I aM floored. I just received notice from GA Board of Nursing that they denied the endorsement of my MN RN license because I did not meet clinical practice requirements . When I called the board, they transferred me to a their Legal Nurse Consultant who stated that effective July 1, 2008 GA would no longer endorse RN license from Excelsior College students with no previous RN experience. She suggested that I go to my licensed state and work for a while then try again, but she could not give me a time frame.
Has anyone else experienced this. I thought we should at least have gotten some sort of notice/warning before this type of rule be adopted by the board. I am going to file a motion for reconsideration using an Attorney. Before I entered Excelsiors program I called GA Board to verify acceptance. I had been accepted to a traditional LPN to RN bridge program; I could have been almost finished their too. I am so sad right now. I have been crying for two days. I think I will need to see my doctor for Zoloft.
I have been an LPN for over 13 years doing Med/Surg for at least 10. I work on a hospital unit right now. THIS IS SO UNFAIR!!!:banghead:
My purpose for posting is not to engage in public or private dispute with any EC student, legal representatives, GABON, GNA or EC for that matter. I have expressed my views, opinions and facts as they have been presented to me, just as so many others have.
So far as the options for RN licensure for any EC graduate in GA, yes there are many. Reality dictates that GA may not be an option for those of us who reside here in GA to be licensed and work here. So should this become a blockade for us? The answer is no. I too have a family, am a parent, a wife and professional healthcare provider in GA, but I know that a RN licensure is the american express gold card for my future. I know that this is what I have worked so hard to achieve. I am certain that when cooler heads prevail, the students affected will through strength, courage and wisdom make this work. I don't expect that anyone directly affected will just say forget it and never practice as an RN or continue to sit (however long this process will take) and wait while this legal battle continues to wage.
We must remain focused and positive, and let the facts speak. How is it that all of the other state BON's informed EC prior to enacting any legislature that would adversly affect their students, but the GABON didn't? It is very difficult for me to digest this. I am by no means advocating for the GABON or EC, but only the students who are affected. We are our voice, we are now our first line of defense. Every student should be seeking their own legal counsel and gathering all applicable documents, because in the end this is about you (and me) !!
And yes, I firmly stand by the fact that any public bashing of the GABON or any other legislative authority will only hurt us. We need licensure by endorsement, and that is the bottom line. The message which is posted on the GABON website addresses the unprofessional methods that have been implemented since the beginning of this fiasco. It embarrasses me to be known as an EC nursing student and then have the nursing school I have boasted of attending be caught up in this legal mess. I would not be surprised if the board relseases documents detailing that yes EC was informed and no actions were taken to ensure that we would be licensed in GA.
I also wonder why the OP never posted this on the EC EPN as opposed to this site. What lies in the dark must come to light. Whether is is the fault of student(s) lying on their application for endorsement, or EC not disclosing this critical information to the students affected, or EC not incorporating the 250 precepted clinical hours, or the GABON acting without notice, the truth will come to light.
There are too many neighboring states and the Veterans Administration where we can be licensed and work as RN's. Through strength, courage and wisdom I will be a RN practicing in my chosen profession!! I am preparing to do what it takes to show my dedication and determination to become a successful RN! What about you?
Dream Nurse2b stated: "I'm in Louisiana but my feeling on this, is that for the legislation to make sense, the board will have to retroactively take licenses from those who have already been licensed in GA, after all what is the difference between an EC student trying to get the license on January 2, 2008, and one trying to get theirs on July 2,2008?"
The difference, according to the BON, is that it was perfectly legal for EC grads to endorse before July 1, 2008; now they say it isn't.
"I'm in Louisiana but my feeling on this, is that for the legislation to make sense, the board will have to retroactively take licenses from those who have already been licensed in GA, after all what is the difference between an EC student trying to get the license on January 2, 2008, and one trying to get theirs on July 2,2008?"
The difference, according to the BON, is that it was perfectly legal for EC grads to endorse before July 1, 2008.
It was obvious (I hope), that I wasn't speaking about the theoretical bureaucratic difference on paper. I am speaking of the real life difference that would make the July 2, 2008 nurses pose more "harm" to patients than the January 2, 2008 group of nurses. Period.
Bureaucratic bull, and not evidence of EC nurses posing harm to patients because of a "lack of clinical hours", is the driving force behind this. And the sooner Americans stop accepting, falling for, and being tolerant of it the better off we'll all be.
I agree with you, strengthcouragewisdom, that we must take a very high professional road in all of our dealings with GBON, EC and our legislators. I also think that attacking new traditional RN grads is not helpful. We all know how it is out there and we were all new nurses at one time.
HOWEVER, the GBON has sections on their web site entitled Board Rules and Proposed Rules. To this MINUTE, there is nothing posted in either section that indicates that their rules for licensure by endorsement have changed or that there are any potential changes in the near future. I assumed that this was an accurate source of information and SCOURED the language of the rules before paying one dime to EC. The fact that there is no indication of a change in policy forthcoming and knowing many EC graduates who have had no problems receiving their licensure by endorsement in GA, I proceeded in good faith. I feel that the GBON knew exactly what they were doing and acted in a stealthy manner to accomplish disenfranchising EC grads with no warning. This change in the law was buried in a bill that appeared to be primarily about fingerprinting new licensees. I think that the goal of the Sept. meeting has to be very sharply focused on negotiating some compromise (grandfathering) to facilitate those of us near program completion. We can't work for EC's future in GA; they will have to do that for themselves.
