Warning - excelsior students

Don't be so quick to beat up on the OP.

He said that she got her degree (and license I'm guessing because she was applying for a R.N. job at several facilities). The problem he identified was that even though she is a RN, the hospitals are not wanting to hire graduates of Excelsior. She cannot go back to a more acceptable program because she has already earned her RN. Makes sense to me.

I've seen this "We're not getting the full story" line in many many posts here on allnurses. That's rather presumptuous and if you're not understanding the OP's point of view, ask directly instead of insinuating that he is holding back pertinent information purposely. People in general are pretty skeptical around here. As to why he might be the OP instead of his girlfriend? This is just a wild guess, but if I were her I'd be feeling pretty depressed and might want to distance myself from the whole situation. Significant others often take up for their loved ones and his posting (instead of her) seems like an act of love for her, anger at the situation (understandable) and just simply letting people know that there is an issue in some states with the Excelsior program.

Oh, and questioning why it took his girlfriend 6 years to get her degree....that's her business. Some people don't have the luxury to go full time (finances, hectic life, kids, whatever). Who cares how long it took her...she did it and her perseverence paid off (she got her degree) but is having a heck of a time getting a job in Cali based on where she attended school.

It might be that when she enrolled in the program (six years ago) that Cali allowed Excelsior degrees but during that time they changed it. Who knows? Not I! And it's not like a FOR PROFIT school is necessarily going to give the student a heads up about the change either.

So why am "I" taking up for the OP? I feel for him (and her). Also, back in the early 90's I attended a legal assisting program that lied about their accreditation and ended up closing their doors before I finished my program. Credits could not be transferred, had to pay back federal student loans a few years later, no job as a result. I was 19 years old (the word "accredited" wasn't in my vocabulary). I was told by the school that they were legit. As it turned out, the school re-opened a year later, pulled the same stunt (collecting a bunch of fees) and closing their doors again. This time, my home state of Oregon investigated, found out it was the same married couple who kept pulling this stunt and they were barred from ever opening a school in Oregon again. Sucks that I still had to pay back the Federal student loan but oh well.

To the OP--I feel for you and your girlfriend. I wonder if she got "Grandfathere'd" in by the state of CA and that's why she got her degree, but the hospitals she is interviewing with don't realize that she got Grandfathere'd in and they are going off of the most current info (that Cali doesn't recognize Excelsior as an accredited school of nursing). Either have her clue them in or simply don't mention where she graduated during an interview unless specifically asked. Failing all of that...explore options that other posters have suggested (VA, corrections, etc). And worst case scenario....relocate to a state that is cool with Excelsior.

Best of luck to you! And for those who gave the whole "we're not getting the whole story" line and being like "WHY did it take her SIX years get her degree"? That's just plain rude and shows an absolute lack of compassion.

Thank you for posting this. I normally won't even read something this long but you have made some excellent points and hearing more sides to each story is why I love open forums. That said I'm standing by my post. As a grown woman, Mother and nursing professional I doubt she needs boyfriend to "take up for her" here. Just my two cents though.

Warning to all Excelsior students- I want all potential and current students to know what happened to my girlfriend. Take it for what its worth. My girlfriend was a California Excelsior student for 6 long yrs (worked full time, supported and took care of her 3 kids) . She spent thousands & thousands of dollars for very expensive books, tests (about $200 per test). skills bags ($150), dvd ($130) , flashcards ($25), audio cd ($25), workshop ($700), and the OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive and outrageously easy to fail CPNE (the 3 day clinical examination that must be passed to receive your RN degree). She failed the first CPNE (as way more than half do). That meant another $1800 to retake that. Of course, there were airline tickets (about $500 per trip x 2), hotels (about $450 per CPNE) and car rentals ($250 per trip). All together she spent close to $20,000 to obtain what is essentially a worthless degree. Not one of the 14 hospitals she contacted would hire her when she told them she was an Excelsior graduate. Are you hearing me? NOT ONE. So, when they tell you they're accredited, yada,yada,yada - remember it doesn't mean you can get a job. She tried to enroll in 3 regular, legit college programs. They all refused her because she already had her degree and RN license. So now, she can't even do that. Excelsior knew years ago there was a problem. They had the opportunity to work with the Ca Board of Registered Nursing. They didn't. If you don't believe me - go to their site. Type in 'Excelsior' and see for yourself. Also, go to Georgia's nursing website. See the problems there. Nurses are being denied jobs because they're Excelsior graduates!!! Don't let this happen to you. Go to a respected and accepted college.

Why would he log into here just to make things up?...I believe him...lots of schools ares shams....my bigger worry is someone who got their RN in 6 months???????