Anyone familiar with Florida Hospital College?

Published

I am enrolled to start classes in May. Their online program is new (RN to BSN) but has all of the appropriate accreditation. They are still developing a BSN to MSN program. I was enrolled in the University of Phoenix Online and loved it, but financially it was too much! Would love to hear from anyone else doing the distance learning route.

Hi, happy to answer your questions

No clinicals were necessary in this program, as we are all RNs already. There was some 'service hours' in the courses, but those were fulfilled by the course requirements such as in the population focused community health you had to give a few education presentations to your target audiences.

Most of the classes were 7 weeks. In my last semester they were changing some of the more challenging courses (pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing research) to a 14 week semester. They suggest taking one course at a time, but I found it reasonable to take 2 courses concurrently and managed fine.

The courses are really set up in a system and a schedule - for example, on monday you start the readings, on wednesday you post your discussion, on friday you take a quiz or post your responses etc....most courses have a one hour 'chat' where you sign up for the most convenient time and you have a discussion with 15 classmates and a facilitator.

The books are outrageous!!! (aren't all textbooks crazy expensive???) But of course you can buy them online at ebay, half.com, amazon etc...look for the best price on the correct edition and you will do better. Also, you can buy from your classmates that maybe already finished that class....

I thought the instructors were very approachable, you have the facilitator that is your resource, and you also can reach the main instructor via email.

I don't think there were any lab fees, you don't go to lab! The graduation fee was 50 dollars, and it covered your diploma, cap and gown, pinning ceremony (have to buy your own pin though) graduation luncheon, and graduation program and photo. It was the best money I ever spent!!!

The one thing I found the most difficult was sustaining to the end of the program. Make no mistake, it is a lot of work. It is writing papers every week, it is one course after another and you just have to put your head down and keep plodding along....If it was easy it would be meaningless wouldn't it? So make up your mind and go for it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/NICU/Dialysis.

Capgirl thanks so much for the information. I'm at present waiting for the evaluation of my transfer credits. It's sad to say I've been half way through my BSN since 2000 where I took "just a semester off" during a difficult family time.

And again congradulation s on your achievement. :bow:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, Transplant ICU, CCRN.

Hi,

I am a current student. I like the program. If you stay focus, it is doable. I took 2 classes for the first 7 week, and I am now starting the second half of the semester. The teachers are very helpful. I think you will like the program. Best Wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would have loved to get my RN-BSN via Florida Hospital College. I called and e-mailed them and they told me they DID NOT accept Excelsior's ASN degree. I was so down and discouraged. :o I'm a little confused because I know someone who is a Regents graduate who is enrolled there. The funny thing is that I e-mailed UNC-Chapel Hill about their RN-BSN and they told me "sure we accept Excelsior". That made me feel better. They also sent me a nice packet about the RN-BSN and MSN programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

you need to talk to someone else. i talked to them and they told me they dd accept ec. i dont understand this ...one question..do you have to have a florida license that may be a problem if your not a lvn already...

i would have loved to get my rn-bsn via florida hospital college. i called and e-mailed them and they told me they did not accept excelsior's asn degree. i was so down and discouraged. :o i'm a little confused because i know someone who is a regents graduate who is enrolled there. the funny thing is that i e-mailed unc-chapel hill about their rn-bsn and they told me "sure we accept excelsior". that made me feel better. they also sent me a nice packet about the rn-bsn and msn programs.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been an LPN for over 5 years. I live in Mississippi and have a mississippi license. I talked to two people and kept one of the e-mails.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

why don't they accept them? even if they do not accept ec (which i will be verifying today because lol they lied to me) they should accept your rn license. did you do all of your pre- classes through ec? there is no reason whatsoever they should not accept ec....ill have the answers to these questions by the end of the day...

i've been an lpn for over 5 years. i live in mississippi and have a mississippi license. i talked to two people and kept one of the e-mails.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in FNP.

I also live in Orlando, and I sent in the application and fee. They called me back and said they do not accept Excelsior Grads so she said,she would rip up my money order that was this year. So maybe now they have changed.

And I do have a Florida RN and LPN license.

Hotlando

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

they are telling me that they do not accept ec grads as well. i am in the middle of the conversation via e-mail and i want to know why...i very pro ec so this is offending me..lol several years ago i was told repeatedly that ec was accepted. however, this was before all the bon did the changes...i just want to know why and will post here when i find out...

i also live in orlando, and i sent in the application and fee. they called me back and said they do not accept excelsior grads so she said,she would rip up my money order that was this year. so maybe now they have changed.

and i do have a florida rn and lpn license.

hotlando

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

ok it is because of the recent changes in the florida's bon decision and ec...ok but what about out of state students i don't have those restrictions and since they are not issuing the initial license ...whats the problem???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for checking. i thought i was going nuts. it's hard to believe that other highly respected colleges like unc and duke accept excelsior , yet this school will not. something is very wrong here. they truly do not understand that excelsior is an excellent school. hmmmm their loss.

i know the florida bon has issues with excelsior. when will these states open their eyes?

they are telling me that they do not accept ec grads as well. i am in the middle of the conversation via e-mail and i want to know why...i very pro ec so this is offending me..lol several years ago i was told repeatedly that ec was accepted. however, this was before all the bon did the changes...i just want to know why and will post here when i find out...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

The Florida BON has no issues with EC grads who were LPNs like you ladies ... it's medics like me that can't endorse in without 2 years of RN experience. ;)

I'm hereby removing them from the sacred RN-BSN spreadsheet! While muttering a choice word that is against the allnurses TOS and sounds a lot like a brand of jam called Smuckers. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion