Excelsior Degrees for CRNA programs?

Law of Fives · Apr 20, 2005

I was curious about this some time back, and when I asked someone about it, this was their reply:

I know of 5 CRNAs, and 3 other SRNAs that went this route. I think that making excellent grades is more important than the school you went to. I believe the schools are searching for a trend in your scholastic history. If you've consistantly made high marks over the years, it proves you have the ability. In my opinion, online classes are more difficult because you don't have the advantage of "hearing" the lectures. You have to weed through all of the material and focus on a larger portion than you would in a class setting. If given the chance in an interview, I would have stressed this point.
my recommendations for acceptance:
Make the best grades possible
Work in a variety of ICUs
Study and read daily on the patients you take care of
Learn pharmacology inside and out
In my interview, they focused on the types of patients I took care of. Luckily, I have worked in all ICUs. They like to see that you can routinely handle the sickest patients

RN34TX · Apr 20, 2005

Good point. If they raised questions about online ADN-BSN, it's probably a good bet they'd really disapprove of an online ADN program (although EC students like to point out that it's a "distance learning" program, not online).
Whatever the case may be, it might not be worthwhile to depend on "luck of the draw," so to speak.

You know that I have to see what you're up to every now and then!

I have to comment on the "distance learning" thing. I never understood the difference either except that EC does not have any online classes for ASN that I've now been taking for my BSN. You study on your own, then go test at a sylvan center. They don't have actual "online" classes for their ASN degree, maybe their BSN but I don't know.

Yes, the old fogies are resistant to change, and thank God my local state U doesn't frown on EC degrees for the RN to BSN program, they readily welcomed me.

And incidently, for the sake of the OP, my school has the CRNA program and welcome EC degrees. They value those who can study independently and show initiative.

jenniek · Apr 21, 2005

I will receive my RN to BSN degree this coming May from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay through their BSN-LINC program. I will be starting at TWU this August.

I'm not sure what my opinion is of receiving a ADN through EC....All of my clinicals were through my ADN program.

My degree was never questioned during my interview process (I was accepted to two programs). The only issue raised was to make sure I was on track to receive my degree in May.

Good luck.

William_SRNA · May 6, 2005

I have a Parmedic License since 1995 I completed the Excelsior (Regent's College) NREMT-P to ADN route in 2001. I must admit the weekend clinical did not prepare me for direct entry into ICU but I compensated for it by being better versed in critical drips, airway management, and top notch assessment and ACLS skills. What really mattered was my outstanding preceptor. I completed my BSN through South Dakota State University in 2002. I was accepted and a current student at Saint Mary's University CRNA program in Minnesota. I have worked as a traveling nurse in California and Nevada and have not had any issues with the Excelsior Degree. I went to three CRNA interviews and no one even brought up the ADN degree. Excelsior has a motto that states

"What you know is more important than how or where you learned it.", and that is exactly what I would have told an interviewer if they had asked.

NsaneRN · May 10, 2005

I am new to the forum here and looking at the various post was wondering about a BSN from excelsior with an ADN from a traditional community college with plenty of clinical experience, my understanding of BSN programs is that mostly they are the political/academic part of Nursing, like knowing which fork to eat with. Clinical experince is the core of ADN programs. Besides ICU experience seems to be the key. Any information would helpful in quest for CRNA.

William_SRNA · May 10, 2005

I am new to the forum here and looking at the various post was wondering about a BSN from excelsior with an ADN from a traditional community college with plenty of clinical experience, my understanding of BSN programs is that mostly they are the political/academic part of Nursing, like knowing which fork to eat with. Clinical experince is the core of ADN programs. Besides ICU experience seems to be the key. Any information would helpful in quest for CRNA.

It would be easier and you would get better grades (assumption on my part) if you completed your BSN through an "on-line" BSN program like I did mine through South Dakota State University's Upward-mobility program. Just check out their website. There are other colleges that offer the same sort of setup as SDSU.