Need help regarding online vs traditional programs and job opportunities

Nursing Students Excelsior

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I am an experienced paramedic looking to complete my ASN / BSN. I qualify for entry into the Excelsior program. I am concerned about whether this method will qualify me for RN jobs once I graduate. I travel a lot for a living, so a traditional program would'nt work. Have you guys heard of any issues with Excelsior graduates finding employment?

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

Go to the Excelsior forum here on allnurses. There are several former medics now successful RNs active. Look for LunahRN who is now an army emergency nurse on active duty deployment

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN!

Thread moved for best response

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Truly the bigger issue is for new grad RNs finding work, not just Excelsior grads. But it also depends on your area - are you somewhere with a lot of nursing schools, for example?

I think with the rise in popularity and accessibility of online/distance learning, people have less of that knee-jerk reaction and are more open to nontraditional methods of obtaining education.

Just be aware that EC grads cannot currently be licensed in California, and other states may have additional requirements for licensure, so this route does have some drawbacks. There is a bunch of info here: https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-distance-808335.html

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As said, California is the only state you could not work in if you go through Excelsior. Several other states have other restrictions on Excelsior grads, but they are either time working as an RN in another state or some extra courses you may need to take.

While looking for a job as a new RN, nobody cared that I went to Excelsior (some had never heard of it and thought it was interesting), they just cared that I was an RN.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

No one cared where I went to school. Check out state by state restrictions here: Excelsior College | State Board Requirements. I was (and still am) a paramedic and the program worked great for me.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I was offered two positions in FL after graduating...one on a Med Surg unit and one as a case manager...I took the case management position and have been doing that for over a year while I finished EC's BSN program as well...no issues for me! =) I really think as the above posters have states, it's not so much an EC grad finding it difficult to find a job but RN's in general depending on the area as new grad

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