BON CHANGES For EXCELSIOR students in Virginia!!!

toicole · Jul 18, 2008

As far as I know North Carolina does not have a problem with EC clinical requirement. Have you tried calling the VA BON to see what they may be working on with EC. I know they are meeting in September, but that does not help you now. I'm sorry I wish I could be more help, I am in the same boat as you. I think they should allow you to finish if you are already enrolled or at least anyone continue the program and get the clinical hours required somewhere. Good Luck to you.

2littlemaltese · Jul 18, 2008

Thanks for your response. I have tried several times to get through to VA BON by phone and after going through the lengthy menus, I still was put on hold for extreme waits, so I'd just hang up. They're probably very busy with calls regarding this new regulation. I have left 2-3 emails with the BON, but have not got a response yet.

I did talk to Excelsior today, and they said I could apply for a different state license (such as NC) after I complete the LPN-RN program without me having my home residency in that state---but must work in that statewhere I hold the license for. I am affected, because I was NOT enrolled by April 02,08. Whether I move to another state, or commute to work to another state, looks like my alternative.

I wish you the best in your studies and a successful CPNE.:)

Nurs4jc · Jul 21, 2008

Nurs4jc, Where in VA are you located? I'm trying to decide if I want to wait until Spring 2010, to start the RN program at the CC or try and finish with EC.

TSRN2BE,

To answer you ?, I live in the Shenandoah Valley. I see you live in Hampton Roads. We lived in NN/Hampton from 95-02. Small world! I'm trying to get my head straight with the changes also and "what" I want to do. My main issue is I am a full-time stay @ home mommy of 3 ( and plan to cook another one up soon). My first "career" is homeschooling my children, which I enjoy and works great with my family. I have a degree in computers 99', but went to a P/T evening nursing school when my two oldest were only 3 years old and 10 weeks old. I wanted a job where I could still be "Mommy" first, but pick up good paying PRN or weekend work if I ever wanted or needed to. I had told myself at the start of nursing school that I would be happy with my LPN-if I could just get that done. Of course by the end of nursing school I saw how little I had left @ CC to get my RN, but their program is basically FT days with lots of clinicals (doing the SAME clinicals we already did in LPN training...only we graduate with hands on skills) and that defeats my purpose in "mommy land." :heartbeat So I've been picking away @ EC since then, finished A&P 1 and 2 this spring, have all my electives and was working on LSDP exam. Now I can't help but feeling stuck. Part of me says get up @ 4am before the kids, get my studying done and get this EC/RN thing done...because after 12/09 this chance will be over. Another part of me says, at the most I only work 4 days per month...be happy w/ what I've got and stop chasing the "mighty RN." If I did have it though I'd continue on w/ my RN-BSN program online (thousands of those to choose from if I get to that point :crying2: ) and even continue on with maybe the partime/one day per week FNP @ JMU...even though that would be 1 day per week for 3 years...I could still do that as my "mommy day out." We all have our reasons for wanting to go from LPN to RN, mainly it's because we do LOVE this field and want more choices and oppertunity within the profession.

Well, I've posted a Novel! But this is where I'm at with all this. I'd like to have it. I know I'd be doing the same job I do now for more $ and have more oppertunity. I just need a swift kick in the paints to speed it up-hopefully this BON change will swing me into HIGH GEAR!

Nurs4jc

toicole · Jul 21, 2008

I had the same problem as you as far as school goes, whether to get in gear and finish or go back to CC. The only problem is CC is 3 to 4 days a week and I can't really afford to miss alot of time from work. So I have decided to give it a try and hope to be finished before the end of next year. I can't tell you what to do, but whatever you decide to do GOOD LUCK.

2littlemaltese · Jul 25, 2008

Am I correctly understanding this: IF YOU ARE NOT ENROLLED AT EXCELSIOR BY APRIL 02,2008 YOU CAN NOT TAKE THE VIRGINIA NCLEX?? I've taken the college courses, I am taking Chronicity now (just started ), but I have'nt enrolled yet. I understood that you didn't have to enroll until you get to the Nursing ConceptIII (Chronicity). So I planned to enroll now, but this new surprise VA BON LAW has put an extreme ostacle in the way! I'm like you, I do not want to go to a CC or traditional nursing school & be there in class & clinical & all that other stuff. I've been there there , done that & don't have the time. If this enrollment dead line is true, I still don't qualify to complete everything (+CPNE) by Dec. 31, 2009. I hear the waiting list for scheduling the CPNE takes 4-8 months.

