Furious With Excelsior - California EMTs Unite!

kahoro · Sep 11, 2003

" In moods of discourangement or despair, never forget that the sunshine will ultimately come back , that it's absence never permanent. Hang onto your faith knowing that soon you will rise in to the sunshine again "

kathyann · Sep 11, 2003

It is actually the California Board of Nursing whom have instituted this decision by Excellsior..(or, perhaps the CNA) . I am not sure about all of the logistics of the issue, but I graduated from Excellsior myself (I was an LPN) in 2000, and while working in Ca. as a traveler I learned that the Ca. BON was no longer going to accept a degree from this university for licesure in Ca. unless these changes were implemented. Sorry, but it isn't Excellsior-it's the state of Ca. manadating this.......

Agnus · Sep 11, 2003

The above poster is correct it. Excelsior does not have a choice in the matter it is the CA BON. Please, let the CA BON know of your concerns. It is the squeeky wheel that get anything.

Due to a receint ruling by CA BON anyone not enrolled in Excelsior before Sep 1, 2003 will not be elegible in that state.

If enough people voice a compelling enough arguement you may suceed in getting this changed.

Excelsior cannot speak for the BONs of various states, that is why they did not tell you.

However, they DO SAY to check with your BON before enrolling.

I am sorry this happened to you. It is the pitts.

framps · Sep 11, 2003

I believe the CA BRN issue is a separate one. It is true that they will no longer be accepting Excelsior Students for direct licensure. However, Excelsior is encouraging California EMTs to apply prior to the deadline of Sept 12. This deadline was extended for California EMTs because of the anticipated decision by the BRN.

Prior to applying I checked with both Excelsior and the CA BRN regarding admission requirement and the ability to gain direct licensure in CA.

In addition, I dont live in CA anymore. I've moved back to NY in the past 4 weeks.

Excelsior has informed me that if I can get my reciprocity processed by the time the appeal needs to be in they'll accept me. Unfortunately, I'm going to be a couple of weeks off.

cswitzer · Sep 12, 2003

Excelsior College stopped accepting EMT enrollment as of Sept 1, 2003. Unless you hold a paramedic licensure, you no longer qualifiy. This is nationwide, not just Calfornia. Now, the CA SBON is making a decision TODAY to decide whether to continue the ASN program in California.

I totally agree with everyone's dissapointment.

cswitzer · Sep 12, 2003

http://www.rn.ca.gov/news/news.htm

CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF NURSING HAS POSTPONED THEIR DECISION ON THE ASN PROGRAM WITH EXCELSIOR COLLEGE!

framps · Sep 12, 2003

That is good news. However, it does not affect me or the other California EMT's who applied for admission prior to Sept. 1st who are being declined admission because they are not nationally certified.

According to Excelsior, EMT's must have either state OR national certification (+ clinical hours) to apply. They are stating that CA EMTs must have national certification since there is no California state EMT certification, only county. They aslo say that although my certification says California State Fire Marshal on it, it is actually a county cert.

fab4fan · Sep 12, 2003

I'm not asking this to be rude, I'm just wondering: how difficult would it be for you to get the needed cert. vs. having to go another route to get into school?

I don't know what all goes into EMT certification. :confused:

framps · Sep 13, 2003

The needed cert. (Nat'l Reg. or NY cert) isn't difficult at all. I've already applied for a NY EMT cert. (just moved) The problem is it takes a few weeks. I only have two weeks to appeal Excelsior's decision.

As for looking into a different progam, all the local programs have long waiting lists. It would be a year before I could start.

Thanks for your response!

fab4fan · Sep 13, 2003

Thanks for filling me in.