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:
To Mary Anna please wake up and enter the real world.I am a registered respiratory therapists who after many years of experience decided to go back to school. Nurses will never take over doing the respiratory treatments and please believe that we do more than that and have excellent critical thinking skills. As an RRT who has worked in many diffrent facilities in the Atlanta area and seeing many nursing graduates I was truly not impressed with their skills. If the standards of Excelsiors College program is so low then why is it a desginated center of excellence by the NLN? Is there a program in Georgia that is a center of excellence?
Ok, I do have to respond to the ignorance spouted off my Mary Anna. I am never one to sit and not say something esp. about the part of people not waiting to start their family etc... Look, I went straight into traditional school out of high school with a double bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Worked in that field for five years-went up the ladder at my job all the way to the top but was completely bored sitting behing a desk all day, not challenging anymore. My husband beautiful man that he is convinced me to go back to school to find something that would make my life more meaningful, more challenging and die with a legacy of helping my fellow man. I took all the needed prereqs. microbiology, A and P etc... at a traditional college getting 4.0 in all the classes except Chem. with a 3.6. (So, don't say we don't have the grades for your traditional programs) The waiting list was over a year to get into the RN program so a fellow classmate taking micro. with me advised me that she was going to go for her LPN first so she could start the next quarter without waiting a year. I didn't want to wait another year just to start so I enrolled and have been working as an LPN starting with fragile infants w/ trach. care, dialysis care, wound care, tube feedings etc... and now working in a SNF where I am one of the supervisors. I can tell you I have supervised wonderful nurses both LPN's and RN's and then had some questionable ones. I have had to actually teach RN's simple skills such as taking out staples, mixing insulins etc... that have come from the "traditional program" so this talk that we don't have proper skills because we didn't attend your traditional program is just simply false. I think people like Mary Anna like to make statements and ruffle feathers to make themselves feel more important and higher up and in the end you are only hurting patients who need nurses like us that are intelligent, caring and experienced. She is probably the same nurse that creates the divisions at work between all the healthcare workers and gives everyone a hard time. Her arrogance will only destroy the goodness and unity among healthcare workers and in the end patients suffer and if that is what she wants as her legacy so be it.
Upon reading the post by the highly educated super student, I began to pound at my key board in opposition. I have since decided not to dignify her opinion with a response. I believe my time and effort are better spent concentrating on the law makers.
Would that be "highly educated super student also known as Dee Keeton"? I am not even obliged to answer to her ignorance because those who think they know everything about everything are the ones that don't know anything. Obviously lacking in common sense and I am not inclined to stoop to her petty level. Fyi, critical thinking isn't something that can be taught; it's learned through personal experience and trial and error.
Thank you for your comments, and congratulations on your good grade in professional issues. I am happy to see the victims of this very unfortunate turn of events have helped you earn your grade.
I can appreciate your elitist attitude toward EC grads. You are obviously very young and inexperienced, and from the looks of it, unable to think critically and for yourself.
While your elitist, snobbish attitude probably goes over very well with your nsg instructors, in the real world you will soon find out, the hard way; you will be chewed up. spit out, and left to sit with your holier-than-thou opinions.
I am sorry to be so crass, but I have been exactly where you are today. I hope you will learn to open your mind and seek evidence to support why you fel such animosity towards EC graduates.
Okay, now back to real business..... Did anyone reach the BON or the attorney generals office today? I never got a return call from the "person who knows" at the AG's office.
Well, this is what we're up against. I have no ill will towards the poster. I simply ask that they open their minds, and spend a little time researching the program before you judge it based on misinformation that has been spread by Cooper and now Keeton.
Place yourself in the shoes of these recent EC grads. What if those same clueless state bureaucrats passed an unwarranted negative judgment on the school that you are attending, along with its students. To make it worse, those same bureaucrats used outright lies as the basis for their argument, science be damned, and questioned your ability to practice safely, all without an ounce of truth. Even spreading those untruths thoughout the Atlanta media. Would you not expect the rest of the nursing community to make an informed decision regarding how we felt about the situation? Would you not want the rest of the nursing community to rally to your cause if you were right? I feel that I would have a professional responsibility to determine the facts, especially before I was so bold as to make disparaging remarks that I attempted to disguise as scholarly debate.
