Excelsior Grads working in TN???

NurseGrape3000 · May 10, 2011

I'd love to hear about this too - I'm in Nashville and about half way through the program. :)

nursesmack · May 10, 2011

Hey NurseGrape! How do you like the program? I am pretty sure I am going to start in the next couple of months...

NurseGrape3000 · May 10, 2011

I LOVE it. It's inexpensive, and you have a lot of freedom. You must be disciplined, however, good at finding your own resources and doing your own research.

It's taking me a little longer than expected, but I am at home with 2 kids 5 and under, have no family in town, my husband works out of state, and we can't really afford sitters. So for me, finding the time has been a challenge.

But, I really like that it's a do it or don't situation - you have to take charge of your education and excel to be successful, you are definitely not spoon fed! There is, though, a lot of support online, and EC has been wonderful to deal with - they are very very helpful.

Once I finish this program, I will continue with Excelsior to my BSN as well.

Nikapooh · May 15, 2011

I am considering starting in August. I have heard good things. The only thing that makes e nervous is the clinical skills 3 day at the end and I feel that way most likely cause I am a new grad.

NurseGrape3000 · May 15, 2011

Makes everyone nervous I'm sure!

I'm an LPN but I worked one year and haven't worked in 5 years.. so I'm there too. I feel like a new grad still.

There is lots you can do to prepare, though. I'm looking at doing some volunteering or job shadowing, I'll be going back to work a little, there are online workshops, in person workshops, videos to buy, videos on youtube, equipment/material you can buy to practice with..

I'm not going to lie.. I'm still nervous about it.. but there's a lot out there to help you!

Murse901, MSN, RN · May 18, 2011

I'm an Excelsior grad (graduated November last year). I currently work full-time in the ED in a large hospital system and part-time in the ED for a smaller county hospital in Arkansas. I've also had job offers for a rehab hospital, and two offers for The Med (Level I trauma center in Memphis), one in the ED and one in trauma ICU. Didn't take either offer at The Med because I've run across waaaayyy too many nurses who hate the environment there, but it's supposed to be excellent experience.

I haven't had a single interviewer question my education. They're pretty much just interested in whether or not my license is good.

spooky.spider · Jun 16, 2011

One of the main nurse managers at the University of TN medical hospital said that they DO hire excelsior grads!:)

nursemomma11 · Jun 25, 2011

I am a Tennessean who is on the last leg of the journey through Excelsior. I take my CPNE at Grady on July 8th. I actually started the program straight out of LPN school in 04 and hit at it a bit here and there for about 2 years (I was more focused on working at the time). Then became so disgusted with the medical field in general I quit everything and have been at home the past 4 1/2 years. I picked back up at the end of last year and breezed right through my remaining requirements. I feel stupid for not just finishing it up when I had the chance. I was at the point I am today, 4 1/2 years ago when I gave up. To the one above who is worried about experience, don't be. It will work to your favor when it comes time for the CPNE. You have to perform every little detail of every procedure the Excelsior way or else. I would have major problems if I had a set way of doing things. I have an excellent memory, once it's there-it's there, but once I get set doing it a certain way, I can't hardly change it. I'm actually glad for my limited experience when it comes to this CPNE. The Excelsior way is the only way I know how, just about.

It doesn't seem that employers have a big problem at all with you being an Excelsior grad. I have interviewed for several LPN positions in the past 6 or 8 months (by the way, no one wants to hire an LPN that's about to get their RN because they don't want to train you then turn around and replace you; figured that out finally) and if anything they are extremely curious about the program. None of them seem that they wouldn't hire you because of it being an at home program. As for me, I would not have went to a traditional college for my RN, fitting life and work around their schedule would have never worked out. So, if not for Excelsior I wouldn't have had a chance. Best of luck to all of you!

Oh, oh, oh....I must mention this for those who are just beginning or haven't started yet, DO NOT use an outside program for study materials such as Rue, TCN, etc. unless you are very confident that you will not make yourself study and do well on your own. This is my own opinion and my own experience, and is not meant to slander anyone who chooses to use outside sources, or the outside sources themselves. They are incredibly expensive and are not as beneficial as they may sound. The first two years in the program, I used an outside source. This last time around, I used nothing but Excelsior. I actually made better grades on my own. You know your style of learning better than anyone else. All I am saying is, to make a very well thought out decision before you dive off into a program outside of Excelsior. I sure wish I had that $$$$ back from before, I would have used it on this clinical :)

nursemomma11 · Jun 25, 2011

Oh yeah, I should have mentioned before that my general disgust from 4 1/2 years ago was really my own fault. I had this whole Florence Nightingale idea in my mind and how things were going to go in my job, that just didn't work out. You simply cannot do all for your patient that you feel is necessary. You also simply cannot control whether your co-worker is going to give, even half-way decent care to their patients. It took this long to realize that I am going to be a great nurse whether anyone around me is or not. I will also give all I've got in the short amount of time given and that is the best I can do.

nursesmack · Jun 25, 2011

Thanks so much for the info! I am getting ready to start!! Excited!

NurseGrape3000 · Jul 2, 2011

BTW, I noticed recently that Vanderbilt hires EC grads. On their website, follow to find out info on their new grad residency program. They picture the new RNs that have previously gotten in.. and a handful of them are from EC!!!!