excelsior grad 2011 trying to obtain licsensure in Ga from another state

[crenshaw10960]

Does anyone know anything at all about alternatives to doing preceptor hours to obtain a Georgia RN license if you've always been doing hospice or home health?

I have been nursing for over 11 years. I was an LPN for 8 and have been an RN now for almost 4. It appears the problem is not only that I'm an Excelsior grad, but also that I have been doing Hospice for the vast majority of the career. Going to patient homes and not working within the confines of an acute care unit.

Who are these people that make these decisions? Are they even nurses? And if so, have they ever done any home health or hospice? Why are hospice and home health nurses not viewed as competent enough to hold a Georgia license? It makes not sense. There are a multitude of avenues in nursing. Hospice being one of them. Every nurse finds her own special nich am I right?

No nurse is less worthy than the other if they are working in their area of expertise, benefiting the patients, loving them and their job. Did we not ALL work our butts off in nursing school? I am here to tell you that the clinical you have to pass at the end of the Excelsior College program isn't for a novice at nursing! It is pass or fail.

Do not most nurses have a calling or a desire to nurture others. The financial part of the career is only a tiny reason. Most of us find out fast that we are underpaid and over worked. In my original state of Florida, nurses are grossly underpaid and unappreciated but we still plug onward.

I am very tired and this is getting so very old. I earned my RN and passed the same boards just like everyone else. The only difference is I did not have the benefit of a classroom and clinicals. I had to work so the virtual program was the only choice. Why is Georgia prejudice against virtual programs?

I moved to my dream location in the mountains after raising my children alone. Last one in college now. I just need to work while she is in college then I can slow down a little. I have a job with a hospice near where I live but sadly am unable to work for them due to this enormous issue.

It will cost almost $800 plus hotel etc to get the preceptor hours they want. Id rather just pay the GBON the money and let me go on with my life.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[WonderousIvy, BSN]

Pay what money?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

The only difference is I did not have the benefit of a classroom and clinicals. I had to work so the virtual program was the only choice. Why is Georgia prejudice against virtual programs?

I think this is your problem right here. You had no clinical experience in school and your job offers you no acute care experience. There is a difference in home health/hospice and working in a hospital.

Whether you like it or not, these are the rules set forth by the board of nursing. You can either abide by them, or find something else to do.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

The Georgia BON makes the rules for licensure in the state. You can follow their rules and obtain a Georgia license, or not. As an EC graduate with more than 10,000 hours of RN time in the ED/trauma setting, I had no issues endorsing my Virginia license into Georgia. I am sorry you are experiencing this, but this is the risk we take as EC grads in exchange for distance education. I wish you the best of luck.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

And on the Excelsior web page, it has requirements for grads trying to obtain a license by endorsement. It clearly states what is considered a health care facility and home health/hospice isn't on the list. I'm sorry your going through this but you are going to have to get your precepting hours.

https://my.excelsior.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=2dadefb1-2341-42d7-b969-1f8b8fda540f&groupId=12408

[elkpark]

You always have the option of working in GA with your current license in a Federal facility (VA hospital or clinic, military base, any other Federal facility). The Federal government only requires that you be licensed in A state, not necessarily the state in which the facility is physically located.

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

Wow, I just read through the GA requirements for endorsements, what a pain in the rear.

But as other have said, sadly it looks like you have no other option than to do their required preceptor-ship, or get a job in a facility that meets their requirements for the time frame stated.

I do commend you for what you do, Hospice helped my mother get through my fathers passing, and help my father be comfortable in his home. I think that job is just as hard if not harder than any ER or ICU I have done.