ACEN

[WonderousIvy, BSN]

I was researching this school a bit further after feeling a bit shaky about attending. I understood this program was both regionally and ACEN accredited, which was the type of program I wanted to attend. I need the flexibility of an online format, as I am an Army spouse and about to be a new mother. However, when researching the current status of their accreditation it was a bit worrisome:

• Excelsior College (Associate) Albany, NY related to non-compliance with:
  
  • Standard 4 Curriculum, Criteria 4.1 and 4.2
    
    • There is a lack of evidence that the curriculum incorporates established professional standards, guidelines, and competencies and has clearly articulated student learning outcomes and program outcomes consistent with contemporary practice.
      
    • There is a lack of evidence that the student learning outcomes are used to organize the curriculum, guide the delivery of instruction, direct learning activities, and evaluate student progress.
      

    [*]Standard 6 Outcomes, Criteria 6.1, 6.4.1, and 6.4.2

    • There is a lack of evidence that the evaluation plan emphasizes the ongoing assessment and evaluation of the student learning outcomes through all four (4) phases of the curriculum.
      
    • There is a lack of evidence that the expected level of achievement for program completion is congruent with the ACEN guidelines.
      
    • There is a lack of evidence that the program's three-year mean for the licensure examination pass rate has been at or above the national mean for the same three-year period.
      
    • There is a lack of evidence that the expected level of achievement for program completion has been consistently met.
      

  [*]Excelsior College (Baccalaureate) Albany, NY related to non-compliance with:

  • Standard 3 Students, Criterion 3.1
    
    • There is a lack of evidence that the admission policies for nursing students are consistently applied and congruent with professional standards and best practices.
      

    [*]Standard 6 Outcomes, Criterion 6.4.2 ï‚·

    • There is a lack of evidence that the expected level of achievement for program completion is congruent with the ACEN guidelines.
      
    • There is a lack of evidence that the expected level of achievement for program completion has been consistently met.
      

  [*]Excelsior College (Master's) Albany, NY related to non-compliance with:

  • Standard 3 Students, Criterion 3.1
    
    • There is a lack of evidence that the admission policies for nursing students are consistently applied and congruent with professional standards, best practices, and state regulations.
      

    [*]Standard 6 Outcomes, Criterion 6.4.2

    • There is a lack of evidence that the expected level of achievement for program completion is congruent with the ACEN guidelines.
      
    • There is a lack of evidence that the expected level of achievement for program completion has been consistently met.
      

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing – ACEN Commission Actions – Spring 2

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You're very smart to engage in a very deep analysis. Texas BON has expressed concern about multiple issues with Excelsior (public record in BON minutes). They are engaged in further analysis. It may end up 'unapproved' which will mean that grads will not be eligible for NCLEX.

No matter what route you take, you WILL need to have clinical practicum because the scope of RN practice is different from LVN. You can't become a nurse without hands-on education/training for RN skills. One of the major issues that BONs have with online education is the lack of alignment between didactic and practicum... they need to be closely connected in order to meet accreditation standards.

My advice? Go ahead and complete any pre-reqs that are very commonly required. Wait until you have a better idea of your hubs next duty station, then move ahead with schools in that area. Most bridge programs in my part of the country don't require more than 18 months or so. You could probably accomplish that before you have to relocate again.

Congrats & best wishes on your soon-to-be baby!!

[emtpbill, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

As a Paramedic who has gone through Excelsiors ADN program, I am currently just waiting for my turn to take the CPNE. I live in Pennsylvania and the PA BON recognizes distance education and more importantly for me, Excelsiors program. I absolutely loved the freedom of studying on my own and taking the credit bearing exams at my own pace. I enrolled in Excelsior in September of 2015 and was completely done all of my Pre-Reqs and Nursing exams by August of 2016, including the mysterious FCCA's.

The only caveat I could offer is that the current wait time to take the CPNE is anywhere from 9 months to 1 year(barring accepting a cancellation date that may come earlier). I honestly wish they added more hospitals to facilitate the CPNE so the students didn't have to wait so long, but it is what it is and I knew there was a wait when I enrolled.

