Fl non-LPN Excelsior students

resqyou35 · Jul 25, 2007

I recieved the now dreaded letter from Excelsior telling me about the FL BON's sudden change TWO DAYS before my NCLEX (which I passed!!). I too was told the same thing when researching whether to do Excelsior. Hey Florida, why the sudden change? I have contacted Excelsior and they said that they are trying to resolve the matter with FL. I have been a Firefighter/Paramedic for 10 years. I have also worked in hospitals as an ER Tech. I have made many contacts with nursing directors at several different hopitals. I was told that when I finished I would have a job waiting for me, but now everything is on hold. I will be applying at the VA hospital but since there are none in my general area it will be a 30 -40 mile drive plus it is going to take a lot more time to start working then if I had just been able to endorse. I also plan on calling Mr. Garcia and writing. Hopefully this can all be resolved quickly.

mondragon · Jul 25, 2007

Please do call Rick Garcia and get in contact with Fl state representatives ,the more they hear from us the more likely they will follow thru in a timely manner. I have emailed 5 Fl senators today and I am not finished. Many students enrolled in Excelsior after Fl BON informed us they would accept licensure endorsement, it is unreasonable to change the rules and inforce them on current students who have invested their time and money , and add the fact that EC is accredited.They have endorsed in the past so what is different now ?

Dabuggy · Jul 29, 2007

Wow, I would think you guys should be grandfathered in. I would talk with an attorney and ask if they can help. It may cost a few dollars in legal fees, but may save you a lot of money. Attorneys have a way of wording things that can be in your favor. I wish you guys the best, because this is just not right.

And just when I was going to leave my program because of some changes they have made and go to EC.

Dabuggy

mondragon · Jul 29, 2007

Dabuggy, thanks for the support. I am not giving up, I am writing to several Fl. legislatures in regards to this. Fl. Bon informed students that it was the practice of Fl BON to accept non-LPN's on the basis of licensure by endorsement , which has been the process since 2000, and they should have to follow thru with endorsement. Rick Garcia said the policy was misinterrpted by the previous Ex. Director & Fl. BON staff , they are still accountable in my opinion. I think Rick Garcia is the one who has missed something, that is called " being accountable " .

Ronnie22 · Jul 30, 2007

I would also like to ask anyone on the board reading this message to post if you know a nurse that is an Excelsior grad, and took the NCLEX for Florida, and is currently working in that state.

It seems the Florida BON is interpreting the rule different because Mr. Garcia is the new Executive Director. Mr. Garcia says Florida has always had this interpretation of Florida nursing statute, but after talking to Excelsior, this is a new rule.

This is very important to Excelsior students that live in the state, and those planning on working there.

Thanks

Fl BON has recently made a decision regarding non-LPN students enrolled in the Excelsior nursing program, they will no longer accept licensure endorsement, you will have to practice in another state for 2 yrs. or can only practice in Fl at a federal facility for 2 yrs. then seek endorsement. Before I enrolled with EC I called Fl BON and they informed me they accept endorsement, now they are changing the rules which affects all non-LPN students REGARDLESS of the fact if you enrolled in EC when they did accept endorsement. I am emailing and calling Fl. BON Director Rick Garcia @ [email protected] or 850-245-4158 and other Fl. legistrators and I encourage other students to also do the same. I'm sure that I am not the only non-LPN who entered the program when FL BON informed students that Fl would accept licensure endorsement. To inforce this new decision on currently enrolled students is unfair. EC nursing program is accredited. I am encouraging other Fl non-LPN students to follow thru, email or call your representatives. You enrolled in the program based on the Fl BON regulations at that time and they should still apply.

resqyou35 · Jul 30, 2007

I know of at least two people that are Excelsior grads that routinely look at the threads here. One is a "moderator". Both were also Paramedics and had "no problem" recently endorsing into Florida withing the past couple of years. I have already sent E-mails followed by regular mail letters to my State Reps and my congress man.

mondragon · Jul 30, 2007

resqyou35, I have met EC non-LPN grad's also who had no problem with endorsement into Fl. So licensure by endorsement has been the practice of Fl BON. Here is another person to contact in regards to endorsement, Sr.Assistant Attorney General, Lee Ann Gustafson, 850-414-3300, or email, [email protected]. I emailed her and I have emailed other state rep's. The Fl BON informed many people it was their practice to endorse the license of non-LPN's and that is their past history since 2000.

Ronnie22 · Jul 31, 2007

Thanks for the email...I searched online prior to sending my email to Mr. Garcia today, but didn't find the link you sent...

Thanks

resqyou35, I have met EC non-LPN grad's also who had no problem with endorsement into Fl. So licensure by endorsement has been the practice of Fl BON. Here is another person to contact in regards to endorsement, Sr.Assistant Attorney General, Lee Ann Gustafson, 850-414-3300, or email, [email protected]. I emailed her and I have emailed other state rep's. The Fl BON informed many people it was their practice to endorse the license of non-LPN's and that is their past history since 2000.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2007

I know of at least two people that are Excelsior grads that routinely look at the threads here. One is a "moderator". Both were also Paramedics and had "no problem" recently endorsing into Florida withing the past couple of years. I have already sent E-mails followed by regular mail letters to my State Reps and my congress man.

Resqyou,

I'm the EC grad on staff here, but I'm licensed only in Texas and I was an EMT-Intermediate on admission to EC (back when they used to allow that). Just didn't want anyone to get confused.

I have written about the FL non-LPN policy before, at least as they have been applying it until now. It's a little silly, IMHO. Not qualified for initial licensure, but if they go apply for a license in another state, they're qualified to apply for endorsement without working a single day? Why make people jump through the hoops (and foot the bill) for licensure in a jurisdiction where they'll likely never work?

mondragon · Jul 31, 2007

resqyou, Lee Ann Gustafson is the senior assistant attorney general of florida, what I posted is her email not a link, sorry for the confusion. [email protected]

resqyou35 · Jul 31, 2007

Thanks Mondragon for the link. I fired off mutiple e-mails yestarday. Please, any current and past grads in Florida, get fired up and started being heard. I was told by Excelsior there are a little over 200 people enrolled that this change is affecting. Anybody that was a Paramedic graduate that went throught the endrosement route please send me a private message.

Thanks!!