Excelsior

Excelsior WAS an innovative and high quality program back in the day. They got a lot of people thinking about how to do nursing school differently. Which was GREAT!

And then.....well, then they kind of got stuck - resting on their laurels maybe - blinders to other ways to innovate and improve - IDK.

But the fallout is tremendous -. for the school, for the program and most especially for the STUDENTS.

12 hours ago, Pixie.RN said:

Certainly, but the RN will have come from an unaccredited program, which could cause some states to reject licensure. The bigger issue may be furthering one's education.

That's a possibility, and I don't know how we'd figure that out until someone goes through the program and tries to apply for licensure, which seems like a big gamble. For background, I joined this thread because recently a friend posted on facebook looking for online RN programs. I told her there were none in the state, as did several other people. Because she is divorced with 2 kids, she needs to be able to continue to work FT. She was really excited about the idea of Excelsior, and seems to think (well, really, she's just hoping) it will be offered for people from our state again. Currently the state's website still lists Excelsior as a program that doesn't require additional coursework for an RN license, but I have no idea how frequently that's updated, and Excelsior isn't accepting out of state applicants right now.

I don't think furthering her education past RN is really a consideration for her (would start her nursing career in her 50s). Ideally, she wants something that will allow her to do the didactic portion all online and just go to in-person clinicals. I did warn her that Excelsior doesn't really have clinicals; it's sort of DIY for people who already have jobs with lots of clinical hours. I know she's a volunteer firefighter and EMT, but my guess is that's not going to be enough to qualify her. Even if it were enough to get her into the program, I don't know it would really be enough clinical experience to get her prepared to be an actual nurse.

So anyway, I'm trying to be supportive and realistic at the same time. Because my husband supported me when I went full time for my ABSN, I think she sees me as speaking from a place of too much privilege when I tell her that what she wants doesn't currently exist here. She's vowing not to give up.

On 5/31/2020 at 12:21 PM, Pixie.RN said:

That's not entirely correct, they are accepting applicants from several states, but only those that do not require ACEN accreditation: https://www.excelsior.edu/admissions/requirements/nursing-requirements/associate-in-nursing-requirements/state-board/

She would need to be working as an LPN or paramedic to even qualify for the program in the first place. You don't say what level of EMT she is, but volunteer hours may not meet requirements either. There are clinical contact attestations that must be completed by supervisors.

Thank you. It's a bit confusing because while our state is listed as one that allows licensure by examination without additional requirements or stipulations, it is not one that Excelsior is accepting applications from. After digging around on the website, I found a list that shows Excelsior is accepting applications from 21 states. It looks like there are quite a few states in the same situation as ours, so I'm not sure if it's something on Excelsior's end or on the states' end, but it seems odd that a state would allow Excelsior grads to be licensed but Excelsior wouldn't accept applicants from the state.

In regards to my friend, I'm not sure what level EMT she is, but I also have concerns that her EMT hours would not be enough. I'm not sure what goes into the process of clinical attestations, and if some people are willing to stretch or fudge a bit on what the clinical experience entailed. I am most worried that she'd get into the program and then have a hard time finishing because her available clinical experiences wouldn't really match up with what she'd need to do. I just want her to succeed with whatever program she decides to try.

Make sure you check with your individual state BON as I was able to finish my 1000 hours in Washington State when in 2019 they changed the rules on "non-traditional education". I don't know if it still stands, but check your BON's website for up-to-date information. Don't be afraid to contact them either!

I took Excelsior.. it definitely has its pros and cons... I do think the program itself is easy to buzz through. However, CPNE wait time was frustrating.. I passed the CPNE my first try, but it was extremely stressful. 

So happy I went traditional. You will get no clinical time. As most LPN's don't do assessments, things like lungs sounds and seeing real trauma helps alot. Imagine only listening to sounds on a DVD.  Then the CPNE is another issue as small things cause students to fail. There is only one way to do a leg dressing?  The cost of the CPNE is another issue. No. I do not recommend.

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/For-second-time-in-less-than-a-year-Excelsior-13153391.php

When I was an Excelsior evaluator in the early 80s, the whole design for the program was that those LPNs who felt they were already doing what an RN could do, could demonstrate those skills, expertly, completely and thoroughly in a one time meeting with an evaluator. There were workbooks, required readings, textbooks, guidance candidates sought out on their own time, seeking out a platform to practice etc. Time has past and I now see there are CPNE boot camps, internet studies and students demanding a program that was once self study be a handholding, easy program that is accomplished while still working a full time job without any supervised clinical practice. I see so many students on here saying I need an online program that I can do while working FT and with no clinicals. Well, what do those students expect...... If you want to listen to real lung sounds,  a program with clinical practice is what you need to seek out. If you want a program that does not require established  clinicals at all but expects you to be on your game in a one time, window into your practice of skills, an Excelsior program is what you need.

Excelsior only wanted to help those who had developed a good nursing practice through their employment and who sought out learning, were independent learners and valued independent scholarly work. Excelsior was never developed for the majority of learners seeking an ADN.

BTW the article you are citing is old news. Candidates who felt just showing up to a testing station was worthy of a degree, never mind actually knowing their practice arena, sued Excelsior for their own failures and the length of time it would take to retest. 

I appreciate you determined this program was not for you and that was a good decision. Every students needs to truly examine if a program will suit their needs. 

38 minutes ago, katherine100 said:

There is only one way to do a leg dressing?

Of course there are many ways to do a leg dressing. The establishment and  maintenance of a sterile field is an essential objective.  This is what the crux of evaluation depends on.