Excelsior College and CRNA

CRNA, DNSc · Jul 27, 2005

I am a paramedic/firefighter and cannot go to a traditional ADN program. Do you think that going through an online ADN program would greatly hurt my chances of eventually getting into a CRNA program? Thanks for the input.
Dean

Most programs will accept an online BSN completion program but if you are thinking about an online ADN followed by an online BSN completion you may be shooting yourself in the foot in some programs.

Sheri257 · Jul 28, 2005

While there are successful Excelsior grads and, I believe at least one has posted they were accepted into a CRNA program, it would probably reduce your prospects, IMHO. I live in California and, quite frankly, Excelsior had a lousy reputation here. There were all kinds of problems with people taking quickie MA or EMT courses then, becoming RN's with little or no training. Some people had set up MA/EC programs and were actually advertising that you could become an RN in just a few months, for a hefty fee, of course. It was pretty outrageous.

But, what really caused EC problems was when the error rates on these people were noticably higher than traditional grads, and the hospitals complained about this to the BON. The board (where the president is a CRNA, BTW) then launched their own investigation and subsequently disallowed the program. Even though California grandfathered in all previous EC grads and people who were enrolled by December 6, 2003, I seriously doubt any CRNA school would take an EC grad here, at least.

Personally, I'd do whatever it takes to get into a traditional program. It's very difficult to get into a CRNA program as it is, even when you're a traditional grad. And, even some of the staunchest EC supporters on this board have reported that they have received at least some negative feedback because they went through EC. And that's in states which still accept the program.

:coollook:

jsteine1 · Jul 28, 2005

FYI- The Illinois State board of Nursing does not recognize Excelsior College and their website specifically and only references Excelsior.

However, as of Jan 1 of this year, Excelsior only admits Those that are already Registered Nurses into their BSN program.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 28, 2005

Hi- I'm an EC grad here, and I would recommend a trad program for you. My reason for this is: you have no nursing experience, and those clinicals will help you to feel more comfortable in a critical care area, which you will need at least 2 years experience in (some CRNA programs require more, I think) to even be considered for most CRNA programs. If you go through a good trad program for your ASN, you might have a better chance of getting hired directly into critical care instead of having to pay your dues in med/surg first, thus saving you some time.

Now, if you need to work and get paid while in nursing school, apply for a nurse externship at your local hospital (preferably on a critical care unit or stepdown floor if available), and get nursing experience, a paycheck, and a flexible schedule to help you through.

nursemomruns · Jul 28, 2005

I am a paramedic/firefighter and cannot go to a traditional ADN program. Do you think that going through an online RN program would greatly hurt my chances of eventually getting into a CRNA program? Thanks for the input.
Dean

Dean, you don't say where you intend to practice after you graduate from nursing school. My advice is to check your state's requirements to sit for the NCLEX. Some states will not accept EC, some states will only accept them as LPN. I would also check into EC's (or any other school's) passing rates for the NCLEX before I signed up. Just my input.

Jo Dirt · Jul 28, 2005

FYI- The Illinois State board of Nursing does not recognize Excelsior College and their website specifically and only references Excelsior.
However, as of Jan 1 of this year, Excelsior only admits Those that are already Registered Nurses into their BSN program.

Illinois accepts Excelsior graduates but they have to meet certain requirements before they can apply for licensure (basically, they must have practiced in another state for at least two years).

Georgia will only accept an Excelsior grad who is licensed out of state first. Washington state requires a clinical internship (I think it's only a few weeks long) before an EC graduate can practice.

California is the only state not accepting Excelsior graduates at all.

There has been talk of some kind of a clinical internship like Washington has but as of now this has not taken place. Likely, the ban on EC students in California won't be indefinite but apparently California is trying to decide what kind of stipulations to place on EC grads and until they do if you want to work in California you would be better off going through a school CA will recognize now.

In an effort to raise their standards, Excelsior no longer accepts MA or surgical techs into their program (basically only LPN's and paramedics can get into the program now). Though apparently as far as California is concerned EC is a day late and a dollar short.

I graduate from Excelsior College November 18, 2005. I have been a practicing LPN for 5 yrs, and I was going to go with a traditional ADN program but due to the large amount of family responsibility I have a brick and mortar school would have been impossible. So I have to be extremely grateful to EC. On the other hand, I won't argue that a person is always at a benefit if they can go to a traditional school. Certainly, Excelsior's program is NOT for people inexperienced in the medical field, and I think Excelsior is doing a disservice to LPN's and paramedics by allowing them to go straight from LPN or paramedic school into their program.

In your case, I would definitely look into a traditional program.

Sheri257 · Jul 28, 2005

Likely, the ban on EC students in California won't be indefinite but apparently California is trying to decide what kind of stipulations to place on EC grads and until they do if you want to work in California you would be better off going through a school CA will recognize now.

Funny, I've heard the exact opposite. EC did a lot of things that alienated the board, not the least of which was suing them. I wouldn't count on California accepting EC at all.

Besides, even if EC was willing to spend a ton of money meeting the clinical requirements (which they weren't inclined to do when the whole controvesy started) .... there is a shortage of clinical sites in California as it stands now. Even traditional schools are having to fight for clinical sites because the hospitals can't accomodate all of the students.

:coollook:

Jo Dirt · Jul 28, 2005

Funny, I've heard the exact opposite. EC did a lot of things that alienated the board, not the least of which was suing them. I wouldn't count on California accepting EC at all.
Besides, even if EC was willing to spend a ton of money meeting the clinical requirements (which they weren't inclined to do when the whole controvesy started) .... there is a shortage of clinical sites in California as it stands now. Even traditional schools are having to fight for clinical sites because the hospitals can't accomodate all of the students.

I know there is a lawsuit but I was told California was attempting to work with Excelsior. I think it's odd, also, because an LPN came to Tennessee from California and was told he needed to go back through an LPN program here because the school he went to wasn't up to par by Tennessee standards.

There seems to be a lot of issues between California and other states/schools in regards to nursing.

Sheri257 · Jul 28, 2005

I know there is a lawsuit but I was told California was attempting to work with Excelsior. I think it's odd, also, because an LPN came to Tennessee from California and was told he needed to go back through an LPN program here because the school he went to wasn't up to par by Tennessee standards.
There seems to be a lot of issues between California and other states/schools in regards to nursing.

Just FYI: The Board of Registered Nursing, which disallowed EC, doesn't regulate LVN schools in California. A separate state board does it and, I know there have been some issues with LVN schools because of that.

:coollook:

Hodge · Jul 28, 2005

The fact the Excelsior has these problems and that it is not limited to one state should raise a red flag. Private online college degrees (and this does not apply just to nursing) are often looked at with caution. If you are looking for an online option, check into your local community college and see which courses you can take.

jenniek · Jul 29, 2005

The fact the Excelsior has these problems and that it is not limited to one state should raise a red flag. Private online college degrees (and this does not apply just to nursing) are often looked at with caution. If you are looking for an online option, check into your local community college and see which courses you can take.

good advice, though if the program is NLN certified, then there should be no problem. I received my BSN from UW-Green Bay this past May. It was entirely online, except for a few classes which I worked with local advanced practice nurses and the public health department. I did receive my ADN from a traditional school. There were no questions when I interviewed for CRNA school, and was accepted at the two I applied and interviewed with.

Personally, I would prefer my first nursing education to be at a traditional school. That is where you will learn the basics of your nursing practice and I'd rather have someone live to help me if needed, rather than distance contacts.