I am currently in an RN program that has an LPN exit option. I will be eligible to take my state boards for my LPN in December. Originally when I started school I planned to go all the way through for my RN, but now I am getting stressed as to how to juggle it all. Daycare expenses are killing me without me having an income, but with 5 kids I don't see how I could work and go to school. I have been seriously considering going through Excelsior for my RN, but have some reservations. Mostly I'm concerned about employment with an Excelsior degree. Do employers look at this job equally? Has anyone had a problem getting a job with an Excelsior degree? Has anyone been discriminated for having a non-traditional degree? Also I live in Michigan does anyone know how Michigan state boards look at Excelsior degrees? Any and all feedback would be appreciated.
I was wondering if anyone could offer advice or suggestions for me. I have been in the medical field for about 18 years. Mainly doing medical billing. I was going to an university and completed 2 years of the nursing program. Circumstances came up and I was unable to continue. I'm going through Excelsior and have one more test to take before the CPNE. I was working as a nurse intern at a hospital for about 8-9 months, then hours started getting cut. Needing to support myself I found another billing job. I'm also looking at trying to get a nurse assistant job or something more clinical to keep my skills up. I just have this fear that even with a RN behind my name I will find it hard to get a job. I was thinking of going for an EMT to get some experience. Since there is a wait for the CPNE. But I don't know if that's a good idea. I could be done with both at the same time? One hospital said that without LPN experience the VP of nursing there won't even consider hiring someone from Excelsior. So now I'm worried that I have made a huge mistake by doing this. So any advice or suggestions would be helpful.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Hi, Kim- have you considered asking any of the other hospitals in your area if you can do an externship with them? If you're that close to the CPNE, it might be a waste of time to get your EMT. Most facilities do not ask where you graduated once you've passed the boards and have that license in hand. I already had my LPN, so maybe someone else here with a similar background to yours can advise you on other ways to get clinical experience, so that you feel more prepared when you graduate. Good luck to you!
I've had no problems getting jobs and I'm an excelsior grad (in California, no less). I am currently working for Kaiser Permanente and am starting at a well known Beverly Hills hospital next month -- and these are more coveted outpatient positions, as I am tired of hospital work. :)
Worst case, btw, the VA hospitals will hire you with a license from any other state. There were plenty of nurses with New York and Illinois licenses working at my California VA, and I myself had a Nevada license at the time. :)
All that said I WAS an LVN before going on for my RN - I don't think I would have gone the excelsior route otherwise (you could, back in those days)..
I've had no problems getting jobs and I'm an excelsior grad (in California, no less). I am currently working for Kaiser Permanente and am starting at a well known Beverly Hills hospital next month -- and these are more coveted outpatient positions, as I am tired of hospital work. :)
Worst case, btw, the VA hospitals will hire you with a license from any other state. There were plenty of nurses with New York and Illinois licenses working at my California VA, and I myself had a Nevada license at the time. :)
All that said I WAS an LVN before going on for my RN - I don't think I would have gone the excelsior route otherwise (you could, back in those days)..
Did you just recently find a job at Kaiser as an EC grad?
I'm asking because I had planned on doing some travel work in CA so I got an application for endorsement from the CA BON. I'm eligible for licensure because I graduated from EC before the "hype" in CA began.
But after reading so much about Kaiser and the CNA being behind the recent CA boards decisions about EC grads I never sent in my application because even if I did get a CA license I wasn't sure that I wanted to go where my kind wasn't wanted. I certainly wouldn't go out there and tolerate any hospital or staff viewing me as less than a nurse because I graduated from EC.
I still would like to go someday but the more awful things I read about CA giving EC grads a hard time, the more I felt like I'll just take my license, skills, and experience elsewhere where I would be appreciated.
Do you know other recent EC grads in CA that have had any difficulty in getting jobs because they were EC grads with the recent bad name that the school has been given by your state?
In Illinois - unfortunately, you can't sit for the NCLEX-RN unless your RN program has clinicals. I would just check with your BON and go from there. You sound amazingly focused - good luck.
I started at Kaiser about a year and a half ago. They didn't even seem to notice where I had went to school, and no one asked me any questions. However, a new grad would probably get more notice placed on their education - I graduated Excelsior (then Regents) in 1989, so after 15 years they don't do much more than glance at the education section. :)
I know lots of Regents grads who have had no problems finding jobs out here, however I don't know any RECENT graduates. That may be a different story, as they have no proven work history.
As for staff giving you a hard time, it's never been a problem for me.
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.
I've never had a prob getting a job. Most people have never asked me what school I graduated from, just that I had a valid license. Now as a Director of Nursing, I find I don't look either, just if they have a license.
I currently have a PCT/EMT working for me. She is just completing her LPN and I've helped her study along the way. THe second she has her LPN in her hand she's going to send in her application. She has a plan to have her RN in 5 months after she gets her LPN. Be on the street working 6 months before her fellow LPN students will be finished with the RN part of the program
So if you can't find a job where you are, drop me aline. :) I know no recruiting allowed. Just make sure you don't get sidetracked when you finish the LPN. ANd make sure you check with your Board of NURsing. Be specific with your questions to them. Make sure you check on the difference between AAS and AS.
kimz
10 Posts
Hi
I was wondering if anyone could offer advice or suggestions for me. I have been in the medical field for about 18 years. Mainly doing medical billing. I was going to an university and completed 2 years of the nursing program. Circumstances came up and I was unable to continue. I'm going through Excelsior and have one more test to take before the CPNE. I was working as a nurse intern at a hospital for about 8-9 months, then hours started getting cut. Needing to support myself I found another billing job. I'm also looking at trying to get a nurse assistant job or something more clinical to keep my skills up. I just have this fear that even with a RN behind my name I will find it hard to get a job. I was thinking of going for an EMT to get some experience. Since there is a wait for the CPNE. But I don't know if that's a good idea. I could be done with both at the same time? One hospital said that without LPN experience the VP of nursing there won't even consider hiring someone from Excelsior. So now I'm worried that I have made a huge mistake by doing this. So any advice or suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks
Kim