I have attended Excelsior College, and had to leave. I had the most difficult time obtaining answers to any of my questions from any department and when I did receive an answer is was a half answer. There was always a step missing and an "Oh well, I'm too busy" attitude on their part. I got so frustrated that I changed schools. I had the distinct impression that they (advisors/etc.) only tell students part of what they need to know. Then when a student is locked into something they end up getting hosed and have to stay as they cannot transfer or change anything after that without penalty. I left before my previous degree became a disaster. I should have put a substantial down payment on a nice new car. That would have been more useful.

My son who has been an LVN for the past 22 years applied to the excelsior CPNE program 2 years ago. He first tested for his CPNE clinical at the Mansfield, Ohio location in January 2011. He failed his third and last hour of the examination because his final assessment of his assigned residentwho had a diagnosis of COPD had been on O2 at 6L vis nasal cannula. During the time he was writing his final, dated and timed care plan, and was minutes from passing this gruling test of emotions and nearing the finish line, he was told by the "Masters Degreed Examiner" that he failed the clinincal portion of his test. Asking why, he was told that the respiratory therapist had returned to the room and change the patients O2 level to 5 liters. I find this process to be totally unfair to the testing students, Masters degreed does not make a clincial nurse!!! I found her response to be horriably unfair to not only my son but the other 5 students who failed that dreadful weekend. Oh yes he was handed an application to reapply for another go round with another additional fee of 2500.00 plus travel costs.
Sorry to say, he took them up on their offer, and another check was sent for $2500.00 plus expenses, but this time the "Mastered Degreed Examiner" failed him the second day with his last remaining task of the weekend, the IV flush infusion. During the task all was going well, he drew up the medication the right way, identified the resident, explained the procedure the patient, flushed the line appropriately, and started to infuse the medication. During the infusion, the "Mastered Degreed Examiner" stated to John that "the pressure he was exerting onto the plunger of the syringe was being held back by his thrumb to prevent him from infusing the medication too quickly.
I am a BSN Nurse who has worked Neuro Intensive care for many years, and even with all my experience, I am unable to calulate a student which I heve provided oversight too during their clinicals, whether they are infusing the medication at a specific pressure. Is/she clarivoient and the best thing about this is she wasn't even wearing a watch to determine the length of the infusion.
Besides the unfair failures of these young people I found Excelsior a CASH COW for those who want to better themselves and the program is set for failure and embarresment. You should be ashamed of yourselves..I just want to know when I and my colleges retire from the nursing profession, are your so called "Mastered Degreed Examiners" going to take our place cleaning bedpans and vomitus, and doing the grunt work, or are they going to continue to failure the potential nursing leaders of the upcoming generations.
After reading all of the comments on this web site I can understand all of the frustrations these people feel. Have you ever consoled a 42 year old man (my son) to say you did your best and your ot a bad nurse.
He has one more opportunity to try to pass the CPNE I have advised him not to retest. Your program is a SCAM and other persons should beware of your superficial employees who work weekends to support their income by slashing hopes and dreams of others.

CPNE is unreasonable, failure rate is high and they seem to be out to fail everybody. They are out to make money only. Please join group CPNE Unreasonable to file grievance. Or contact me at [email protected].

Have spent huge amounts of money in the associates degree nursing program. I would recommend anyone considering this to reconsider. It is not a good program. I would not recommend it to my worst enemy. No teaching. Final clinical exremely costly and only graded pass or fail. So sad to find this out the hard way. Hope to give someone else the heads up. Also DO NOT use college network or any other program. You will only throw money out the window. This program needs a major overhaul. Very unfair subjective program. They offer a scholarship and then say you do not qualify. Plan to report to NY better business bureau. Class Action Lawsuit would be justifiable. NY DEPT of Higher Education needs to investigate what is going on here. No one in their right mind would ever give praise to this program. Maybe lucky if they graduate but that would be it. The program should teach at some level and offer to because students are PAYING to learn. Excelsior should be ashamed of itself. Seriously.

Excelsior College and Discrimination and Racism Tactics
The best way to improve the college and stop discrimination and racism is to get 'rid' of Kutchner (commencement organizer) and Janice (MLS program director). These are the most 'hateful' women the devil ever invented. They are the most 'jealous' people, God allow to slip through his fingers. These so-called women are the 'biggest liars' and troublemakers which is a waste of 'life' itself.
There are so many influences these animals have poisoned the staff with concerning women of color. From their insecurities all the way to their 'rudeness' and undiscipline behavior. I'm so glad I don't live in Albany, NY so I would NOT have to ever come across these animals ever in this life time.

The President's mind has been manipulated with their fabrications and treachery that he's a victim to these animals treachery. Maybe John needs to retire himself.

I graduated with their poor excuse of a degree (meaning the uncreativity, bland degree) but was "so called" held from pursuing a Master's from Excelsior due to 'racism, discrimination and manipulation of those animals fabrications. In other words, until you 'clean-out' your college and begin with a 'fresh' newly fit, unblemished staff, the school will never go past my lips as a great school. I will let everyone know what a lousy, unprofessional, fabricating, jealous, discriminating and racist staff that is employed there.
In other words protential students are:
Not allowed to ask questions about the school, its curriculum, course etc.
Not allowed to ask questions about the 'instructors' communicating regarding courses or grades,
Not allowed to ask questions regarding any disagreements about grades, book requirements etc
Not allowed to ask questions regarding graduation commencement, requesting cap and gowns to be mailed to paying students, without retailiation from Kutchner.
Not allowed to ask questions regarding Masters program emails when there is a contradiction regarding what type of programs or choices to succeed in the Masters Program without retailiation from the Director namely Janice.

FYI: This 'Janice" has a negative reputation in Excelsior as well as Kutchner. It is all over the website in 'rip-off'.com. This Janice enjoys to spreading rumors about other human beings, but I feel sorry for her and her mother who obviously didn't 'nurture' her or taught her about loving oneself so you can love someone else.

I can go on and on but I will no longer waste my time with these idiots at the school and I do not consider myself an alumni of Excelsior.