Excelsior College

[navyprincess]

I applied to Excelsior College and was informed that they are looking at my state license to see if I qualify to take the distance learning nursing program. It has been a week since they received all of my information and I was told today that it would be another 3-4 weeks. Is this routine? I also asked about the acceptance of pre-reqs. The admissions counselor told me that they would have everything figured out before I pay the enrollment fee and sign papers, but I was also told by another counselor that you have to pay enrollment before finding out which credits they accept. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

You'll get an "unofficial" evaluation after applying, when they review your transcripts and license (and yes, that timeframe is routine), and you'll get an "official" evaluation when you actually enroll. The reason for the unofficial vs. official is that if there are curriculum changes between the time you apply and the time you actually enroll, you'll be subject to whatever curriculum is in place when you enroll, making the "unofficial" null and void. Not that they're planning any changes, AFAIK; that's just the reasoning.

I'm happy to say that my unofficial and official evaluations were identical -- it wasn't like a bait-and-switch thing at all.

[caliotter3]

I was told it would take 3 to 4 weeks when I applied, and everything was done in just under three weeks. I think 3 or 4 weeks is the norm. Every time there has been an update, I have received the confirmed info back in three weeks or less.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

My official evaluation was better than the first - they waived A&P because my bio sufficed.

:)

[navyprincess]

Thank you for your replies. I am fine with the 3 weeks. I guess the only thing that brought a question to my mind is that they said that they had to "make sure that my license qualifies for their program". Thank you again.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

What kind of license do you hold, and which state are you in?

[Melinurse]

. I agree with the other posts, this is just their routine. What kind of license are we refering to? Anyhoo, good luck.

[Raggedy Ann]

Welcome aboard! Traci

[navyprincess]

thank you all for the welcomes and the information. i apologize for not introducing myself, somewhere along the way, i must have lost my manners (naw, just been really pre-occupied!). i am currently living in south carolina and practicing podiatric medicine out of arizona. my husband is in the navy stationed in goose creek, sc. as for me, i completed medical school and residency and specialized in podiatry. i love my job, but i can only work part time (one to two weekends per month out of az) because of the whole navy thing (we have already been apart sooooo much). it is difficult to get a license in each state that he is stationed in and once the federal positions are filled it is difficult to find a job at a va or military hospital. i am also teaching during the week at a local technical college (anatomy and physiology and medical terminology). anyway, i have been advised by some military personnel to pursue a nursing degree (more mobile). i had to file a letter of appeal to excelsior college (explaining that i have had over 4 years of clinicals in different fields and am current in patient care). i have been accepted to a nursing program in az but would love to have the freedom to stay with my husband (again unable to find a nursing program where he is stationed because of time constraints). i look forward to speaking with each of you during my endeavors at excelsior college. please keep your fingers crossed for me. any suggestions or criticisms would be greatly appreciated!!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

navyprincess, I would imagine that you'll end up accepted. I tested with people who were physicians in their countries of origin, so if you can convince them of enough clinical experience I can't imagine that a doctor of podiatry wouldn't be accepted.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

The biggest caveat with Excelsior is that the degree and accompanying RN isn't accepted in every state -- California, Maryland, Virginia (deadline is soon), and currently Georgia (a bit of a struggle going on there) are states where an EC grad can't easily work as an RN, if at all. If you truly need the flexibility to work anywhere in the U.S., that's just something to keep in mind. There is a pretty good list of states with "issues" here: http://www.istudysmart.com/content.asp?cid=70

The issue these states have with Excelsior is the lack of clinicals concurrent with theory. But with all that being said, let me also say that Excelsior was a fabulous way for me to bridge from Paramedic to RN! :)

[navyprincess]

Lisa,

Thank you. I am confident that I will eventually pursue Excelsior that I can complete the program. I know that the states that my husband could be stationed in (CA, VA, GA) don't accept Excelsior. I have been encouraged that the VA, prison system (not for me), and military hospitals are the way to go in these states. I am curious if many Excelsior graduates actually work in these federal institutions.

Suesquatch,

Thank you for words of encouragement. I was feeling like there was no hope on Friday! I would really like to be able to complete the program from wherever we are stationed after SC. I hope that they will realize that I have quite a bit of clinical background! Good luck to you at the CPNE. By the way, I am from Prescott AZ. And I did my residency at the Phoenix VAMC!