Do I need hospital experience with Excelsior

[michelle-new-lpn]

Hello. I am an LPN pursuing my RN through Excelsior. I have worked in an LTC/subacute center for almost 1-1/2 years. I have plenty of experience with foleys, wound treatments, and IV's, and I've done suction a few times, but have no trach or vent experience. We tend to see the same things over and over in my facility.

Have any of you started working in a hospital while pursuing your RN by distance learning just to get the experience? Is it recommended? Does it make a big difference in being able to pass the CPNE. Although I would like the experience, here in northern NJ, LPN's make alot more in LTC/subacute than in hospitals.

Michelle

[pedinurse05]

What is most important is working experience. The program is designed for those working in one of the professions they accept into the program. Some people just get their paramedic or other qualifications without any experience other than what was in their program--and this is where I find fault in the program...but since you have experience it shouldn't be a problem. I had little hospital experience and tons of peds homecare, hospice, adult home care, LTC, and office experience--I did fine. In reality anyone can pass the CPNE. It is very norm referenced and criteria based. Excelsior gives you all the tools to succeed--you give yourself the experience and confidence to practice at a new grad RN level after graduating Excelsior by having experience outside of qualifying profession. Best wishes!

[rninme]

I am not an EC grad so I am not real familiar with their program. According to some of the posts on here, your real-life experience is your clinical experience. I don't think there is a differentiation between hospital, LTC, or pre-hospital experience. There are a couple of threads here on the distance learning/independent study forum that talk about EC...you might find some help there from current students and EC grads. I do know from reading posts, that you have to pass a CPNE (?) at the end of a class....some have referred to it as the ninth-gate of hell....others have said it wasn't as horrible as they had heard. Whatever your choice of nursing schools....good luck to you!