FAQs about RN NursingPrep

What is testing out, anyway?

You can earn college-level credit in select subject areas by passing proficiency exams rather than taking on-campus classes. Testing out of college courses is one of the best-kept secrets in higher education. ECE (Excelsior* College Exams) DSST (Dantes Subject Standard Test) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) are all examinations you take to get full college credit just as if you passed a semester-long class.

Why should I use RN NursingPrep courses?

RN NursingPrep allows you to study on your own schedule with useful nursing study guides and test prep materials. People who work full-time can fit their ASN course requirements into their busy lives. Are you on a wait list for an Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) program? You can start studying when you want with RN NursingPrep.com. Credit for all of the required courses can be earned by passing examinations. RN NursingPrep courses will help you succeed. With RN NursingPrep you can study when and where you want without sacrificing your job or home life.

Can RN NursingPrep courses be used to prepare me for the RN bridge program, Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN), offered by Excelsior* College?

Yes, RN NursingPrep courses will prepare an individual to pass the ECE exams required for Excelsior* College’s competency-based RN bridge (ASN).

According to the Excelsior* College website, you may qualify for this program if you are a:

  • Paramedic
  • Licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse
  • Have served in a military medical role.

*RN NursingPrep is not affiliated with Excelsior College.

I work full time, money is tight, and college is expensive. Can I really afford to get a degree?

You’re right that college is expensive! RN NursingPrep courses provide thorough, current and complete materials for you to pass your exams and we set our prices at a price point that is fair for working people. Getting your education shouldn’t bankrupt you.

How do I know if an online class and taking exams is for me?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then RN NursingPrep could be for you.

  • Are you committed to getting your degree?
  • Is the traditional classroom not an option?
  • Are you self-motivated?
  • Can you work on your own or with support from the RN NursingPrep community or a nurse mentor?
  • Would you like credit for what you know already?
  • Would you like to prepare for the final exam without sitting through lectures in a physical classroom?
How do I know that I can learn on my own? What if I don’t understand something?

Your subscription enrolls you in the RN NursingPrep community forum. You can ask your questions and learn from others, as well as answer the questions of other students. We also offer you an option of an RN NursingPrep nurse mentor. These mentors have long-term practical experience in teaching nursing and have been nurses themselves. You don’t have to go it alone!

FAQs about RN NursingPrep's Study Materials

How do I know that RN NursingPrep will teach me what I need to know to pass my exams?

Our online program was designed and created by an MSN professor with decades of experience teaching future nursing professionals. Our courses are presented in the same order as you would study them in a typical semester-long class. The courses are always current.

All instruction, assignments, activities, quizzes, and exams in RN NursingPrep’s materials are designed to give you multiple ways to learn your material. These study methods are available to you to return to as often as you like to help you learn your subject thoroughly!

Do I need additional materials with RN NursingPrep?

There is a required textbook for each course. This will be a standard textbook used in many colleges and universities. It will be listed in the course description once you purchase a course.

Can I use RN NursingPrep on multiple devices (tablets/laptops/smartphones)?

Yes! You can study on any of your devices, anywhere you carry them and can connect to wifi.

How many subjects can I study with my subscription?

RN NursingPrep courses should be studied in sequence. You can purchase one course at a time, or a bundle of several courses. We also have a monthly subscription option for you to pay out over time. Please see our pricing page for more information.

Are RN NursingPrep courses accredited?

RN NursingPrep is not a college or university. We do not grant degrees. Your degree will be from an accredited college.

Why are RN NursingPrep’s courses set up as an online course vs. the SpeedyPrep online flashcard model?

These courses are considered ‘upper level’ courses. They are more in-depth than the general education courses for CLEP exams that SpeedyPrep prepares you for. You can think of it this way: general education courses, like history or literature, are classes that everyone has to take. RN NursingPrep courses are for your major and require more rigor and deeper knowledge to pass.

Do these courses work for the Excelsior* College RN bridge?

RN NursingPrep and SpeedyPrep courses are accepted at over 2,900 accredited colleges and universities in the United States. The RN NursingPrep course library includes all the courses required for Excelsior* College’s Associate of Science in Nursing. RN NursingPrep courses can also be used to fulfill general education requirements at many schools.

*RN NursingPrep is not a college and is not affiliated with Excelsior College, CLEP or DSST.

FAQs about Online Learning and Taking Exams for Credit

Do I have to use an online school for my degree?

No, you can go to any school that accepts ECE, CLEP or DSST exams. If you are on a waiting list for a nursing program you may be able to complete all your general education requirements with CLEP exams. www.speedyprep.com can prepare you to pass your CLEPs while RN NursingPrep prepares you for the ECEs. Contact your college advisor to make sure!

I’m thinking about taking an ECE exam, but I don’t know where to start.

The first thing to learn is whether your college accepts ECE or DSST exams. You can find out a couple of ways. You can search the school’s website, or speak to a counselor there. The policy on accepting the exams should be easily available.

Which exam should I choose?

This is a great question to ask your academic advisor. They can review your transcript and tell you where you can use a DSST or ECE exam to fulfill a requirement. If a couple of different exams fulfill the requirement, they can tell you which ones.

Your academic advisor will also tell you if there is a time frame for applying ECE credits. Some schools have rules for when they will do so.

Where do I take exams? How do I schedule them?

You register for your exams online and those websites will tell you the location of the nearest testing center to you. Here are the links to the sites for each type of exam.

CLEP: https://clep.collegeboard.org/register
DSST: https://getcollegecredit.com/institutions/search
ECE: https://www.excelsior.edu/exams/uexcel-home

What happens when I go in to take my exam?

Be sure to arrive early to the testing center! The exam is reserved for a specific window of time. If you are late, you may not be able to take your exam. When you arrive, you will need time to check in and take care of some paperwork before you start the exam. You will be telling the testing center where you want your credit to be reported.

When you complete your exam, your results will be printed out and you will have a record of your score. This will be reported to your school and the credit applied to your transcript.

If you took an exam that requires an essay, you will receive your results in about three weeks. Your testing center will give you more details.

What if I’m not enrolled in a college or university? Can I still take a CLEP, ECE or DSST exam?

Yes, you can certainly take these exams anytime. There are many people — adults, and high school students — who earn college credits through testing out in advance of enrolling in school. They look for schools that will accept the credits they have earned through exams. As more and more schools accept these credits, taking exams can be a strategy to load up a few credits before enrolling.