Governor of CA

Nursing Students Excelsior

Published

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.

Not sure how allowing a CNA to challenge the nclex is consistently enforcing the rules, but to each his own. I know as a former CNA that in no way was I prepared for being a nurse, nor would I have been without school. What you forget is Excelsior grads come to the school with a clinical background and experience, and some of which is often more extensive than what a school can offer (a medic does so much more than any nursing student).

Because, for whatever reason, the CA BRN rules allow CNAs who meet specific criteria to sit the NCLEX-PN. My point is that every state BON in the US has rules that say students have to graduate from a program that includes X amount of supervised clinical experience in order to be eligible for licensure, but, for some reason, that requirement somehow doesn't apply to EC grads. No one else, just EC grads. Experienced, competent RNs from other countries are denied licensure all the time because they didn't have the clinical hours required for licensure in a particular state, but it's okay for EC grads, they don't have to worry. CA is the only state that is consistently enforcing the rule -- you didn't have supervised clinical experience in your nursing program, so you're not eligible for licensure here. I say kudos to them.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

At least they consistently enforce the policy... But LPNs who graduate from excelsior and move to CA can consider endorsing their LPN to CA then doing the LVN plus 30 option

I'd also point out that the ban went into effect if you graduated past 2003. There are MANY excelsior graduates with California licensure (like me!) that graduated before that time and have worked as RN's for a zillion years (for me, since 1989). No problems that I am aware of, or at least no more than the general RN graduate population.

If Excelsior grads were good enough for Cali prior to December 2003, they are good enough for Cali after December 2003. The CA BRN has some other motive on their agenda. It isn't about the competence of EC grads.

Because, for whatever reason, the CA BRN rules allow CNAs who meet specific criteria to sit the NCLEX-PN. My point is that every state BON in the US has rules that say students have to graduate from a program that includes X amount of supervised clinical experience in order to be eligible for licensure, but, for some reason, that requirement somehow doesn't apply to EC grads. No one else, just EC grads. Experienced, competent RNs from other countries are denied licensure all the time because they didn't have the clinical hours required for licensure in a particular state, but it's okay for EC grads, they don't have to worry. CA is the only state that is consistently enforcing the rule -- you didn't have supervised clinical experience in your nursing program, so you're not eligible for licensure here. I say kudos to them.

Your point might be valid if you said that they should require a certain amount of precepted hours or experience, but not based on simply because of where I graduated... the fact that prior to 2003 they accepted EC grads, and the fact that we can work at federal institutions completely invalidates their system... I am a resident of CA, and they're in it to try to get money for their state. That, or pretentious people who want to feel superior are on the BON. Is that you? No reason that they should be able to license a LVN and a RN, who take the same NCLEX everyone does, soley in their state. It's about money which is why my home has lousy healthcare, and is darn near bankrupt.

Your point might be valid if you said that they should require a certain amount of precepted hours or experience, but not based on simply because of where I graduated... the fact that prior to 2003 they accepted EC grads, and the fact that we can work at federal institutions completely invalidates their system... I am a resident of CA, and they're in it to try to get money for their state. That, or pretentious people who want to feel superior are on the BON. Is that you? No reason that they should be able to license a LVN and a RN, who take the same NCLEX everyone does, soley in their state. It's about money which is why my home has lousy healthcare, and is darn near bankrupt.

I'm sorry I did not make it sufficiently clear that I do agree that supervised clinical time as a nursing student is an appropriate requirement to have in place for licensure (which is a requirement every state BON does have in their rules).

Also, since I've been asked twice about this now, no, I am not a member of the CA BRN; I don't even live in CA. (I did live in CA in the late 1970's, but was not in nursing at the time.)

The ability to work in Federal institutions in CA has nothing to do with the issue (and certainly does not "invalidate their system"; Federal facilities/institutions are not licensed or regulated by any state. The Federal government makes its own rules for its own institutions (just as each state does), and the Federal government has decided that being licensed in any US state is good enough for them, regardless of where the facility is physically located. The Federal government could just as easily decide that no medical or nursing license is required, period, and the states would have no say-so in the matter in Federal facilities located in their states. At the same time, that would have no bearing on what licensure requirements individual states choose to have in place for facilities they do license and regulate, and would certainly not be any kind of "proof" that licensure is unnecessary.

And, also just to be clear, I am not suggesting that EC grads are incompetent. I just can't understand why they are held to a different standard, and different licensure requirements, than every other applicant for nursing licensure in the US (completing a nursing program that includes some specified number of supervised clinical hours), in every state except CA.

Hi Maltruistic,

I am an Excelsior grad who lives in California. I passed the CPNE on the first try and did the same for NCLEX, which shut off after 75 questions. My ADN was conferred in February and in May I started a BSN program. I have stated the aforementioned in an effort to convey my point that I have attained much of the same successes as individuals who attended a traditional RN program. It's unfortunate that the California BON doesn't see it that way. I have a federal job due to not being able to be licensed in California, something I was aware of before I signed up with Excelsior. I was tired of being an LVN and could not embark on a traditional program due to financial obligations. When Maryland overturned their decision to ban Excelsior graduates, I became hopeful that much of the same could happen in California - and still do. I have spoken with Excelsior's administration and, with all due respect, feel that they have an extremely unambitious attitude towards bringing resolve of the issue to fruition. I have perused your letter to the governor and find it to be direct, effectual and worthy of consideration by policy makers in the state capitol. I would love to become involved with your proposed efforts to make strides towards the ability for Excelsior nurses to be allowed to practice in the state of California. It would be fantastic if those who don't have any interest in ever working or living in California to be complicit in this quest. No matter where you reside or are employed, I think as enrolled or alum of Excelsior, it would behoove all to be in support of overturning the California BON's preposterous decision. In the least it will lend credence to our hard work and will speak to the tenacity and seriousness of the Excelsior student population to have equality of practice for all.

Congratulations, that is awesome! I skipped th BON and wrote the governor 3 times and have yet to hear from them... I have lost hope in that state, but with all of us reaching out, maybe we can get some help.

Specializes in ED.

I would take part in this. I am also a military spouse. We moved to Vegas but my husband will be commuting to CA for work or I'll be committing to Vegas for work if we move back when he finishes his masters next year. I feel that the CA BON is unreasonable in that they have ways for foreign nursing school grads to get licensure but not those from programs they don't prefer.

By all means write them... if we flood their emails they have to act... I emailed them twice nothing yet, threaten to contact the news. ..

FeatherzRN, good point!!

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