Hi everyone. I have been doing a lot of research about the Excelsior program. I have a lot of prior medical experience, so I'm not too worried by the fact that there is not a lot of clinical time.
The thing is, I currently live in New York, but plan on moving to California in the next year or two, but see from the boards that CA does not "accept" Excelsior graduates. What does that mean?
I was told (though I may have been giving some wrong information), that once I passed the NYCLEX, I would be able to carry my "RN" with me wherever I go. Will I be able to work in California as an RN if I get my RN through Excelsior?
Lizz is absolutely correct. California will not issue you a permanent license if you got your degree from EC, if you did not meet the cut-off date. You need to submit a full set of transcripts to them before they will issue you the license.
The NCLEX exam is a national exam and is accepted by all states, but just because you pass NCLEX doesn't necessarily grant you a license to practice as an RN. Each state is free to set what ever educational requirmements that they want. Another state cannot dictate to them what they can do or cannot do.
Suzanne4 and Lizz are absolutely correct. I just applied for RN endorsement into California from Florida as an EC grad. When I called the licensure number for the board they said only those that enrolled in EC before Dec. 6, 2003 from the EC program would be eligible to take NCLEX or endorse in. They do require transcripts from the nursing school with the official enrollment date into the EC program. I got this info directly from the Board of Registered Nursing. I made the cut-off date in the nick of time. Be informed prior to applying so you are not wasting your money.
Your NCLEX exam score would transfer and be accepted in all states, as far as the exam goes. However, each state can make their own requirements as to what they will not accept as far as clinical/theory nursing education.
California offers a program for LPNS to do what they call a 30 credit program, you can then sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and get licensed in CA. But you will never be able to transfer that license out of the state because it will not meet the educational requirements of other states.
If someone does the "30 unit option" to be able to get their RN and then does an RN-to-BSN program (either online or traditional), can they then go outside of California?
If someone does the "30 unit option" to be able to get their RN and then does an RN-to-BSN program (either online or traditional), can they then go outside of California?
Thanks,
DL
The 30 unit option means you don't get an associate's degree in nursing. And, without the associate's degree, you can't qualify for an RN-to-BSN program.
So, the answer to your question would be no. You can't get a BSN or go outside of California with the 30 unit option.
The 30 unit option means you don't get an associate's degree in nursing. And, without the associate's degree, you can't qualify for an RN-to-BSN program.
So, the answer to your question would be no. You can't get a BSN or go outside of California with the 30 unit option.
Thanks. I understand that the 30 unit option = no ADN but if a diploma nurse (= no ADN) who is an RN can go through a BSN completion program, I don't understand why someone who did the 30 unit option couldn't.
Because the 30 credit option program is only accepted in CA. You do not meet the requirements as having a Diploma in Nursing. It is a special program geared only to CA.
You need to meet the licensing requirements in the other states. Most programs require that you have a current RN license for that state.
Thanks. I understand that the 30 unit option = no ADN but if a diploma nurse (= no ADN) who is an RN can go through a BSN completion program, I don't understand why someone who did the 30 unit option couldn't.
DL
Because with the 30 unit option you don't "graduate" and receive a degree ... you just get the license. With a diploma program, you still graduate and receive the equivalent of an associate's degree in nursing. The 30 unit option and diploma programs are two different things.
All nursing programs are required to offer the 30 unit option in California but, since the 30 unit option people don't complete all of course work (mostly liberal arts courses) they don't receive the degree whether it's an ADN or a diploma program. Therefore, since you don't have the degree, you can't move on to a bachelor's and/or an out-of-state license, where other states require a nursing degree before they'll license you.
How about this....say you graduate from Excelsior AFTER the deadline, so you can't be licensed, but you go through a BSN program (whether online or in person). Will the state let you get a license if you go through a BSN program after you do the Excelsior thing?
How about this....say you graduate from Excelsior AFTER the deadline, so you can't be licensed, but you go through a BSN program (whether online or in person). Will the state let you get a license if you go through a BSN program after you do the Excelsior thing?
I doubt it. You'd still have to submit your transcripts from Excelsior. The above mentioned statement from the board mentions regulations which require all out-of-state applicants to meet California education requirements. EC doesn't meet those requirements so, I don't see how that changes the situation ... whether you have a bachelor's degree or not. The basic education requirements are still not met either way.
BTW ... it's ok if you graduate after December 6, 2003 as long as you were enrolled by December 6, 2003 to be licensed in California. The key criteria is the enrollment date ... not the graduation date.
Because with the 30 unit option you don't "graduate" and receive a degree ... you just get the license. With a diploma program, you still graduate and receive the equivalent of an associate's degree in nursing. The 30 unit option and diploma programs are two different things.
All nursing programs are required to offer the 30 unit option in California but, since the 30 unit option people don't complete all of course work (mostly liberal arts courses) they don't receive the degree whether it's an ADN or a diploma program. Therefore, since you don't have the degree, you can't move on to a bachelor's and/or an out-of-state license, where other states require a nursing degree before they'll license you.
How about this....say you graduate from Excelsior AFTER the deadline, so you can't be licensed, but you go through a BSN program (whether online or in person). Will the state let you get a license if you go through a BSN program after you do the Excelsior thing?
Unfortunately Lizz is right. The board will not accept original RN licensure based on Excelsior if you did not meet this December 6, 2003 deadline date. I wish there was a way that you could get around this, especially since you are an experienced LPN....but getting BSN won't help because you are basing your original licensure on the EC ADN program. I have hope that maybe the board will reconsider and make it an option for EXPERIENCED LPN's. I totally agree with LIZZ that EC did this to themselves by allowing unqualified individuals in the program. I think you should check into the 30 unit option.
I have hope that maybe the board will reconsider and make it an option for EXPERIENCED LPN's.
I doubt this will happen. During the controversy, EC also tried to get approval for LVN's only, but the board didn't buy it. The reason: EC doesn't meet the state's LVN-to-RN transition requirements. The EC program doesn't include all of the course work and clinicals that are required for the last year of nursing school, which is what LVN's have to take to become RN's. So ... it's unlikely that the state would make EC an option ... even for LVN's.
This really bites. I wasn't wanting to move to California permanently but I'd like to work there a few months out of the year as a travel nurse. I have no idea if I would be allowed to work in California as a transient or not, but I don't like having a branded RN license.
DYatesRN
76 Posts
Suzanne4 and Lizz are absolutely correct. I just applied for RN endorsement into California from Florida as an EC grad. When I called the licensure number for the board they said only those that enrolled in EC before Dec. 6, 2003 from the EC program would be eligible to take NCLEX or endorse in. They do require transcripts from the nursing school with the official enrollment date into the EC program. I got this info directly from the Board of Registered Nursing. I made the cut-off date in the nick of time. Be informed prior to applying so you are not wasting your money.