GA excelsior grads what did you do after graduation

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Quick question,

For those grads who finished after the new law was passed in regards to non traditional nursing education. How did you apply for licensure in ga? Did you move from GA?Did you work at the VA? Did you do the preceptorship?

Lots of people asking me PM and i went and got licensed in MN. I think this will help others. I am only interested in those who graduated after the law changed that live in GA.

Thank you ;)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Quick question,For those grads who finished after the new law was passed in regards to non traditional nursing education. How did you apply for licensure in ga? Did you move from GA?Did you work at the VA? Did you do the preceptorship?Lots of people asking me PM and i went and got licensed in MN. I think this will help others. I am only interested in those who graduated after the law changed that live in GA.Thank you ;)
I stayed, proved my clinical experience, got my license, and reported to the same job that I held as an LPN...only as an RN. No preceptorship hours. I know one nurse who had begun her preceptorship and didn't need to go through that after Georgia revised the law which now directs those hours to LPNs whose only clinical experience is night shift at a long term care facility and those with very limited-to-no clinical experience (other specifics apply as well). She chose to follow through with the hours because she said it was just easier for her to complete the hours as opposed to stopping and going through the hassle of the paperwork again. The board reviews each nurse's background on a case by case basis so I think everyone should scrutinize the website and speak in depth and in person with their licensing analysts. That's what I did. And taking the time to GO to the office instead of accepting vague phone calls and cold emails, really worked in my favor.
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Wow!!! that is sooo good to know!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

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I live in Atlanta... My conferral date from Excelsior Lpn to RN program was Nov. 2010... After gathering on the required documents, getting finger printed in all of that. I applied to take the Nclex with GA bon January 1, 2011... The Ga Bon sent me correspondence on January 27 ,stating I needed to submit the verification of employment form to the employers I'd put down on my application to test. I'd sent in the required docs when I sent in my app to test, but i felt like it would be a pointless waste of time to argue that, so this time I drove all the way to Macon with the papers to make sure they got them. Never the less, it took serveral phone calls to the bon before i received my ATT on March 16, I guess n the scheme of things, 6 to 8 weeks was not that long to wait. I took and passed the RN nclex on the first try April 15, 2011. ( I still have all my emails and things from this whole ordeal so i know the exact dates lol) After 3 weeks of constantly checking the BON website to see if my licence was issued or if my status was updated,and NOTHING, I decided to call. (I remember after passing the lpn boards it only took 2 or 3 days and my license was issued). Well finally, I received an email on May 25 2011 stating, This is actual email :

Subject: Application for Registered Professional Nurse Application#

Applicant Email:

Dear

The Georgia Board of Nursing reviewed your application for licensure at its recent meeting. After careful consideration of your application and supporting documents, the Board determined that you must complete a 150 hour preceptor ship (75 hours OB, 75 hours, PSYCH). The guidelines are attached.

If you have questions concerning your application, you may contact the Board office at 478 207-2440.

Sincerely,

Georgia Board of Nursing

I did not say before, but My good friend whom graduated from Excelsior as well ( about 8 months before me), and took the Nxclex the same day with me, Received her RN on May 5, 2011. However she had hospital experience and I did not. But never the less, I still sent the BON an email. Here it is:

Dear Crystal Wallach:

While I respect the boards decision, I do not agree with it. As a Lpn working in the field I have gained significant psychiatric experience. I have worked with individuals, diagnosis with psychiatric disorders from peds to young adults to geriatrics.

As a Lpn for " " Healthcare in their inpatient facility, I've gained significant psychiatric experience, along with med surg experience. I have worked with individuals, who suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, various types of schizophrenia, bi polar disorder,to those suffering from hallucinations and delusions. I have worked closely with patients who were in psychiatric crisis. I have dispensed psychiatric medications per physicians orders. As a nurse I have had to watch for adverse side affects of the meds and I 've also had to assess the patients progress, and document nurse notes in the patients chart.

As a Lpn for the " " County School System, I've also worked closely with students, whom suffer from various psychiatric disorders. During the school year I am usually the only nurse on campus and provide care, to not only students with physical disabilities, but I also provide care to student suffering with psychiatric disorders such as ADHA, Personality disorders, Behavior disorders and more. During school hours, as the school nurse, I alone administer and dispense psychiatric medications to my students per physicians orders. Whenever the students go into a psychiatric crisis such as acting out, screaming out, uncontrolled crying or trying to hurt themselves or others, the students are escorted to my office. I am in charged of assessing the students and making the appropriate referrals. I, also work closely with the school counselors to come up with 504 plans for these students. Additionally, as a school nurse for the " " County Schools system, I have gained OB experience. I've work with pregnant students. Again I work closely with the school counselor to come come up with 504 plans for these students. I work closely with the student's physicians and, the students during school hours to assure they are in stable condition while at school. I also work closely with the " " County Health Department to monitor student nutritional needs and have referred several of our pregnant teen to the WIC program.

