Washington State and Excelsior

Nursing Students Online Learning

Published

For those of you interested in Excelsior College, please be aware WA does accept Excelsior grads for RN licensure BUT they do require a 200 hour contracted, unpaid preceptor experience before they will allow you to test for the NCLEX and get your WA RN license. Good luck working that out. I couldn't find anyone who would do it.

I did Excelsior and had LOTS of problems with the WA BON. It was awful. However, I did learn a loop hole in the system if you are having a hard time finding a preceptor for the stupid 200 hours requirement. If you test for your NCLEX for another state on your application (you can still actually take the NCLEX locally though since it is a National test and all), you can apply to endorse your license to WA from that other state. Choose a state that does not have any special requirements for Excelsior grads and your RN license will transfer right over!

In my research after the fact when I was having so many issues, I learned the Minnesota has 1) the lowest RN NCLEX application fee and 2) the fastest turn around time for license verification, 10 days (some states take months to get the info to the BON).

So, your original RN license would be MN but you never live/work or do anything with it other than immediately apply for WA RN License by Endorsement. Application here http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professio...s/RN_byEnd.pdf

It negates the preceptor requirement and the whole process is way easier and faster (10 days from application to Authorization to take NCLEX). Minnesota RN licensing requirements and info: https://www.hlb.state.mn.us/mbn/Port...0packet-US.pdf The application/license fee is $85 for MN. Then another $90 for Endorsement to WA. Once you are licensed in another state WA cannot deny your application regardless of where you graduated (unless there are other reasons on the application to deny you).

MN has an easy online application. You may want to call them to be sure they have not changed their rules about Exelcesior College since I was dealing with this issue several years ago. But, if you go this route it should be pretty painless.

WOW, I am in the same situation! I am enrolled in Excelsior LPN to RN and I am moving from AZ to Washington and I need to find a clinical spot for my 200 hours so I can sit for the NCLEX. Can anyone please give me some names of places in Washington (seattle area) that would let me do my clinicals w/ them.

Thanks,

Josie

Specializes in Emergency, Occupational, Primary.

There doesn't seem to be any place to do a 1000 hour internship in WA. I would take the NCLEX and work 1000 hours in AZ before you move, otherwise you'll have to test and work in Oregon or Idaho. Or possibly the VA in Washington will let you work there with another state's license.

--EquuszRN

Thanks for our reply. I have lived in OR all my life but we are moving to Seattle so working in OR is not an option and staying here in AZ is not an option also. I will just keep looking for a 200 hour clinical site in Wash. if you hear of anything please let me know. Do you thing the VA would allow students to do their clinicals there?

Josie

Specializes in Emergency, Occupational, Primary.

I haven't heard of any place doing clinicals for nurses that weren't their own students but I suppose it's possible. But if I were you I would take my NCLEX there in AZ; you should be able to work at the VA in Washington under any state license. Good luck!

--Equusz

+ Add a Comment