I am not a graduate of Excelsior yet, but I am well on my way (LS3, FCCA, and CPNE), so I fabricated a little, but the rest is true... tell me what you think, and if you are an Excelsior grad or intend to be, I say we flood the governor of CA office with emails such as this... there is strength in numbers guys, and I have found firsthand that action doesn't get taken unless you take it to the politicians themselves (did it here at Fort Hood regarding my kids medical at the military hospital, and I kid you not, the next day I got a call from the congressman and you can bet I got everything I wanted)... and it doesn't hurt if you are military or military affiliated that you throw in some of that patriotic stuff too!!! Lol, anyways feedback appreciated and fellow nurses unite!!!
(Sorry it's so long...)
Dear Governor Edmund G. Brown,
I am writing in regard to the current situation with the California Board of Registered Nursing, and the school from which I graduated Excelsior College. I am a military spouse with two children who, in the last five years, has lived in four different states related to the military moves that are inevitable when the man I married decided to serve our country. Since I received my LVN in 2009, I had a baby and moved three times, which, I am sure you can understand, makes it difficult for me to attend a "brick and mortar" school to obtain my RN. My ultimate goal is to become a nurse anesthetist, which through hard work and dedication I will achieve. Here is my dilemma: I am a California native, born and raised. When my husband retires from the US Army in 10-12 years we plan to move back to my home where my family is, but the career path that I have chosen- to help people and aid in health- requires state licensure of which, as of now, will not be granted in California. I come from a military family, and would think that California would understand this issue since they are home to Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines and all the other branches as well. The issue the board of nursing has with this school if you are unaware is: the lack of clinicals. The reality is that this school doesn't admit students without experience, I was a LVN who worked for four years before applying and completing the program. Other states with the same issues have made it possible through previous working experience (a set amount of hours)/ or through an additional preceptorship program for a RN to be endorsed into their state. It is bizarre to me that the home I love and grew up in I am exempted from working in, when at the time I attempt to endorse I will be a seasoned RN. Excelsior graduates have to work harder than traditional RN students because we have to "train" ourselves, and in the end we had to pass the same National Exam (Nclex) as any other nurse. The truth in my experience has been, and I am sure others will agree, that you really don't learn how to be a nurse until you become one and are working in that role. I understand the apprehension of the BON, however I don't feel that excluding Excelsior graduates such as myself completely is appropriate. Excelsior College is designed to fit the needs of our military and their families all the while providing a well-earned education. The fact that they are accredited by both NLNAC and CCNE proves their merit. To deny endorsement into California as a nurse is ridiculous, unfounded and due to the population that attend the school, simply non-patriotic. You cannot support your troops if you do not support their families, and all in all, we are the backbone to this great nation. I politely ask that you look into the issue with the board of nursing and reconsider, thus allowing endorsement into California. Even if they required a set number of working hours or a preceptorship, something is better than nothing. Any assistance you can give in resolving this issue is greatly appreciated.