Excelsior College nonLPN grads wrking in FL

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I am a nursing student enrolled in Excelsior colleges AS nursing program and am currently 5 tests from finishing their program. I recently received a letter from the school stating that the FL BON has changed their practice of granting endorsement or licensure to non LPN grads, stating grads must work for 2 years in another state or a federal facility. I have contacted the new Dirctor of the FL BON and he states that this is not a new change, that this has been the practice of the Board since 1996. When I called the BON before enrolling in the Excelsior program in 2004, I was told there were no stipulations, and have been told by several other students that they were told the same information. We are currently trying to get this changed or at least a grandfather clause for those of us who are so close to completion. We are also trying to locate any Excelsior RN grads (nonLPN) who are currently licensed in the state of Florida to discuss how their endorsement /licensure was handled. Please contact me if you would like to get involved in this fight, or if you are or you know a RN working in Florida that graduated from Excelsior. Thanks...

I am one of those students too, I called Fl BON several times prior to enrolling in 2004 and was told Excelsior was accepted, to apply for license in another state then endorse into Fl, all of this came from the people who answer Q's at Fl BON and they all said the same thing, so they all had the same understanding of Fl BON's Stipulation. Now Rick Garcia understands it differently. We all acted on their information and now it is causing us a great hardship. We just have to keep telling our Legislatives what we were told by Fl BON and how this is causing us hardship.

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I have written to all my reps in my districts, and only got one response from Mr Justice, which was more like a form letter. I replied again and haveent heard another word from him. None of the others have responded at all. I am so beyond frustrated with this!! I took NC2 this Saturday and passed with a B, but it was kind of a bittersweet feeling.

I am one of those students too, I called Fl BON several times prior to enrolling in 2004 and was told Excelsior was accepted, to apply for license in another state then endorse into Fl, all of this came from the people who answer Q's at Fl BON and they all said the same thing, so they all had the same understanding of Fl BON's Stipulation. Now Rick Garcia understands it differently. We all acted on their information and now it is causing us a great hardship. We just have to keep telling our Legislatives what we were told by Fl BON and how this is causing us hardship.
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I have found the ex-director of BON Dr.Coble. He is working in Tampa at a University and I would like to call him and request to meet with him. Anyone interested in coming with me when this happens? I havent called yet, will wait for any replies and then see when would work best for everyone. Rick Garcia is back in his office, rude as ever. Says Excelsior has not requested to be put on the agenda for October yet, they have until the 28th.

I am one of those students too, I called Fl BON several times prior to enrolling in 2004 and was told Excelsior was accepted, to apply for license in another state then endorse into Fl, all of this came from the people who answer Q's at Fl BON and they all said the same thing, so they all had the same understanding of Fl BON's Stipulation. Now Rick Garcia understands it differently. We all acted on their information and now it is causing us a great hardship. We just have to keep telling our Legislatives what we were told by Fl BON and how this is causing us hardship.
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Here's another communication from Garcia...If I have knowledge of anyone receiving endorsement in Florida that was a nonLPN graduate of Excelsior, it is my duty to report this person for investigation as per Florida state statutes 464.018 (1a) and 456.072 (h). You can view these statutes at www.flsenate.gov/statutes I replied that under no circumstances would I put anyones license in question/jeopardy because of what the prior director did.

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I say Rick Garcia is full of it.

Here's another communication from Garcia...If I have knowledge of anyone receiving endorsement in Florida that was a nonLPN graduate of Excelsior, it is my duty to report this person for investigation as per Florida state statutes 464.018 (1a) and 456.072 (h). You can view these statutes at www.flsenate.gov/statutes I replied that under no circumstances would I put anyones license in question/jeopardy because of what the prior director did.
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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i have been following this thread and wanted to wish all of you luck...

