation. Been CPNE eligible to since 3/2017 and still no test date.

My enrollment is scheduled to end 01/31/2018 and not approved for extension.

I will join lawsuit. spscott2616@***.com

Guest

Count me in on any class action being started. These people dehumanize and humiliate us.

Ammon Ury
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1281597

Sure as *** do!! Email to discuss : mickidickerson@***.com

Pace Oxd

I would very much be interested in participating in a class action suit. I waited over a year and they failed me quickly and I am over 50 which seems to be the protocol.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Pace Oxd

I'm in also if any class action is started.

Guest

Where are you planning to take the CPNE?

Guest

I would most definitelynp be interested in a class action suit. I was also hired thinking I would have my RN within months however failed the first CPNE.

Upon paying another annual fee then te full amount of the CPNE, I had hopes of testing soon afterwards. After several emails and being informed some test centers had been abruptly closed, I ended up waiting a full 9 months. I was able to schedule after sending a complaining email to the CPNE office on 7/22/16, which I accepted the date of 8/26 (coming up in 2 weeks) to take the test. On 7/30, Excelsior withdrew me from the school for not paying the annual fee again (for the same test which the annual fee had already been paid), and I was also locked out of any CONE resources like the practice

Care plans to submit to instructors for review.

An email had been sent stating for wait periods over 5 months, the annual fee would be waived and we would receive instructions as to how to do so if it was deemed necessary. Nothing was ever received so I thought the CPNE office had taken care of the ppl with long wait periods. I had to request a waiver of the fee (which could take up to 10 days for a response), which I found out was denied only by calling the CPNE office to try and get access to study resources. After spending 2 more days and several hours involved with arguing and being sent back and forth between 3 offices of which no one could do anything, I FINALLY was able to get the Dean of Nursing office, which finally was able to extend the fee until October 28.

Now, let than 2 weeks in which I have to leave, I have access to information, but no time to do the practice pcs for review. If I were to withdraw as of the date Excelsior withdrew me, I would be out $540 from my original fees paid. I am trying to get a later test date without penalty as I was locked out of everything due to their issues.....still waiting to hear from them. In the meantime, though, I could've already completed a traditional 3 semester LPN to RN program for much less time and money.

I had applied for the CPNE last October and if I would've just enrolled traditionally in January, I would have this 1 semester to complete. It is pretty well guaranteed to complete a traditional program whereas the CPNE is totally subjective. My first experience with the lab portion of the CPNE was passed, however I was confident in my skills. I wanted to still file complaints regarding the lab aspect though, as at 2 stations, had I been insecure or nervous at all, the tactics used by 2 separate instructors could've caused me failure.

I feel that what they did could've been extremely intimidating to some and have caused failure to others, which I'm sure they intentionally do. During the patient care aspect, I failed the initial 2 patients, one from just stupidity on my part, the other I still do not feel was justified. I appealed the CPNE based on the sole fact that we had NO PEDIATRIC patients and all PCS's were of adults. My first 2 were classified as an adult and then a pediatric.

Technically, I should've been considered failing 1 adult and 1 ped PCS...also, with it being all adults, I should've really failed 2/5 adults, so why was my appeal denied when all I had a chance to do was 2 patients?

Shouldn't I at least had a chance for the 3rd try? Nope......instead I go to pay another annual fee and an increased CPNE fee of $2200

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1198154

I'm very interested in joining Class action. Please email me: mdickerson@***.Org

Thank you!!

Guest

I am in. I went in thinking that this was on "my" timeline. Well you know life happens and then you have that long CPNE wait and due to this boom out!!!!

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