Erin Parent
Gonzales, LA
Excelsior College®, Associate of Science in Nursing

Erin Parent originally became a nurse for the financial security and because it was a familiar career. “I did it for the money. I needed something to fall back on, more education. From what I understand, the place I work now, I can make significantly more money as an RN. And, just more opportunities in general because I’m not sure I’m going to stay where I am. Having an RN, it just opens up the door to more opportunities. Travel nursing – I’m thinking about that. With being an LPN, there are not a lot of opportunities for travel nursing,” she said.

She chose The College Network® so she could keep her job. “Because of the job and the money I make as an LPN, I chose to do The College Network so I wouldn’t have to give up my job. I would have money, of course, to pay for school while I’m still working,” Erin said.

Erin felt comfortable with this way of studying and was able to pass almost all of her tests with no problem. “With the general education exams, as long as I studied and knew the material, I was fine. I was able to pass all of those tests with no problem, and I passed most of my nursing exams with the exception of the last one with no problem, taking them about a month apart,” she said.

Taking a test every month to six weeks, Erin flew through the program after getting going. “It took me a while to get started. The first test, it took me about four months to build up my confidence to take it but after I passed that one, I was going every month for a while. Now I’m down to my last one,” she said.

Erin appreciates that she didn’t have to spend any time in the classroom with this program. “I didn’t have to do any of that. I mean, I can choose to work with my fellow coworkers and they’ve offered to help me with my studies but other than that, I don’t have to do anything extra besides read the book and take the test,” she said.

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