Warning - excelsior students

Sorry to hear bout your wife's issue with finding a job. Was she working in a healthcare facility while she was in school? I did the excelsior program and it worked out for me. I knew when I started, that because I started after their deadline, I was unable to relocate to Cali, unless I wanted to work at a VA or Corrections. Is possible for you guys to relocate? Goodluck to both of you

Strange. Never heard of anyone in Cali unable to get a job because of graduating from Excelsior. But employers never talk to me about where I went to school. They only verify that my license is unencumbered.

That really bites! Exactly why I did not go with Excelsior, way too expensive, they don't offer federal student loans. Is there any chance she can move to a state where it is accepted?

Wow, I am an excelsior grad and NEVER had a problem getting a job in California. And I always told them I was an excelsior grad. I even worked for Kaiser for the last six years and they are one of the biggest complainers. It's harder lately for new grads to get positions, so I am assuming it's the excelsior PLUS new grad status.

I've just moved to NY and didn't have a problem there either, but that's to be expected considering it's the base of the excelsior program. :P

Tell her to keep cracking, I think she can find something.

CA's BON has not accepted EC for years, except under certain circumstances. Your girlfriend should have done her homework.

OP's GF has her RN, so she must have enrolled before 2003. I am wondering why it took her six years, tho? (it took me six months, even working FT, but I was young and crazy at the time ).

OP, read some of the other excelsior threads. Assuming I read your post correctly and she's got her RN, she'll find a job somewhere. And once she's got experience under her belt, the education won't matter much anymore. I worked all over SoCal with my Excelsior degree and no one even mentioned it, but then again I have a few years experience.

Hang on...you are not telling the full story.

I have PERSONALLY called Excelsior recently when things weren't going so hot last semester and I thought I may have to drop out, but things turned out OK in the end.

The FIRST thing that they said, "What state do you live in, because our Excelsior graduates are not accepted in all states."

So, had your friend lived in Georgia at the time, they would have informed her of the change in that state. But she didn't live there, so Excelsior did nothing wrong.

I don't think your friend is telling you the full truth...are they specifically telling her that they don't accept Excelsior grads or is it more along the lines of she can't get an interview because some hospitals are laying off, not accepting new grads or want nurses with experience.

There is A HUGE difference.

Yeah and I'm always kind of weirded out when it is the husband/boyfriend rather than the nurse herself writing. My husband would never think to come here on my behalf in fact he doesn't even go with me when I buy a new car, lol.

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.