At the end of my journey with excelsior and the NCLEX I will have the same RN license as every other nurse out there. There will be no difference on scope of practice or responsibilities.

You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders and doing due diligence is the right thing.

[WonderousIvy, BSN]

Thanks for your reply. I actually spoke with the dean of nursing and she said they've added two new CPNE locations and there will be another "in the near future". I want to move on with my career but this school worries me. If they lose their ACEN accreditation,going further with my education would be tremendously difficult.I will have to do more research before I make a final decision.

We will not find out where we are going for at least 6-7months,we're due to move in about 13months. That doesn't give me enough time to finish a program here,unfortunately. Especially,with the stress of having a new born(closest family members are in Chicago,so no help there!

[emtpbill, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

I highly doubt they would lose their accreditation, there is just too much money involved. Also, Excelsior's program has been name a NLN School of excellence. Since nothing has changed in Excelsiors program recently there would have to be a very strong reason for them to lose their accreditation.

Just my 2 cents.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

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The link above provides information to the status of EC's accreditation with ACEN. This should put your mind at ease. Although they have a follow-up for 2018, EC's accreditation is good through 2024.

Edit note: the link was there. Just google ACEN nursing and search for Excelsior College. You'll find the info you seek.

[WonderousIvy, BSN]

5�� (Internal Server) Error - We've happened upon a bit of a problem...

The link above provides information to the status of EC's accreditation with ACEN. This should put your mind at ease. Although they have a follow-up for 2018, EC's accreditation is good through 2024.

Edit note: the link was there. Just google ACEN nursing and search for Excelsior College. You'll find the info you seek.

yes I provided the link in my original post

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

The way I read this (from a nurse investigator point of view), is that they've received their accreditation through 2024; but there are a few things about the curriculum that the accrediting agency wants them to tweak and as such, has given them until 2018 to do so. As with any institution, Excelsior College is not perfect, and has room for improvement.

Again, that's my take on it.

[Girevoymedic]

I'm in the same boat emtpbill is in. I'm a medic and the freedom that the program provides made it easy for me to start Feb 2016 and be on the CPNE waiting list by Decemeber 2016. It certainly isn't perfect. The CPNE and it's subsequent wait list is horrid and designed to make it exceptionally difficult to get right under pressure. That being said, I would do it over again, will be proud to have my RN from them, and plan on possibly doing my BSN with them or WGU.

[virgomoon]

I received an email on 4/21/20. Excelsior lost accreditation except in NY. They are appealing.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Excelsior is seeking appeal of the decision to deny Associates Program ACEN accreditation.

Updated July 8,2020

ACEN--Disclosure Statement Regarding the Status of The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Excelsior College Albany, New York

Quote

What will happen next?The Appeal Hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2020 and the associate degree nursing program at Excelsior College will remain accredited with a status of continuing accreditation for good cause until the Appeal Committee renders its decision.

Why did the ACEN Board ofCommissioners vote to deny continuing accreditation to the associate degree nursing program at Excelsior College? The ACEN Board of Commissioners voted to deny continuing accreditation for failure to comply with Standard 4 Curriculum, Criterion 4.9, and Standard 6 Outcomes, Criterion 6.2, of the ACEN Standards and Criteria. Standard 4 expects the curriculum to support the achievement of the end-of-program student learning outcomes and program outcomes and is consistent with safe practice in contemporary healthcare environments. Criterion 4.9 expects student clinical experiences and practice learning environments are evidence-based; reflect contemporary practice and nationally established patient health and safety goals; and support the achievement of the end-of-program student learning outcomes. Standard 6 expects that program evaluation demonstrates that students have achieved each end-of-program student learning outcome and each program outcome. Criterion 6.2 expects the program demonstrates evidence of graduates’ achievement on the licensure examination....

http://www.acenursing.com/disclosures/ExcelsiorCollege-A_Fall2019Disclosure_070820.pdf

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

They had their appeal hearing this past week and are awaiting a determination from ACEN.