The info is there. Check out Excelsior's and the NLN's sites. Compare stats to figures you find on the GA Secretary of State's site. Talk to some EC grads. Heck, PM me if you would like some accurate information.
As for future educational opportunities, I've had no problems, and neither have any others that I know that have become CRNAs, nurse managers, NPs, and educators. I was accepted at Mercer for the BSN, and was then welcomed at Emory (after a very competitive admissions process, I might add) for graduate study. I have no complaints with the opportunities I've been given, but I sincerely thank you for your concern for our professional well-being.
Look, I went straight into traditional school out of high school with a double bachelor's degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Worked in that field for five years-went up the ladder at my job all the way to the top but was completely bored sitting behing a desk all day, not challenging anymore. My husband beautiful man that he is convinced me to go back to school to find something that would make my life more meaningful, more challenging and die with a legacy of helping my fellow man.
Hey babs, I was a graphic designer for 15 years! Then I became a paramedic just to volunteer, got tired of being a desk jockey, took a massive pay cut and went to work in an ER ... the rest is history! My husband was also very supportive, too, even in the face of a 50% pay cut.
Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.
the american spirit of free speech which founded out nation is alive and well in georgia.
freedom of speech, yes. freedom of choice, no. at least not when it comes to choosing a tried and tested (psst...that's what evidenced based means...) school.
overall the nursing students in my discussions have been concerned by your inability to enroll in and complete existing nursing programs in the state of georgia.
i don't think i have ever read a more elitist statement in my life. shame on you. really. when you do your clinicals can you actually see the patients from up that high?
another discussion we have had centers on choices.
more of the judgment thing. who exactly are you again, that you are in a situation to judge someones motivations? are ya ordained? walk on water? i would settle for someone with any experience other than a "patient simulator".
clinical expertise is another concern of my focus group. we currently have over 600 hours of clinical experiences in campus skills lab, high tech simulation labs and with actual patients in a variety of acute care and clinical settings. you may feel that a two day clinical check off is enough to prepare you for a career in nursing but it truly is a patient safety concern.
again, where are your figures/facts/diagrams/power points with this information that you are (not) citing? little secret. if your ego is truly that big, i can tell you for a fact that you couldn't dust the boots of most of the ec students here in georgia. really. these guys are hard working people who have been helping real (not simulated) people for years. they eat humble pie every day because of elitist, ignorant people like you telling them they are a danger to society and that their choices/motivations do not meet your expectations. where is your compassion? you know patients really like compassion right? yet you do this without a single shred of significant evidence. i will ask again: show us that ec students have a statistically significant higher rate of poor patient outcomes. or...just shut up and let the grown ups talk.
the topic of legal issues was also discussed. we feel that over 600 of hours of clinical experience are more beneficial in obtaining desired legal outcomes than a two day checkoff.
???? what? desired legal outcome? uh this is all nurses .com. legal outcomes occur with trials. did you mean patient outcomes or did you get that from your simulated teacher?
lpn and paramedic clinical experiences are task focused. the overall coordination of care delivery is ultimately delivered by registered professional nurses.
please tell me that you are either an lpn or a paramedic. please. guess you have never seen an rn with the deer caught in the headlights look who was saved by a paramedic or lpn. sure i have seen the opposite as well. wonder what conclusions i could draw from that?
the nclex-rn is a test specifically designed to measure entry level competency. the structured orientation and emersion into the role of the professional nurse may prove to be a challenge for individuals who do not have a broad educational experience.
thank you. at last. some truth. score one for you. oh wait. we do pass at higher than national averages for the nclex. we do successfully complete our new grad programs. ouch. you almost had it.
the georgia board of nursing is our regulation body. as we prepare for graduation and completion of our georgia board of nursing applications and person-vue nclex-rn testing we would request that you please allow us to process our applications and then resume your protest. we too have loans to repay, jobs awaiting us and many life plans to get on with such as a starting a career and family.
