Crystal Echols
Baltimore, OH
Excelsior College®, Associate of Science in Nursing

“It has changed my life tremendously,” says Crystal Echols of her experience pursuing her RN with The College Network®.

A single working mother of three, Crystal is busy. “I work full-time as an LPN in a nursing home and just don’t have any free time,” says Crystal. “I really wanted to further my education and earn more money, but don’t have time for a traditional classroom setting.”

“I like being able to study when I feel like it and I enjoy learning. The Comprehensive Learning Modules are great,” says Crystal. “I really like doing this at my own pace.”

Crystal joined the Navy when she was 18 and worked as a hospital corpsman, often delivering babies, which sparked her interest in nursing. Following the Navy, she worked as a nurse’s aide for years before earning her LPN in 2004.

“I plan to use my ASN degree as a stepping stone to getting my bachelor’s degree. And my long-term goal is to get my MSN and teach.”

Studying happens in the evenings and weekends and Crystal has found that making a plan has helped. “I have to write down a schedule and follow it. I really haven’t used the discussion boards, but I have talked to a lot of different academic advisors and they’ve all been great,” says Crystal.

Crystal describes the course tests as “nerve wracking,” but good experience for taking the nursing board exams. “When I took my boards for my LPN, I thought I didn’t pass. Most tests, when I finish, I think I didn’t pass, but I always do,” says Crystal. “I think when I take my RN boards, I’ll be better prepared after all of my course testing.”

Financing the testing also was crucial for Crystal. “I didn’t take my first test for eight months because I didn’t have the money for the test. When The College Network started financing the testing fees, it helped tremendously.”

While Crystal has had heard of other distance-learning programs, she liked The College Network’s personal approach. “I had heard about The College Network, but it really helped when the program advisor came to my house and explained everything,” says Crystal.

“It was the best choice I’ve ever made!”
 

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