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Specializes in Peds stepdown ICU.
i have been following this thread and wanted to wish all of you luck...

i wish you luck too! i graduated from the program and took boards in florida in 2005...but i was an lpn. when i started the program in 2002 my husband and i checked into this prior to me starting. it was to my understanding that if you were not an lpn you could not get licensed in florida (unless it was before a certain date). the qoute i am pasting below is the same qoute that was on the board of nursing back in 2002 and is still there today(i just copied it from there right now). as i understand it, you must be an lpn--that is how i understood it then. while i don't agree entirely with this decision--it is in black and white on their site (to get licensed you must be an lpn first...says nothing about endorsement or 2 years work outside fl-- it just says to be licensed period you must have been an lpn)....here it is:

q: can i apply for a nursing license in florida if i graduated from regents (excelsior) college?

a: licensed practical nurses who had integrated clinical and theory in their practical nursing program, and subsequently graduated from regents (excelsior) college, may apply for licensure in florida. non-lpns may apply only if they were enrolled in the regents (excelsior) college program on or before august 10, 1994.

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Are you saying this was on the BON website back in 2002? The website was recently updated and I wondered if it was added. If thats what was on the website, why were they giving different information on the phone? Anyways, thanks for the good wishes!

I wish you luck too! I graduated from the program and took boards in Florida in 2005...but I was an LPN. When I started the program in 2002 my husband and I checked into this prior to me starting. It was to my understanding that if you were not an LPN you could not get licensed in Florida (unless it was before a certain date). The qoute I am pasting below is the same qoute that was on the board of nursing back in 2002 and is still there today(I just copied it from there right now). As I understand it, you must be an LPN--that is how I understood it then. While I don't agree entirely with this decision--it is in black and white on their site (to get licensed you must be an LPN first...says nothing about endorsement or 2 years work outside Fl-- it just says to be LICENSED period you must have been an LPN)....here it is:

Q: Can I apply for a nursing license in Florida if I graduated from Regents (Excelsior) College?

A: Licensed Practical Nurses who had integrated clinical and theory in their practical nursing program, and subsequently graduated from Regents (Excelsior) College, may apply for licensure in Florida. Non-LPNs may apply only if they were enrolled in the Regents (Excelsior) College program on or before August 10, 1994.

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Specializes in Peds stepdown ICU.
Are you saying this was on the BON website back in 2002? The website was recently updated and I wondered if it was added. If thats what was on the website, why were they giving different information on the phone? Anyways, thanks for the good wishes!

YES this was on their website in 2002...the very same Q and A...and you can still find it there today under frequently asked questions and answers. When I decided to do the program back in 2002 I checked into everything and read everything on the boards web site. I don't know why they told you otherwise because it has been in black and white for some time....and for a fact since 2002. Maybe they were being less strict on their own policy earlier and endorsing people in BUT have since decided to stick to their policy....I do believe that enforcement of the rules and changes are greatly affected by how different board members view alternative learning. Keep us posted! What does EC say about this whole situation?

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I did make contact with the ex-director of BON and will be meeting with him in Tampa next week. If anyone else is interested in coming along for the meeting, he is more than willing to talk and share what he knows and help in any way he can. A Rick Garcia he is not =) Send me a PM if you want more information on this meeting. Thanks.

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Way to go surgtech! I know all the efforts will pay off, hopefully sooner than later.

I did make contact with the ex-director of BON and will be meeting with him in Tampa next week. If anyone else is interested in coming along for the meeting, he is more than willing to talk and share what he knows and help in any way he can. A Rick Garcia he is not =) Send me a PM if you want more information on this meeting. Thanks.
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Specializes in NP / USAFR Flight Nurse.
I did make contact with the ex-director of BON and will be meeting with him in Tampa next week. If anyone else is interested in coming along for the meeting, he is more than willing to talk and share what he knows and help in any way he can. A Rick Garcia he is not =) Send me a PM if you want more information on this meeting. Thanks.

I was just mentioning this to Ronnie...maybe you could try and set up something with "Newschannel 8 on your side" too. I know they do a lot of consumer protection stories and would most likely get involved. It always helps to have the media involved. Make Garcia put his money where his mouth is...

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