In addition to my work experience, I also have formal training in PSYCH and OB. This educational experience came from my clinical rotations at Grady hospital, and Georgia Regional Hospital, while attending " "Technical College. A Practical Nursing program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Mrs. Wallach I am not sure of the next step I need to take to dispute this matter. I would be very grateful if you could contact me, as soon as you have the time, and let me know what further action I can take.

Thank you so much,

LPN/ Graduate Nurse

Well unfortunitly my email didn't make a difference, I was still required to do the hours. Well trying to get these hours done would certing be a great challenge... I will type part 2 tomorrow

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
I live in Atlanta... My conferral date from Excelsior Lpn to RN program was Nov. 2010... After gathering on the required documents, getting finger printed in all of that. I applied to take the Nclex with GA bon January 1, 2011... The Ga Bon sent me correspondence on January 27 ,stating I needed to submit the verification of employment form to the employers I'd put down on my application to test. I'd sent in the required docs when I sent in my app to test, but i felt like it would be a pointless waste of time to argue that, so this time I drove all the way to Macon with the papers to make sure they got them. Never the less, it took serveral phone calls to the bon before i received my ATT on March 16, I guess n the scheme of things, 6 to 8 weeks was not that long to wait. I took and passed the RN nclex on the first try April 15, 2011. ( I still have all my emails and things from this whole ordeal so i know the exact dates lol) After 3 weeks of constantly checking the BON website to see if my licence was issued or if my status was updated,and NOTHING, I decided to call. (I remember after passing the lpn boards it only took 2 or 3 days and my license was issued). Well finally, I received an email on May 25 2011 stating, This is actual email :Subject: Application for Registered Professional Nurse Application# Applicant Email: Dear The Georgia Board of Nursing reviewed your application for licensure at its recent meeting. After careful consideration of your application and supporting documents, the Board determined that you must complete a 150 hour preceptor ship (75 hours OB, 75 hours, PSYCH). The guidelines are attached. If you have questions concerning your application, you may contact the Board office at 478 207-2440. Sincerely, Georgia Board of Nursing I did not say before, but My good friend whom graduated from Excelsior as well ( about 8 months before me), and took the Nxclex the same day with me, Received her RN on May 5, 2011. However she had hospital experience and I did not. But never the less, I still sent the BON an email. Here it is:Dear Crystal Wallach: While I respect the boards decision, I do not agree with it. As a Lpn working in the field I have gained significant psychiatric experience. I have worked with individuals, diagnosis with psychiatric disorders from peds to young adults to geriatrics. As a Lpn for " " Healthcare in their inpatient facility, I've gained significant psychiatric experience, along with med surg experience. I have worked with individuals, who suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia, various types of schizophrenia, bi polar disorder,to those suffering from hallucinations and delusions. I have worked closely with patients who were in psychiatric crisis. I have dispensed psychiatric medications per physicians orders. As a nurse I have had to watch for adverse side affects of the meds and I 've also had to assess the patients progress, and document nurse notes in the patients chart. As a Lpn for the " " County School System, I've also worked closely with students, whom suffer from various psychiatric disorders. During the school year I am usually the only nurse on campus and provide care, to not only students with physical disabilities, but I also provide care to student suffering with psychiatric disorders such as ADHA, Personality disorders, Behavior disorders and more. During school hours, as the school nurse, I alone administer and dispense psychiatric medications to my students per physicians orders. Whenever the students go into a psychiatric crisis such as acting out, screaming out, uncontrolled crying or trying to hurt themselves or others, the students are escorted to my office. I am in charged of assessing the students and making the appropriate referrals. I, also work closely with the school counselors to come up with 504 plans for these students. Additionally, as a school nurse for the " " County Schools system, I have gained OB experience. I've work with pregnant students. Again I work closely with the school counselor to come come up with 504 plans for these students. I work closely with the student's physicians and, the students during school hours to assure they are in stable condition while at school. I also work closely with the " " County Health Department to monitor student nutritional needs and have referred several of our pregnant teen to the WIC program. In addition to my work experience, I also have formal training in PSYCH and OB. This educational experience came from my clinical rotations at Grady hospital, and Georgia Regional Hospital, while attending " "Technical College. A Practical Nursing program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Mrs. Wallach I am not sure of the next step I need to take to dispute this matter. I would be very grateful if you could contact me, as soon as you have the time, and let me know what further action I can take. Thank you so much, LPN/ Graduate Nurse Well unfortunitly my email didn't make a difference, I was still required to do the hours. Well trying to get these hours done would certing be a great challenge... I will type part 2 tomorrow
Oh, they tried to give me a hard time, too! Their initial response to me was 700 hours as if I had never been a nurse; when I'd been doing med/surg for a solid 7 years prior to my enrollment!!!! (That's with a total of 23 years as an LPN at the time!)That's when I started showing my face in the board office and ceased the email correspondence!!!
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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

