[dmarie (GA)]

Hi everyone. I'm a newly graduated LPN and I'm considering the Excelsior LPN-RN route. I have all my pre-reqs out of the way, so it's just a matter of the nursing classes and the clinical component.

I spoke to a lady at the GBON and a rep from Excelsior. Both told me that Georgia accepts Excelsior through recipricocity - simply obtain a license in another state, then apply to Georgia, pay a fee, and that's it!

But I was reading a thread here that said I would also have to work 500 hours in another state and get endorsed into Georgia. I wasn't aware of this. I knew some states required this, but I didn't think Georgia did.

I'm going to call the GBON again tomorrow, but in the meantime, is there anyone out there who got their degree from Excelsior and is now working in GA? What did you have to do to get your license here?

Thanks~~~

[dmarie (GA)]

I just spoke to a rep. from GBON, and she assured me that the only thing required for an Excelsior new grad to obtain a Georgia license is to get licensed in another state and then transfer it in from another state and pay a small fee. No additional hours of work in another state is required.

Just to be sure I was receiving correct information, I hung up and called back, spoke with ANOTHER rep, and she told me the exact same thing. After graduating Excelsior, get licensed in another state like Tennessee, and then immediately turn around and transfer your license into Georgia. It's as simple as filling out a form and paying a fee. This is the process for NEW GRADS. If you wait longer than 1 year to transfer the license, you will then be required to show 500 hours of work in the original state.

This is information directly from the GBON.

[mandasueRN]

I graduated October 2006 from Excelsior, took the NCLEX in December and had my Georgia license by the end of January. I've been working ever since. I had no problems whatsoever getting my Georgia license. I got my original license from Minnesota--never set foot there in my entire life--because at the time the Excelsior rep recommended them.

[dmarie (GA)]

that's good news! thank you so much. btw, were you an LPN prior, and did you have acute care hospital experience? i'm worried about the clinical checkoff everyone talks about. i only have LTC experience.

thanks!

[mandasueRN]

Originally Posted by dmarie (GA)

that's good news! thank you so much. btw, were you an LPN prior, and did you have acute care hospital experience? i'm worried about the clinical checkoff everyone talks about. i only have LTC experience.

thanks!

Actually I was a paramedic who had almost completed a traditional ADN program when I had to withdraw for health reasons. I used Excelsior to finish up my degree. The CPNE was hard, but not anything an LPN couldn't handle. Just make sure you know all your critical elements and you will be fine.

[Sweet Pea 1]

Originally Posted by dmarie (GA)

I just spoke to a rep. from GBON, and she assured me that the only thing required for an Excelsior new grad to obtain a Georgia license is to get licensed in another state and then transfer it in from another state and pay a small fee. No additional hours of work in another state is required.

Just to be sure I was receiving correct information, I hung up and called back, spoke with ANOTHER rep, and she told me the exact same thing. After graduating Excelsior, get licensed in another state like Tennessee, and then immediately turn around and transfer your license into Georgia. It's as simple as filling out a form and paying a fee. This is the process for NEW GRADS. If you wait longer than 1 year to transfer the license, you will then be required to show 500 hours of work in the original state.

This is information directly from the GBON.

Which degree are you going for the AS or the AAS?

[yellow finch]

I didn't attend Excelsior, but worked with a girl who did the LPN-RN program. She said she didn't have any problems with licensing and is actually working in a CVICU in Atlanta after many years in different units.

Best of luck to you!

[Poochee]

As a LPN, my application procees, required 500 hours within 5 years, or a refresher course. Just for the LPN's out there.