excelsior grads

ivanh3 · Jun 6, 2008

Ron134, first a couple of questions:

1) What were you before? (LPN, EMT, paramedic)

2) Where did you work before (ambulance, ER tech, nursing home, hospital)

3) What area do you want to work in?

Let's start with that.

Ivan (EC grad)

laronda134 · Jun 6, 2008

I was an LPN with only LTC experience. I applied for rehab and med surg, intermediate care, senoir care. I have never worked in a hospital, but I am very eager to learn.

ivanh3 · Jun 6, 2008

Then, I would do a few things. First study for and get all of your AHA stuff: CPR, ACLS, even PALS. I recommend get your AHA instructor certs if you can. At least for CPR. ACLS, PALS, and instructor certs look great on a resume (I assume CPR is a must). Also, you might have to get a year in before you can get the job you want. Are you working as an RN now? Maybe were you were working as an LPN.

Something else to consider: Go to the most beat down busy underfunded hospital you can find, even if you have to commute. Often these places have good new grad programs and are more open when it comes to hiring policies.

Hope this helps,

Ivan

Melinurse · Jun 10, 2008

On resume, include you are an independent thinker who is creative. These are great nursing skills. We EC grads had to be creative in our studies and resourcing for our education and skills aquisition. We have to be independent in order to set our own deadlines for course completion. This is how I got my job. :yeah: You just have to " fight " for it.:argue: Let them know you are a fighter and that is how you'll fight for your patients too. Focus on your ability to overcome hardships and difficulties. I would not have my job if I took no for an answer the first time.:chuckle Be proud that you have the skills to be your own self-motivator, creative, independent, and someone who passed the CPNE.

gradyrn2b08 · Jun 16, 2008

AWESOME DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WE AS EC STUDENTS HAVE AS EXTRA SKILLS. I WILL REMEMBER THIS ONE I HAVE PASSED THE BOARDS:up: YOU NAILED IT!!!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 16, 2008

Now that I am a GN as of this afternoon, I can say that I already have a job offer to continue as an RN in the ED where I work now! :) They are very accepting of EC grads in my area of Virginia. I already have a lot of certs, because I'm a paramedic, too ... ACLS, BLS, BTLS (now ITLS), PALS, etc. Oh, and I signed up for a cool thing in January -- ABLS! Advanced Burn Life Support. Neato!

Melinurse · Jun 16, 2008

Glad to hear you passed, Lunah! It's a tough test of our skills. Even those who are prepared and are good nurses already don't always make it first try. I'm still waiting for EC to mail in my paperwork for the State Boards, so I'm still after 2 months practicing as an LPN. Does anybody else have trouble getting EC to e-mail them in a timely manner, post graduation? Even my hospital has been calling them about it and I work at a test site. :banghead: Anyhow, didn't mean to get off topic:offtopic:. Topic is great job on passing. :yeah:

NC Girl BSN · Jun 16, 2008

Glad to hear you passed, Lunah! It's a tough test of our skills. Even those who are prepared and are good nurses already don't always make it first try. I'm still waiting for EC to mail in my paperwork for the State Boards, so I'm still after 2 months practicing as an LPN. Does anybody else have trouble getting EC to e-mail them in a timely manner, post graduation? Even my hospital has been calling them about it and I work at a test site. Anyhow, didn't mean to get off topic:offtopic:. Topic is great job on passing.

Seriously, its been two months and nothing. That is insane! I still have the CPNE, Micro, the 3 fCC's and info lit. I better get crackin on the Micro and Info lit. The FCC won't be available till Fall 08.

Mudwoman · Jun 16, 2008

I'm an EC grad and I'm at St Joe in Hot Springs. I had no problems getting a job at all. Maybe you need to explain that EC has very high standards, and you had to have a lot of perserverance and dedication to get through this program. The EC web site has lots of info too that maybe you need to show possible employers.

I'm now working on my BSN thru EC. Let possible employers know that the Arkansas State BON accepts EC and so does UAMS for their BSN and Master's programs including their Nurse Practitioner programs.

You need to be more proud that you made it through this program. Lots of people try and never make it. You did. Flaunt that.

Charlee

Melinurse · Jun 16, 2008

Seriously, I am proud to have made it through the EC program, but I feel I'm still having to squabble with EC just to get them to fill out 1 form that Wisconsin requires. State already has cashed my check and has the rest of my application. I e-mailed EC again today and faxed for the 4th time the form. Yes, I did get confirmation from EC that they received each of the forms but still they have not mailed it to the State. Just wondering if this is because of volume or is this common? Anybody else have a wait after finishing CPNE? I'm not sure if I should be :angryfire or if I should :crying2: . Anyhow, I'll just be greatful I am still employeed. :banghead:

Mudwoman · Jun 16, 2008

Seriously, I am proud to have made it through the EC program, but I feel I'm still having to squabble with EC just to get them to fill out 1 form that Wisconsin requires. State already has cashed my check and has the rest of my application. I e-mailed EC again today and faxed for the 4th time the form. Yes, I did get confirmation from EC that they received each of the forms but still they have not mailed it to the State. Just wondering if this is because of volume or is this common? Anybody else have a wait after finishing CPNE? I'm not sure if I should be :angryfire or if I should . Anyhow, I'll just be greatful I am still employeed.

How long ago did you complete CPNE? I did CPNE in mid March 2007. It took 2 months for everything to get to my state board of nursing. I got my temp RN license May 23 2007. If you read the information from EC, they tell you that it takes a minimum of 6 weeks to process everything.