My conferral date was April 16th, 2010. I passed boards June 16, 2010. I think they still were not ready to abide by the rules in our favor at the time. Truth be told, based on what was posted on the website at the time, I should have been required to do 350 hours, which I was accepting of and had arranged at my hospital. But they were so busy saying yes to some and no to others irregardless of what was posted, I guess I kinda slipped by.But I believe they are finally on one accord now.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I graduated October 2011; took boards December 2011 passed first try with the minimum questions; applied for licensure immediately and got the run around from JAN-MAR of 2012 with whether or not they received my application. Then received a generic email that I would have to complete a 320 hr preceptorship. Also in Jan 2012 I'd just found out that after 14 yrs I was expecting my second child; April 2012 my dad was admitted to hospice care after battling Pancreatic Cancer for over 2 yrs; May 2012 went into preterm labor and had to take FMLA time and would be off until after baby was born. With all of this happening and my place of employment changing names/management I didn't even attempt to obtain preceptorship as I was in no shape to do so. Decided to let my application lapse and reapply after the year was up. Well, I delivered my baby at 34wks via c-section and he was born happy and whole; husband was diagnosed with lymphoma just a few days later. Dad passed in September on the exact date baby turned 2 months old. Got my self together or so I thought and reapplied in November/December; board attempted to give me the run around again but this time I had EVERYTHING I needed and sought legal counsel. Happy to say that as of today I am officially and RN. It's been rough but as the saying goes "anything worth having is worth fighting for". Despite all I've been through if I had to do it all over again I still would choose Excelsior for my education. I have no regrets at all. To the Georgia residents that are considering enrolling I say go for it; just be prepared to fight if necessary.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
I graduated October 2011; took boards December 2011 passed first try with the minimum questions; applied for licensure immediately and got the run around from JAN-MAR of 2012 with whether or not they received my application. Then received a generic email that I would have to complete a 320 hr preceptorship. Also in Jan 2012 I'd just found out that after 14 yrs I was expecting my second child; April 2012 my dad was admitted to hospice care after battling Pancreatic Cancer for over 2 yrs; May 2012 went into preterm labor and had to take FMLA time and would be off until after baby was born. With all of this happening and my place of employment changing names/management I didn't even attempt to obtain preceptorship as I was in no shape to do so. Decided to let my application lapse and reapply after the year was up. Well, I delivered my baby at 34wks via c-section and he was born happy and whole; husband was diagnosed with lymphoma just a few days later. Dad passed in September on the exact date baby turned 2 months old. Got my self together or so I thought and reapplied in November/December; board attempted to give me the run around again but this time I had EVERYTHING I needed and sought legal counsel. Happy to say that as of today I am officially and RN. It's been rough but as the saying goes "anything worth having is worth fighting for". Despite all I've been through if I had to do it all over again I still would choose Excelsior for my education. I have no regrets at all. To the Georgia residents that are considering enrolling I say go for it; just be prepared to fight if necessary.

ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!!! I could almost understand if Excelsior College was a new concept in Georgia, but it isn't. Georgia was previously accepting the college for 30+ years and then all of a sudden, BAM!!!! I guess this state has more than its fair share of nurses and don't need any more.

On another note, CONGRATULATIONS on finally getting what you worked so hard for. I'm really sorry about the other issues that you are obviously still enduring. But it shows true testimony to what you're made of. I lost my grandfather on my CPNE weekend...that was a heart-breaker. I also lost my husband on that same weekend...to that I say GOOD RIDDENCE, HIS LOSS!!! (Long story there filled with jealousy). Have faith and stay strong!!!!

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Thanks Lyndaa. It's been rough but could have been worse.

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Specializes in correction.

rnlately what nursing field did you work in as an LPN? Im just wondeing will they give me such a hard tme as well. I have Currently 2 yrs and 4 months of longterm care experience and some correctional nurse experience almost a year

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I've worked LTAC and acute care.

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Specializes in pediatrics and family practice.

Hi. I am a new student to Excelsior College for the LPN/RN (ASN) bridge over program. I am interested in hearing from any recent Georgia grads, like in the last 2 years. Where did you do your preceptorship? How many hours did you have to do?? How did you prepare for the CPNE? Any feed back is appreciated.

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