Excelsior

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Who has attended excelsior? Did anyone consider it and decide against it? Why/why not?

the fact that a few BONs won't accept the program worries me, but it sounds like such a great option for adult learners, particularly those of us with kids and full time jobs.

Opinions?

Specializes in oncology.
3 hours ago, katherine100 said:

The excelsior of today is different. You don't get clinical time, don't get to see a variety of patients, have to do all test outs one way, etc. It's sub par when compared to what a school does. 

Yes, Katherine, Excelsior is not a traditional school. It values an adult learner who can search out what they need to learn based on the outcomes the school provides. I really enjoy this type of learning but many who have only been educated in a traditional model do not

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
On 5/6/2021 at 11:20 AM, londonflo said:

Yes, Katherine, Excelsior is not a traditional school. It values an adult learner who can search out what they need to learn based on the outcomes the school provides. I really enjoy this type of learning but many who have only been educated in a traditional model do not

Spot on. I think a lot of people go into the program with misconceptions that it's fast and easy, just some check-offs for an upgrade. I learned a ton while I was a student because I knew that I had to! No regrets about being an Excelsior graduate, but I don't recommend it to everyone. 

1 Votes
Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
24 minutes ago, Pixie.RN said:

Spot on. I think a lot of people go into the program with misconceptions that it's fast and easy, just some check-offs for an upgrade. I learned a ton while I was a student because I knew that I had to! No regrets about being an Excelsior graduate, but I don't recommend it to everyone. 

I disagree. One can be an adult learner and choose a place with actual practicums. It's not the fact that's it distance. It's the way the cpne is and how outdated done info is. You had a good time there. That was your experience.

3 hours ago, katherine100 said:

I disagree. One can be an adult learner and choose a place with actual practicums. It's not the fact that's it distance. It's the way the cpne is and how outdated done info is. You had a good time there. That was your experience.

But isn't the point that Excelsior is for people whose employment is such that they don't NEED practicums?  It's not really about being an adult learner. I came to nursing as a career change in my 30s, and I went through a traditional university because I wasn't already in health care, and I needed the school to provide the practicums. Excelsior was not even a consideration for me, despite being an adult learner.

I started following this thread because I know an EMT who was looking for a non-traditional program; she wants to become a nurse, but can't stop working to go back to a conventional school. From what I've gathered, Excelsior wouldn't be a good fit for her because she would need more practicum experience than her EMT role provides. Nonetheless, I can see how other people in full-time paramedic or LPN roles could get enough hands-on experience to be prepared to become RNs.

As for the test, I think all of us have had professors who insist something must be done ONE particular way to get credit, even if there are multiple valid options. You do what that professor wants on that professor's test to show that you can, and then you are free to use other valid techniques in your own professional practice.  I really don't see how that's different from what Excelsior is asking.

2 Votes
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
21 hours ago, katherine100 said:

I disagree. One can be an adult learner and choose a place with actual practicums. It's not the fact that's it distance. It's the way the cpne is and how outdated done info is. You had a good time there. That was your experience.

LOL, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "good time." And certainly being an adult learner means that you can choose to not attend a school if you don't like the curriculum. There is no longer a CPNE for new enrollees, it'll be interesting to see how their clinicals develop. 

1 Votes
Specializes in oncology.
1 hour ago, Pixie.RN said:

And certainly being an adult learner means that you can choose to not attend a school if you don't like the curriculum.

I know this is not in Excelsior's wheelhouse but I wish there was more versatility in nursing education. 

I was kind of day dreaming. but I thought about potential nursing students in my agrarian area. Agriculture is one of our main occupations but having quite a lot of  financial problems.  In many couples who farm, the wife works as a nurse for health insurance etc. But it is hard getting to that! Wouldn't it be great if farming areas had a program for women/men to go to school/study/do clinical during the non-farming months?  They would be available to work the Winter months or fill in when nurses' call in!

2 Votes
Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
2 hours ago, Pixie.RN said:

 

18 minutes ago, londonflo said:

I know this is not in Excelsior's wheelhouse but I wish there was more versatility in nursing education. 

I was kind of day dreaming. but I thought about potential nursing students in my agrarian area. Agriculture is one of our main occupations but having quite a lot of  financial problems.  In many couples who farm, the wife works as a nurse for health insurance etc. But it is hard getting to that! Wouldn't it be great if farming areas had a program for women/men to go to school/study/do clinical during the non-farming months?  They would be available to work the Winter months or fill in when nurses' call in!

L, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "good time." And certainly being an adult learner means that you can choose to not attend a school if you don't like the curriculum. There is no longer a CPNE for new enrollees, it'll be interesting to see how their clinicals develop.

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There are different types of adult learners.

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