The goal of the meeting should focus on negotiating a compromise for all enrolled not just those near completion. We all have money and time invested in EC.
Sorry Dream Nurse2b, I did not detect your sarcasm when I first read your post. I'll try harder next time!:wink2:
Regarding how GA may handle the situation for those students that were enrolled before July 1, 2008, here is how California handled a very similar situation in 2003. I found this on the CA BRN website. I'm sure you all have probably already seen it, but I'm posting it anyway just in case! I remember this happening, as I enrolled at EC at the end of November 2003, so there was lots of talk about it. Many people were in the same situation as recent GA EC grads and currently enrolled students are right now.
Per the California BRN regarding EC grads: "Excelsior College graduates, like other out-of-state graduates, must meet the requirements set forth in California Business and Professions Code Section 2736, including supervised clinical practice concurrent with theory, in order to be eligible for examination and licensure as a California registered nurse. This eligibility requirement applies to students who enrolled at Excelsior on or after December 6, 2003."
What does this mean less stringent !!! Anyone can interrupt this however they like.
My main purpose for this post, is to ask all of you to please start calling the different news channels. I want this situation exposed to the masses.
1. WSBtv Channel 2 clark howard- NOTE: Clark Howard cannot be reached personally by e-mail, fax or phone. For consumer advice, please call the Consumer Action Center at 404.892.8227 weekdays between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
2. I team reporter, Randy travis fox5 news 404-875-5555 e-mail [email protected]
3. channel 11 news 11alive investigator tip line 404-892-1611
Please join me and calling these different stations and more!! Let's make all aware of this injustice that is happening. I want as many tv reports as we can get in Macon in September covering this story.
If its really true about the clinical hours being the problem, Then if we get the clinical hours problem should be solved, RIGHT. I don't think its that simple at all. I think the right person hands aren't being greased. What ever the case its deeper then just The clinical s.
What does this mean less stringent !!! Anyone can interrupt this however they like.
My main purpose for this post, is to ask all of you to please start calling the different news channels. I want this situation exposed to the masses.
1. WSBtv Channel 2 clark howard- NOTE: Clark Howard cannot be reached personally by e-mail, fax or phone. For consumer advice, please call the Consumer Action Center at 404.892.8227 weekdays between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
2. I team reporter, Randy travis fox5 news 404-875-5555 e-mail [email protected]
3. channel 11 news 11alive investigator tip line 404-892-1611
Please join me and calling these different stations and more!! Let's make all aware of this injustice that is happening. I want as many tv reports as we can get in Macon in September covering this story.
If its really true about the clinical hours being the problem, Then if we get the clinical hours problem should be solved, RIGHT. I don't think its that simple at all. I think the right person hands aren't being greased. What ever the case its deeper then just The clinical s.
I hate to say this, but personally I'd rather not have the media there. Knowing how things can be presented and how little time they would have to report this, I'd be fraid of how EC would end up looking. It'g going to be hard, but logic and thoughfullness needs to rule here, not emotion. When we' let emotion take control, we're more apt to say something stupid.
The basic educational concept we're talking about here is prob above most of the people watching the 6 O'clock news. At least when it's shown in 30 sec or less. All they are going to see is that we took a test and that was it.
i want the most eloquent speaker, armed with the best research and presentation material.
THE THREADS CONCERNIG GA STUDENTS ARE BEING HEARD EVERYWHERE I GO, IT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE ON THE GREAT IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE, I APLLIED FOR A JOB THE OTHER DAY (IN ATL.) AND GUESS WHAT I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT HALF OF THE NURSES THAT I SEEN AND TALKED TO COMPLETED EC, DO THIS MEAN THAT THEY ARE UNDER SKILLED WORKERS?
I also wonder why the OP never posted this on the EC EPN as opposed to this site. What lies in the dark must come to light. Whether is is the fault of student(s) lying on their application for endorsement, or EC not disclosing this critical information to the students affected, or EC not incorporating the 250 precepted clinical hours, or the GABON acting without notice, the truth will come to light.
I am not sure if you all have followed this post from the beginning, but the truth is when my wife first posted news on these changes, no one wanted to believe it and basically called her a liar. The spirit of many posters was very insulting. Likewise when she notified Excelsior the reception was even worst; no one wanted to hear the truth. She called the Dean of Nursing, Bridgette Nettleton at Excelsior College several times and left several messages and the Dean NEVER even bothered to return her call (this was a month ago and her letter to the students is dated Aug. 5th). She called the SPAC and GNA and spoke with several officials but Ms. Hatmaker told her that the information she was spreading was not true. When she did attempt to put the information on the Excelsior Web site it was blocked. She WAS attempting to warn others but she was not well received.
