Regents College

MissyS · Mar 12, 2000

I am currently getting my degree at UOP, online. It is expensive, but a good program and it is great not to have to go to class. I have worked with RN's from Reagents. They have no clinical backround and are seriously lacking drug information. The only skill I haven't had to teach them is hand washing. It is possible to learn needed skills at work, but I feel their program is dangerous.

peachy · Apr 3, 2000

Sorry Missy, but your's is a very concentrated opinion of Regeant's nurses' skill, effectiveness and understanding.

For the most part, most of those nurses enrolled or graduated from Regent's MUST be licensed nurses. In fact, most in their program are advancing their education to BSN and to graduate level, since they must already be registered nurses in good standing. That is, the have graduated from NLN schools, are licensed as registered nurses, and have in most cases, many years of direct clinical experience.

Some exceptions--LPNs-but they must advance to Associate's degree and take NCLEX-RN prior to moving into the BSN program.

If you go to their very comprehensive web site, you clearly see the stipulations. Many graduates of their program have move on to other graduate programs and many highly respected universities and well as some IVY League schools.

I am not sure what kind of nursing programs that "your Regent's grads" graduated from prior to moving into the Regent's program in Albany, NY, but perhaps those are the programs whose clinical education you should be questioning. Obviously you DO NOT understand how the program works. Until you do, you would be wise to be quiet.

Nurz · Apr 3, 2000

In regards to the posting related to Regents...I am a graduate that currently holds a nursing supervisory position in a local hospital.I have no qualms of continuing into the Regents programs for my masters.....As long as you are comfortable with your clinical skills......than why not give regents a try!

dianee · Apr 4, 2000

Hi- Congratulations on wanting to go back for your BSN. The nurses I know that received their BSNs from Regents are great nurses. I checked into their program about 6 years ago, at that time there were several nurses that said they were having problems scheduling their clinical rotation tests. I don't know if that's the case now or not. I chose Graceland College's Distance BSN program and it was great. I graduated 3 years ago, and felt like it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Everything to do with Graceland is first class all the way. (It was expensive though...) I'm getting my MSN through a distance program from UNLV now, and I've come to think you can choose to make your education what you want. If Regents delivery format works the best for yo, go for it. If you are not sure, take some time and look into all that's available. There are many state colleges that are offering RN>BSN programs( I think they can see there is big money in it. ) now, and they will cost a lot less. I know that Montana State University and the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR) both offer BSN programs completley on-line now. Good Luck !

Kikumaru · Apr 11, 2002

Missy, having recently QUIT the UOP program after realizing that they have their deviant and financially draining ways (financial aid problems, online instructors who don't respond to postings, teams who are dysfnctional and UOP doing nothing about it when it's reported), I question someone who rates them highly. I would not like to work with you!

Originally posted by MissyS
I am currently getting my degree at UOP, online. It is expensive, but a good program and it is great not to have to go to class. I have worked with RN's from Reagents. They have no clinical backround and are seriously lacking drug information. The only skill I haven't had to teach them is hand washing. It is possible to learn needed skills at work, but I feel their program is dangerous.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2002

I was enrolled in Regent's for a time, so I DO know what I am talking about. Regent's has two programs. One is an associates degree for RN, and yes, it can be done by someone who has never done any nursing before, it is not, however w/o clinicals. The clinicals are brutal, and even many experienced nurses fail them (which I believe is more a money-making ploy, than not.) The other program is the RN to BSN, which clearly, one has to be not only a licensed nurse, but one must also have to provide eveidence of competencies in many areas, and there are 3 horrible clinical components, one of which may be challenged by portfolio.

Missy, the Associate program would be difficult for many who have no medical background. Howevere, from being in the chat room of the school, and speaking with many students from these schools, most are LPN's going for their RN's. Or, some CNA's and paramedics, etc. I am talking about people who have had exposure to the nursing profession. Granted it is possible for a health field "virgin" to enroll and graduate from the program, but I would say those grads are the minority of the associate program. I think that LPN's who are in this program would be quite offended by your remarks, and maybe you shouldn't generalize so much. Exactly how many of these graduates have you oriented personally?