or..or..you could get off of your high horse, come out of the clouds and stand with us. if integrity and honor mean anything to you.
you may want to continue sending your money to gna but our group discussion felt this was unethical to take money from your vulnerable population of individuals who do not have adequate financial resources. upon graduation we do not expect to join this organization because it does not truly represent the same values and professional attributes as our profession.
represents mine, and i am a nurse. go figure.
all in all you should consider advancing your career and applying to a georgia approved nursing school and join us in elevating the nursing education standards in georgia. thanks for posting your thoughts on this open forum. they have proved very valuable for discussions in my class and have helped me obtain an excellent grade on my professional issues paper. mary anna
glad you could elevate yourself on the backs of these guys who are emotional train wrecks because people like you who refuse to look at evidence (you know there were no dinosaurs 6000 years ago right?) even though you claim to be part of profession that prides itself on evidence based practice.
again, i say shame on you. you have been lurking around this site, using this information for a school project without any consideration for what these ec students are going through. i am always up for a good discussion, and if any your kind would bring something intelligent and tangible to the table i would say scold away. but you haven't, and i suspect you won't because you have the upper hand politically and you don't need to. pat yourselves on the back. i am sure you and your simulated friends will be fine.
And Mary Anna, I am also a Respiratory Therapist who wanted to better herself and have more responsibility in health care. I also have no children at this time but waited for good sense reasons. I went to respiratory school right out of high school and obtained my registration. I applied and completed EC program in September 2008, with no warning or knowledge that this law was going to be passed. The CPNE is a very difficult exam to pass in which I passed everything the first time. I also passed the NCLEX with 79 questions and actually have a license through Minnesotta. I am much vested in my current hospital right now and don't want to leave. I do have a position waiting on me in June, for pediatrics. The nursing recruited said that what ever floor I decide to work on, they will be grateful to have me with all the experience I will bring.
Please get informed about this program and don't throw judgements against fellow nurses. ALL nurses should united, to make this specific situation right for EC students. Lets get those who graduated and those who are working toward their degree a chance to work.
Also, I am currently a BSN Chamberlain College of Nursing Student!!
BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!!!!! ALL OF YOU!!!!! :yeah: :yeah:
Since Mary Anna is so used to having things handed to her on a silver platter, then it should be of no surprise to her to see her rear-end being served up to her on one!
Well done!! I love you guys!!
And, Mary Anna? Do me a favor: If I am ever sick, PLEASE do not be my nurse. I am a REAL PERSON, not simulated, so I may actually bleed, vomit, or poo on your sparkling white shoes, wings and halo. Wouldn't want to tarnish your lily-whiteness.
Plus, I'd rather have my nurses' feet planted firmly on the ground (like any one of the fine nurses on here), not hovering three feet off the ground, as you seem to be.
Step aside and let you get your license before me? AS IF! I was a Critical Care Registered Nurse, in charge of entire ICU's, while you were probably attending your high school Junior Prom!
Have you passed your boards yet? I passed mine, on the first try, in twenty three minutes and made top 3% in the country! BEAT THAT, POLLY ANNA!
Finally, with your crass attitude, using the sore backs of the oppressed to make your fabulous grade and make yourself look better to the leading elitists? I see no compassion in you. Within you does not beat the heart of a nurse. Go find a different playground in which to lurk.
. 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.
Then I became a paramedic just to volunteer, got tired of being a desk jockey, took a massive pay cut and went to work in an ER ... the rest is history! 
I am assuming just as feisty too!
:yeah:
gemini79
71 Posts
To Mary Anna please wake up and enter the real world.I am a registered respiratory therapists who after many years of experience decided to go back to school. Nurses will never take over doing the respiratory treatments and please believe that we do more than that and have excellent critical thinking skills. As an RRT who has worked in many diffrent facilities in the Atlanta area and seeing many nursing graduates I was truly not impressed with their skills. If the standards of Excelsiors College program is so low then why is it a desginated center of excellence by the NLN? Is there a program in Georgia that is a center of excellence?