Concerned about Excelsior across the US!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2008

Apparently there are other states that don't accept Excelsior Grads, from what I heard Illinois, and Maryland are others....Not sure if there are more out there that don't accept the program....But however I do agree that Excelsior has some fine graduates, as I stated in a previous post, I worked with an RN who was an Excelsior grad when it was known as Regents College and she was one of the better and most competent nurses in the facility where I worked at....But at the sametime, if you don't have any clinical experience, I sure don't want you working on me or my family members...If you posess a license, you should have clinical experience in "nursing" before it's granted.....Now I know that Excelsior does require you to be an LVN/LPN, Respiratory Therapy, and some other medical careers are accepted....But there are certain things that only nurses can do that Respiratory Therappists can't do....So therefore, there are some portions that should be required to take, but again, that's every states call....I'm not saying that you should have to do clinicals just because California wants their residents to have clinicals....All I'm saying is to restructure a program....If it works for other states to not have to do clinicals, that's their call and their right....but for the states who seem to have a higher standard in nursing education can follow a different pattern (not affecting the other states who are fine with Excelsiors current curriculum) that would still give them the clinical experience that they want the nursing graduates to have....Then everyone is happy.....Now I have heard that if you've graduted from Excelsior (again, check with the state board in state you wish to practice in for clarification) there is a year where people were grandfathered in....You might get to practice in California if you wish to, I also read on their website that if you don't meet the current California requirements, then you must take the NCLEX if you wish to practice in the state....not sure if that applies to Excelsior grads or just other grads in general.....

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2008

...but for the states who seem to have a higher standard in nursing education can follow a different pattern (not affecting the other states who are fine with Excelsiors current curriculum) that would still give them the clinical experience that they want the nursing graduates to have....

Higher standard?

Different standard.

You can not graduate from Excelsior without demonstrating clinical competence.

If you want to go on-line you can go through Indiana State University and do clinicals. California will accept them. A New York school should not change their already extremely high standards

to accomodate a very small percentage of Luddites.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2008

If Excelsior already has an extremely high standard in nursing education, then why are they not accepted by all states? For California it's the clinical portion...Obviously there is something in the curriculum that isn't sufficient in the eyes of the BON from the states that dont' accept Excelsior grads....I'm not saying change the curriculum in the states that are ok with Excelsiors program....Just have a different option for those states that seem to have a higher standard of nursing education....Obviously those states feel that Excelsior standards aren't high enough to allow their grads to practice nursing in those states....That is the reason why they don't accept their grads....I'm sorry if you don't like my choice of words, but that's just how it is....

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

Higher standard?
Different standard.
You can not graduate from Excelsior without demonstrating clinical competence.
If you want to go on-line you can go through Indiana State University and do clinicals. California will accept them. A New York school should not change their already extremely high standards
to accomodate a very small percentage of Luddites.

I already called Indiana State University because they have a program for LVN-RN....Just the nursing component alone is going to take 3 years to complete, which would mean a 2nd Bachelors for me....I might as well and go to the Cal State System and do their Generic 2nd Bachelors degree since it will take the same amount of time to complete and you don't have to be an LVN for that program.....I would be happy with an ADN degree...There is nothing wrong with ADN/ASN-RN....

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

I already called Indiana State University because they have a program for LVN-RN....Just the nursing component alone is going to take 3 years to complete, which would mean a 2nd Bachelors for me....I might as well and go to the Cal State System and do their Generic 2nd Bachelors degree since it will take the same amount of time to complete and you don't have to be an LVN for that program.....I would be happy with an ADN degree...There is nothing wrong with ADN/ASN-RN....

We agree.

But it is up to Californians to sway their BON to accept Excelsior.

And I wish you luck. I'd be screwed big time if I couldn't do Excelsior.

caliotter3 · Feb 4, 2008

Back in the Ice Age, when Excelsior (Regents) started the nursing program and I first heard about it, there were two states that did not accept Excelsior. I believe one was Louisiana. Lots of things were different then. A person with no healthcare background at all could walk in off the street and go through the program. As long as they could mentally put themselves through the program, they could make it. As the years went by, things changed. Now we have what we have. As far as I'm concerned, nothing should ever have changed. If a person was able to pass the program and become a competent nurse 25 years ago, they should be able to do the same today. As was previously stated, when discussing CA, the problem is the BRN in CA. The problem is not Excelsior and never has been. Excelsior provides a means to produce practicing RNs. Various states, like CA, decide to reject or hogtie these efforts and the efforts of the individuals involved and not remedy the consequences in their own states. If people could easily complete alternative programs or for that matter traditional programs in their own state, there would be no need for programs like Excelsior. Simple as that. There are many potential CA RNs who are not happy with the BRNs decision regarding Excelsior, however that does not give them the power to change any policies.

caliotter3 · Feb 4, 2008

I came close to completing a BSN program in CA and from personal experience I can tell you that I was nowhere near getting my tuition money's worth when it came to clinical experience. The CA BRN has its head in the sand if they think all of us are enamored of the education in CA nursing schools. They would do better to bring CA nursing school standards up to a higher standard than to denigrate a highly successful and respected program that has established and maintains high standards.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2008

I found this on a website, and hope this can help others who are trying to endorce their license in other states....

http://www.istudysmart.com/content.asp?cid=70

psychnurse1998 · Feb 5, 2008

I mean what is excelsior going to do about the requirements that all of these States are requiring of us? Is it going to get to the point where we will be only able to practice in 35 states. This really worry's me! I mean if there is a clinical portion that needs to be done through excelsior I would do it, so that I know I would be able to practice in other state's. I think they need to make some type of clinical portion available in the state that you want to take your boards in or transfer your license too. I feel as though other state's might start following suit with CA, and Maryland.

I think you are right..expecially if the nursing shortage is not as acute in some states. I think the short clinical is one reason EC is not accepted in other states but I am not sure.