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:
One more confusing thing: Maryland does not allow licensure by exam or endorsement for any EC grad that finished after 12/31/2007, and I just graduated in August. However, Maryland is a compact state, and my Virginia nursing license plainly says "multi-state privileges" on it. So if I were to continue to live in Virginia and work in Maryland (I'm not far from Maryland where I live), would I be able to do that? Not that I want to do so ... I'm just curious.
Exactly Lisa. This is something I pointed out long ago, and technically by the compact rules, you are qualified to practice in Maryland, which is good on the face. But, the bad side is this is one of the reasons that states like mine (Luisiana) refuse to join the compact. The fear of "unqualified" nurses getting in. But, the way that I look at it is the fact that all RNs today take the same Nclex; as long as those students have graduated from a regionally/NLN/CCNE accredited nursing program, that is approved BY IT"S OWN state board, there should be no problem.
I would bet Georgia, California, Maryland, or Virginia, would get in quite a huff if NYS BON started arrbitrarily, denying lisensure to graduates of one their state approved schools. Hmm, maybe they should.
Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.
When was the last thing any BON did that was evidence based in terms of POLICY? Nursing, like many professions, is all about politics. Politics, politics, politics. It has never been about what is best for the patient, it is about what is best for the profession. In case there is any doubt: The two are not the same, and no, what is best for nursing doesn’t always work out to benefit the patient. Let’s look at nursing’s “biggest” problem: the nursing shortage.
Many acknowledge (nurses and non-nurses) the shortage of nurses as being perhaps the greatest challenge of our present as well as future. Adjectives like critical,serious, and life threatening are often used. We have told the public that their lives and the lives of their loved ones are in danger, and because the public trusts us (remember, nursing is one of the most trusted professions), they believe it. I believe it. Yet, among ourselves however we seem to only take steps to make it harder and harder to become a registered nurse. I sometimes think we make it harder and harder to remain one as well. Then we congratulate ourselves as we raise (so we think) the bar higher and higher.
But what do we add when we make things harder? More bedside related science? Newp. More skills training during initial RN training? Rarely, and even then only if the school wants to fork out 50,000 dollars for a patient simulator. Let me be clear about this: I am a bedside, patient driven nurse. I think that theory and research are important, but let us leave that education for the masters and doctorate programs.
You want to hear a hypothesis? How about this: a paramedic, with any amount of experience, new grad or 10 years plus, working in the role as nurse, will have NO deleterious effect on patient outcomes given the following: the paramedic is assigned a preceptor and allowed to go through an organized, monitored new grad program with all of the same opportunities as any other new grad nurse. Some of you laugh. Well check this out (LunahRN, this is for you):
Virginia (yes the state that is not allowing EC anymore) had before it as recently as last year (Jan 07) Virginia Senate Bill, SB 1324. What does that bill state you ask? It states that a paramedic will be allowed to work in role that calls for an RN. GASP. SWOON. It seems some paramedic had the audacity to think he could perform patient care as well as an RN (the nerve of some people). It was not passed, but it could come up again. It will come up again. Why did it not make it? The good ol’ VNA. They believe that paramedics and RNs are not swappable. What did they cite as evidence? Nothing. Nada. Zip. You know, they are just sayin’….
Now hear me: I am not saying a paramedic can waltz in off the street and succeed as an RN. I am not saying that at all, but given the same on the job opportunities as a new grad RN. They will have the same success rates (actually I believe they would be higher). If you want, bump my original hypothesis up one notch. Offer a ONE semester course that would cover: the history of nursing (Gotta know Flo), the, heh heh, nursing process, and some basic theory, nursing diagnoses. Make it a 5 hour credit, one semester course. Plenty of time to cover that material. Again, I am comparing this test “subject” to a new grad associates degree nurse.
I don’t mean to ignore the many, many, highly competent and skilled LPNs on this board…you guys ROCK! But, as a paramedic and a RN that has only worked in busy environments, I am sooo tired of RNs who left the bedside long ago and are now making policy that sometimes does not benefit patients or bedside nurses.
When was the last thing any BON did that was evidence based in terms of POLICY? Nursing, like many professions, is all about politics. Politics, politics, politics. It has never been about what is best for the patient, it is about what is best for the profession. In case there is any doubt: The two are not the same, and no, what is best for nursing doesn't always work out to benefit the patient. Let's look at nursing's "biggest" problem: the nursing shortage.
Many acknowledge (nurses and non-nurses) the shortage of nurses as being perhaps the greatest challenge of our present as well as future. Adjectives like critical,serious, and life threatening are often used. We have told the public that their lives and the lives of their loved ones are in danger, and because the public trusts us (remember, nursing is one of the most trusted professions), they believe it. I believe it. Yet, among ourselves however we seem to only take steps to make it harder and harder to become a registered nurse. I sometimes think we make it harder and harder to remain one as well. Then we congratulate ourselves as we raise (so we think) the bar higher and higher.
But what do we add when we make things harder? More bedside related science? Newp. More skills training during initial RN training? Rarely, and even then only if the school wants to fork out 50,000 dollars for a patient simulator. Let me be clear about this: I am a bedside, patient driven nurse. I think that theory and research are important, but let us leave that education for the masters and doctorate programs.