I have to tell you, medical expereince or no, just to graduate from this wretched program is a testimony to perserverence and motivation. Those aren't such bad qualities for a new nurse. And given the opportunity to work with someone who is not willing to chew them up and spit them out, they might be an asset to this profession and bring some needed relief!

Mind you this is not an endorsement for Regents who is now known as Excelsior. Far from it, I would not recommend it to anyone, for reasons I will not share on the internet.

Debbs · Aug 17, 2002

AMEN SISTER! I have been there, done it, and looking for somewhere else to go for the MSN NP level. After 8 years, I still have horrible thoughts about going there again, almost like Post Traumatic Stress! Deb

Paramedic · Aug 17, 2002

Regents is not Regents anymore. They are now Excelsior College and I am currently getting my nursing degree through them. I am not a nurse, but a Paramedic and I have extensive clinical skills because of the medic training. I am also a clinical instructor for our local college. I am getting my degree on my own because my schedule will not allow me to do the 8-5 nursing school.

I believe that there are great nurses, good nurses, and adequate nurses. And that does not always come from where you graduated, but from your attitude towards learning and how well you deal with people on a whole. I personally will graduate from Excelsior as a great nurse.

Excelsior College does not accept any nursing students to their program who do not have some type of medical background already.

Rick

froghairfinlay · Aug 18, 2002

I have a question about the clinicals at Regents. What happens if you fail the clinicals? Do you get to take them over? I heard a nursing instructor comment that you had to be perfect to pass. That it was so difficult. Thanks for the info in advance.

Debbs · Aug 18, 2002

The clinicals can be taken 3 times I believe, I recall that one or two people who took the CPNE with me were on their 2nd try. I remember feeling great empathy and fear when someone left the clinicals in tears. It wears on everyone and increases the stress level, which I believe intereferes with one's optimum performance. I recall one nurse who failed to wash her hands prior to speaking to the client, and another person who failed because he touched the abdomen (not palpating) prior to auscultating during assessment. I believe the client had a complaint of abdominal pain and the testee was using touch to gain rapport/understanding as to the location of the pain. I do believe thes two individuals had already one strike against them in a CRITICAL AREA and these events caused instant termination. If something does go wrong in a NONCRITICAL area and they want more proof of your skills, it is retried on day 3, so there is a chance. I personally believe stress management is key. I did pass and spilled enough cortisol and glucagon in my system to last a long while. I recommend a vacation after this test. Deb

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 18, 2002

i would advise any one who is contemplating getting their degree through excelsior or anyone to,

1. talk with your state board of nursing

2. find out if employers hire their graduates

3. determine if you are self motivated

4. find out what graduated schools accept their graduates

5. find out what undergraduated schools accepted their clep courses either general or nusing courses

6. determine what you expect from their program

7. inquire what their program expects from you

8. find out if going through rue and others publishers is necessary or should you go through excelsior only.

9. seek information about your local college nursing program and compare excelsior's nursing classes and general courses

10. ask your local college about their clinical rotations/hours and compare excelsior's cpne (3 day one weekend clinical rotation)/hours

11. compare both programs cost

i do know that if you have had any clinical experiences with direct patient situations, except for nursing assistants, you can obtain your degree through excelsior. in their catalog, it states that if you can provide documentation of clinical experiences for those who are not lpn/lvn, rn, paramedics, cma, etc. it is possible to obtain your rn through them. their catalog can be downloaded.

i started with rue/regents in 1997 and after much consideration, it was not for me.and our board of nursing was not "excited" with this route to obtained one's degree. i was concerned about the clinical rotations and direct personal contact with instructors and students, although excelsior have adviors and students that can be of help.

excelsior rn (adn) program is designed to be completed in 24 months but you may take up to seven years to complete the program.

you have 6 times to pass the general and nursing courses and 3 times to pass the cpne (clinical rotation of one weekend) and if unsuccessful, you are out of their program.

your general education courses may be older than 5 years and this includes your sciences.

this route to obtain a degree is all some people have to doing so, but it is a personal choice and it has been done.

if i may, seek information from the schools directly you wish to attend. although those who have experiences from the school you are interested in, there will be many views, either positive or negative and your personality, ability, and determination may be just the opposite.

all the best to you.