As for the reasons that this is happening; it is most likely due to the growing number of unapproved nursing schools that have opened up in the Atlanta area, especially Cobb County, GA....the location where the author of house bill 1041 lives. Recently there was a big expose and write up in the news paper about Advance Medical Institute. They were running an LPN and RN program and charging tens of thousand of dollars only to have their students rejected for licensure or have license revoked after issued. Many were licensed through the state of VA also;thus VA BON too is undergoing changes to reject Excelsior and other distant learning grads. The owner of this school was acting as a satellite office for an accredited institution in Jamaica and managed to bribe an employee there to falsify transcripts for it's graduates. It has been a big to do around metro Atlanta.
I don't think individuals lying on nursing applications would have anything to do with Excelsiors entire student body being denied a license. Maybe that is the reason they will now start fingerprinting candidates. And I think it is only fair.There are a lot of nurses who answer no to questions of arrest and convictions and are lying. I think they should also include it for nurses getting license renewals and the LPN Boards as well. It has long been the practice of GA to only do criminal checks in the state of GA. That means you could be a serious felon in IL, or CA and have a clean record in GA. It made no since to me at all. However they will really need to brace for an even greater nursing shortage after that. People are human and subject to make mistakes...especially in their youth.
It is projected by the US Department of labor that by the year 2020 there will be a shortage of over 800,000 nurses. If the BON and State Governments continue to enact legislation to narrow the number of qualified candidates for nursing. Our healthcare cost will be unaffordable because nursing salaries will go through the roof. It is as simple a concept as supply and demand.
Specializes in CHPLN- Cert. hospice/palliative care LPN.
]Hi TOLDYOUSO,
]
]I am an EC student in VA and I have been researching the issue ever since I was informed a few weeks ago about the VA BON's legislation to no longer accepting EC graduates by NCLEX-RN exam OR endorsement. I am sorry your wife did not get a response back from EC's dean. I have been corresponding with EC's assistant dean, am working to "organize the troops" and will be making a public comment at the next VA BON meeting in Sept., where the EC assistant dean will also be present.
]
]The most disturbing thing I have come across in my reasearch is that the driving force behind individual state BON's moving in this legislative direction is coming from the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing). I spoke with a representative of the NCSBN who "gleefully" confirmed this. They are encouraging ALL state BON's to create this legislation. This fight is bigger than VA or GA... it's a national fight. The reference you made about the estimated increase of the nursing shortage by 2020 is spot on, and the reason why all of us need to lobby to ammend this legislative trend.
. When I called the board, they transferred me to a their Legal Nurse Consultant who stated that effective July 1, 2008 GA would no longer endorse RN license from Excelsior College students with no previous RN experience. She suggested that I go to my licensed state and work for a while then try again, but she could not give me a time frame.
strengthcouragewisdm
51 Posts
My purpose for posting is not to engage in public or private dispute with any EC student, legal representatives, GABON, GNA or EC for that matter. I have expressed my views, opinions and facts as they have been presented to me, just as so many others have.
So far as the options for RN licensure for any EC graduate in GA, yes there are many. Reality dictates that GA may not be an option for those of us who reside here in GA to be licensed and work here. So should this become a blockade for us? The answer is no. I too have a family, am a parent, a wife and professional healthcare provider in GA, but I know that a RN licensure is the american express gold card for my future. I know that this is what I have worked so hard to achieve. I am certain that when cooler heads prevail, the students affected will through strength, courage and wisdom make this work. I don't expect that anyone directly affected will just say forget it and never practice as an RN or continue to sit (however long this process will take) and wait while this legal battle continues to wage.
We must remain focused and positive, and let the facts speak. How is it that all of the other state BON's informed EC prior to enacting any legislature that would adversly affect their students, but the GABON didn't? It is very difficult for me to digest this. I am by no means advocating for the GABON or EC, but only the students who are affected. We are our voice, we are now our first line of defense. Every student should be seeking their own legal counsel and gathering all applicable documents, because in the end this is about you (and me) !!
And yes, I firmly stand by the fact that any public bashing of the GABON or any other legislative authority will only hurt us. We need licensure by endorsement, and that is the bottom line. The message which is posted on the GABON website addresses the unprofessional methods that have been implemented since the beginning of this fiasco. It embarrasses me to be known as an EC nursing student and then have the nursing school I have boasted of attending be caught up in this legal mess. I would not be surprised if the board relseases documents detailing that yes EC was informed and no actions were taken to ensure that we would be licensed in GA.
I also wonder why the OP never posted this on the EC EPN as opposed to this site. What lies in the dark must come to light. Whether is is the fault of student(s) lying on their application for endorsement, or EC not disclosing this critical information to the students affected, or EC not incorporating the 250 precepted clinical hours, or the GABON acting without notice, the truth will come to light.
There are too many neighboring states and the Veterans Administration where we can be licensed and work as RN's. Through strength, courage and wisdom I will be a RN practicing in my chosen profession!! I am preparing to do what it takes to show my dedication and determination to become a successful RN! What about you?