Nurs4jc · Jul 25, 2008

The way I understand it is "however" you get your classes and CPNE done...everything has to be in to the VBON by 12/31/09 for you to sit for the NCLEX and NOT do the additional 500 hour requirement. Read my orginial post that started this thread, it has the VBON web link and a cut/pasted copy of the verbage of the new changes.

Personally, I'm going to give it an honest effort P-U-S-H because I've got over 1/2 of it done. My try is if I can (of course get up before the kids :yeah: -staying up late doesn't work for me) and study 3-4 hours every morning/7 days a week...I can do one exam per month...that would put me being done w/ the FCCA April 09...then get on waiting list for CPNE...which is exactly 8 months until cut off w/ BON from that point...so I'll be praying for divine favor to take the CPNE within 4-6 months from apirl 09'. Also, we need to find out if there is some kind of a waiting list as far as hospitals go for the CPNE. Like if we'd have to wait 6 months to go to the one in NY, but maybe the one in GA is only 3 months. I'll go where ever once it comes that time, just get it done before the deadline. As I see it, if you/we do this there is no room for error. Sometimes I work really good under pressure, it makes me get things done. I don't know what your study plan is, but whatever you have to do is better than sitting in class, redoing clinicials...blah, blah, blah!

God Bless!

Nurs4jc

serenity67 · Jul 25, 2008

i am also currently enrolled in ec in the lpn to associate degree rn program. i have been in close and frequent contact with the assistant dean of ec nursing program and the va bon. i have some extra of info about what's happening with the ec/va bon situation, but i know this site does not allow us to post links. in my profile you can visit my homepage and send me an e-mail from there if you would like to be kept informed. these kinds of changes have been happening in other states and i think ec has had "just about enough of it". if you live in the state of va i'd love to hear from you! :)

toicole · Jul 26, 2008

I didn't enroll until May and when I spoke with them they said if you think you can be finished by next year, I can continue it is totally up to you. They said if you had not enrolled they would not advise it, that also depends on how many classes you have left. If you have 15-20 classes left of course that might be a little tricky. They also said they would like you to be CPNE eligible by March, just to give you enough time. I think and hope once you register for the CPNE and they know you are on a time limit they will try to get you in as soon as possible. Someone said on another post on Distant learning, they did that when Maryland students needed to be finished. What concerns me is the FCCA that are not ready yet. They will alllow us to take the CPNE if they are not ready, but what is going to happen if those tests are not ready. The clock is ticking. For those of you that are going to continue GOOD LUCK and for those who cannot you will get you RN another way. I am going to go for it. I hope we can give support to each other to get us through this. With a strong support system and faith there isn't anything you can't do.

serenity67 · Jul 27, 2008

How many classes do you have to complete? Did you have any pre-req.'s to finish first? I was informed by the VA BON that we can send a written request for an extension to the deadline. It has to arrive there before the end of August, as they will be reviewing them all at the Sept. BON meeting. The more requests they receive, the more chance we have at getting them to extend the deadline. EC is trying to get the deadline removed COMPLETELY for students that have enrolled in the program prior to the date of this new legislation. That would be great if that happens, but AT MINIMUM we need to send in our letters as well so the BON can see that this deadline of 12/31/2009 is a completely unrealistic deadline. If you need the address and name of the person at the BON to address your request to, let me know and I can send it to you.

toicole · Jul 28, 2008

I have Reproductive, Life Span 1,2,3, Transition, Humanities, Info Lit, Micro and the FCCA. EC said once I finish the Nursing exams, I could register for the CPNE, then finish the others after that. I sent you an email yersterday.

serenity67 · Jul 28, 2008

I thought I e-mailed you back. Did you get it? If not, let me know and I'll resend. :)

toicole · Jul 28, 2008

I did receive it. Thank You

BON *CHANGES* For EXCELSIOR students in Virginia!!!

BON CHANGES For EXCELSIOR students in Virginia!!!