Excelsior College and CRNA

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2005

I'd just like to say I am an EC grad and proud. I agree that not everyone would have a good outcome from this program, but after 19 years of being an LPN - this was an ideal situation for me. I've seen some RN's coming out of traditional programs that scared the heck out of me. I passed NCLEX w/ 75 questions in 40 minutes, have seen some traditional students fail repeatedly. I think it all comes down to each persons own motivation for the kind of nurse they want to be. I will hold my head high that I worked full time, was part time "soccor Mom" and part time student. I wanted it all and I did it all!! :twocents:

robfall · Jul 30, 2005

Actually, we have similar problems with EMS education programs; including an inadequate number of clinical and filed intership spots. Perhaps an accelerated or direct entry program would be an option. Those with previous applicable education and experience could enter into the clinical aspects of existing programs; after demonstrating competencies. I do agree with the other posters who have objected to Excelsior's admission of those who do not have direct, comprehensive patient care responsibilities (MA's, surgical techs, etc.) and a signifcant level of experience.

Paramedic practice, in my limited view, appears to closely follow the models and practices of nursing. Nursing obviously has a broader base of knowledge and more holistic focus.

chansonsrna · Jul 30, 2005

First, I apologize in advance for the very long post.

I must say first and foremost, I am not a paramedic, but have the utmost respect for them having worked in an emergency room for 3 years. I also don't want to see any kind of a war of words started by people of Nurse vs Paramedics. Additionally I feel that online education, is good for some people. I will not argue against the quality of an online program for the right person, with the right experience as opposed to a standardized nursing program. However all the aforementioned is not the information you should be looking for if you want to improve your chances of getting into CRNA school. That being said I can appreciate your desire to become a CRNA Dean, and would like to possibly bring up a couple of points.

Have you talked to any representatives of CRNA schools in your area, I am sure that you know that to be a CRNA you must have 1 year of Critical Care experience. I am only guessing, but I imagine that these programs will only accept actual nursing experience. I am not saying that being a paramedic doesn't require critical care skills, as I said I am just assuming schools will require it so it would warrant checking.

When you do get your nursing degree do you have contacts/nursing managers you are certain will hire you in the critical care setting?

Have you shadowed any CRNAs?...of the 4 schools I interviewed every one of them asked this.

Many schools look at sacrifice (even in the eyes of a 60k/yr job) as a display of desire to obtain goals.

I guess my advice that I'm getting to is to bite the bullet, go to a standard nursing school, work in an ER as a paramedic if this is an option, or in a hospital as a tech, to build a network of connections (CRNAs, Nursing managers esp for good solid references), work as a staff nurse after graduation and apply to school.

Dean if you have any questions feel free to PM me, I wish you the best of luck in achieving your goal in any route you take to reach it.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 30, 2005

Just a thought; several people have posted their opinions an what is/is not taught in paramedic school, as well as its applicability to nursing. How many of you have actually attended a paramedic program or practiced in the field? While there are differences in the scope and focus of these two fields; they seem to share common basic knowledge, skills, talents and though processes.

Whether those of us here agree or disagree with you here, it's a moot point as far as CRNA program requirements are concerned. They want a specific type of prior nursing experience. Working as a paramedic/firefighter throughout nursing school will not fulfill that requirement. Say if I as a nurse decided that I wanted to be fire chief, and I got all the education I needed to be considered for the job, but worked as a nurse the whole time I was going to school and spent no time in a fire dept. Do you think I'd be qualified to be chief, or do you think I should spend some time as a firefighter first?

Silly hypothesis, I know...

Sheri257 · Jul 30, 2005

Say if I as a nurse decided that I wanted to be fire chief, and I got all the education I needed to be considered for the job, but worked as a nurse the whole time I was going to school and spent no time in a fire dept. Do you think I'd be qualified to be chief, or do you think I should spend some time as a firefighter first?

Excellent point.

:yelclap:

jenniek · Jul 31, 2005

You are probably right. It wasn't even an issue for me, just that I was on track to graduate this past May.

Jennie

NLN certification doesn't matter that much. Excelsior is NLN certified yet, that still didn't do them much good in Calfiornia.
As far as online RN-BSN programs, I think it depends on whether the school is known as "online" or not. There have been posts on this forum where people have said some CRNA schools frown upon University of Phoenix RN-BSN programs, despite the fact that it's accredited in most states ... because it's known as an online school.
On the other hand, the California State University system, for example, now has online RN-BSN programs at two of their schools. But, I seriously doubt a CRNA school would know whether a student took it online or not, and they probably wouldn't even ask about it since CSU is known as a traditional school.
So ... therein lies the difference, I think, when one is considering possible CRNA school acceptance issues with "online" schools.

robfall · Aug 1, 2005

(LOL) Actually, it's a good simile. I agree that time spent providing bedside care would be an absolute before going on to a specialty education program. Also; I apologize for hijacking Dean's thread.