You want to hear a hypothesis? How about this: a paramedic, with any amount of experience, new grad or 10 years plus, working in the role as nurse, will have NO deleterious effect on patient outcomes given the following: the paramedic is assigned a preceptor and allowed to go through an organized, monitored new grad program with all of the same opportunities as any other new grad nurse. Some of you laugh. Well check this out (LunahRN, this is for you):
Virginia (yes the state that is not allowing EC anymore) had before it as recently as last year (Jan 07) Virginia Senate Bill, SB 1324. What does that bill state you ask? It states that a paramedic will be allowed to work in role that calls for an RN. GASP. SWOON. It seems some paramedic had the audacity to think he could perform patient care as well as an RN (the nerve of some people). It was not passed, but it could come up again. It will come up again. Why did it not make it? The good ol' VNA. They believe that paramedics and RNs are not swappable. What did they cite as evidence? Nothing. Nada. Zip. You know, they are just sayin'....
Now hear me: I am not saying a paramedic can waltz in off the street and succeed as an RN. I am not saying that at all, but given the same on the job opportunities as a new grad RN. They will have the same success rates (actually I believe they would be higher). If you want, bump my original hypothesis up one notch. Offer a ONE semester course that would cover: the history of nursing (Gotta know Flo), the, heh heh, nursing process, and some basic theory, nursing diagnoses. Make it a 5 hour credit, one semester course. Plenty of time to cover that material. Again, I am comparing this test "subject" to a new grad associates degree nurse.
I don't mean to ignore the many, many, highly competent and skilled LPNs on this board...you guys ROCK! But, as a paramedic and a RN that has only worked in busy environments, I am sooo tired of RNs who left the bedside long ago and are now making policy that sometimes does not benefit patients or bedside nurses.
Ivan, my friend -- as always, you make way too much sense. And thank you for that tidbit of information -- very interesting.
Like you, I don't believe that any paramedic can walk in and just be a nurse overnight; medics that assume that "I can do just what an RN does with no additional training" are ignorant of the RN's education. But medics can be good nurses, too, given the opportunity and training. I'm doing very well in my precepted role (got the glowing probationary eval to prove it, woo hoo!), but would I have wanted to be off orientation in just days? Heck no. Do I think the Paramedic and RN roles are totally interchangeable? No. But one does enhance and augment the other. And personally, I think being a Paramedic makes me a stronger RN, and vice-versa.
I thought it was interesting that the community college where I got my AAS in Emergency Medical Technologies (my medic degree, yo) offered a one-semester RN-to-Paramedic bridge. I submit that there really isn't such a huge gap in the RN and Paramedic educations, especially now that so many medics also earn a degree along with the NREMT-P.
Good Morning, I just called excelsior college to find out the outcome of Friday's meeting. The lady I spoke to said they should be coming out with a statement later today. She said to check your email later or call back at the end of today no later than Tuesday evening. I asked her if she knew anything she said she doesn't even know she has to wait until later as well. If anyone hears please post. Hopefully they are reconsidering...that will motivate me to continue to take test......
I have a collegue that is on the education committee. I do not think there was any decision made and the issue will be taken up again next month by the education committee. They said the committee members were very worried about the students currently enrolled, near finished or graduated. There are several items to be discussed. One of the main issues was how we just study the text and then test out and another issue is the lack of precepted clinicals. Personally, I would be happy to do some clinicals in lieu of the CPNE. But, we will just have to wait and see. I am also happy to move out of Georgia if need be.
I have a collegue that is on the education committee. I do not think there was any decision made and the issue will be taken up again next month by the education committee. They said the committee members were very worried about the students currently enrolled, near finished or graduated. There are several items to be discussed. One of the main issues was how we just study the text and then test out and another issue is the lack of precepted clinicals. Personally, I would be happy to do some clinicals in lieu of the CPNE. But, we will just have to wait and see. I am also happy to move out of Georgia if need be.
It still amazes me how this type of learning has been acceptable for so many years; however, now it is no longer sufficient. It goes to show you how anything can be distorted in order to push an agenda.
I didn't say it was right or wrong. I just laid out the issues at hand. I'm almost finished and really just want to get it over with come what may.
I haven't accused you of saying anything was right or wrong. I'm talking about the whole situation and what we are being put through. Every one wants to lay blame. The board blames EC; EC blames the board. I don't care who started it or who is at fault; I as well as other EC students and grads just want a final decision.
I agree at this time I think more than anything we all just want a definitive answer. At this point I have been CPNE eligible for 3 months but holding off because what is the point if I can't practice in the state I live!
Just curious, for those who are EC students and live in GA, have you talked with your local state senator or congress people about how the situation is decreasing their constituents access to health care and will do nothing but increase the nursing shortage? I wonder if their is a grassroots gig that could start to enact legislation which would include statute that provides Law that the GA BON must accept EC grads.
You are truly in limbo; as for me I'm only half way finished and would like to know at this point or sometime in the near future what the fall out will be. I don't like wasting time and the sooner we find out something will mean the sooner that I can work on my requirements for ISU if needed.
. 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.
And thank you for that tidbit of information -- very interesting.
FocusRN
868 Posts
Exactly Lisa. This is something I pointed out long ago, and technically by the compact rules, you are qualified to practice in Maryland, which is good on the face. But, the bad side is this is one of the reasons that states like mine (Luisiana) refuse to join the compact. The fear of "unqualified" nurses getting in. But, the way that I look at it is the fact that all RNs today take the same Nclex; as long as those students have graduated from a regionally/NLN/CCNE accredited nursing program, that is approved BY IT"S OWN state board, there should be no problem.
I would bet Georgia, California, Maryland, or Virginia, would get in quite a huff if NYS BON started arrbitrarily, denying lisensure to graduates of one their state approved schools. Hmm, maybe they should.