Georgia code 43-26-7 (article 1) re Excelsior education

[4pancakes]

Hello fellow Registered Nurses,

I am license in the state of Florida as an RN. However, I want to endorse into Georgia. I was an LPN prior to enrolling in Excelsior. I have been a LPN for 14 years with several years of LTAC experience. I have recently graduated from Excelsior in Oct. 2010, and just passed my FL. RN boards last month. I have sent the board my endorsement packet some time ago, and have received very little communications from them! I have initiated phone conversations trying to see what the hold up is on issuing my license by endorsement as it has been well over a month since I have applied. The problem I am having is that everyone I speak to at the GBON always says something different from the person prior. I need a job to support my three kids, and to help my husband out . I have sent them all the required documents as it pertains to this Georgia Code. . ALL I WANT IS MY LICENSE! IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO CAN HELP IN THIS PROCESS? OR, AT LEAST POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? ANYONE HERE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH ENDORSEMENT IN GA FROM FL AND EC? Has anyone heard of any updates to this Georgia Code? Please feel free to post here, or send me a private email. Thank you.

[rnlately]

Check with the school. You graduated before the latest law which came into effect in March, I think. EC is retaining an attorney to help with issues such as this.

[4pancakes]

segaGN,

Thank you for the response. I will do that!!!

[4pancakes]

I didn't know they had relocated my thread prior to them doing so. So, I apologize for thumbs down on part two of this post.. Thanks.

[4pancakes]

NRSKarenRN,

Thank you for transferring my thread! I didn't realize that there was a Georgia forum here. You have given me more information than I could have ever imagined!!! Thank you!:)

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Our distance learning forum has info on GA BON and fight since 2008 when GA BON changed regulations up to 5/13/11 passage of SB 100 Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act; revision

See: GA BON no longer accepting Excelsior education; Speak up Cont. Updates!!

Pertinent part of this law that applies to you is:

If the applicant entered the nontraditional nursing education program as a

61 licensed practical nurse and had an academic education as a licensed practical nurse

62 that included clinical training in pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology,

63 medical-surgical, and mental illness, have with at least three two years of clinical

64 experience in the five years preceding the date of the application in a health care

65 facility an acute care inpatient facility or a long-term acute care facility as a licensed

66 practical nurse, as approved by the board. Such clinical experience shall be

67 documented in writing by the applicant's immediate supervisor stating that, in his

68 or her opinion, the applicant has exhibited the critical thinking abilities, clinical

69 skills, and leadership abilities that would indicate the ability to work as a beginning

70 registered professional nurse

Did you include a letter from your immediate supervisor attesting to the above as part of your application package?... if not, do so immediately so not to be held up when BON next reviews Excelsior graduates applications for licensure. Per our bb members dealing with GA BON department, they take a longer time to process applications. As a government entity, if department not adequately staffed to handle volume of work there will be delays. GA residents might want to pressure legislators to look at licensure delays --- lack of license = less income to state if you have state income tax

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

REGION yellow tab at top of page is link to each state forum for discussions about healthcare in their area and includes sub forum for state nursing program discussions. Keeps like information posted in same local for member ease of use.

[jamesc]

The Georgia Board of Nursing does license graduates of Excelsior College. O.C.G.A. 43-26-7 provides specific licensure requirements for applicants who graduated from a nontraditional education program. In fact, Senate Bill 100 was signed into effect on May 13, 2011. This bill is available on the website of the Georgia Board of Nursing at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/rn. The language in this law provides specific requirements for applicants for licensure by examination and endorsement. Additionally, depending on the method by which you are seeking licensure (examination or endorsement) the law has certain requirements regarding prior education and work history. Many times this information must be evaluated by the Board and a determination regarding licensure cannot be made by the staff.

I would advise you to contact the Board of Nursing and request to speak to a supervisor. Perhaps he or she would be able to provide you with important information regarding your application that could help alleviate the uncertainty and frustration that you are currently experiencing. The operators at the Professional Licensing Boards answer the phones for forty-three professions and are typically only able to provide basic information. I feel certain that a staff member from the Board would be able to assist you with your questions.

[TLSpaz, ASN, RN]

A previous poster said the Georgia BON has no real power and nothing is further from the truth.

I do not think the previous poster meant to convey that the GA BON has no power ("has no oversight" was the phrase, I believe). The poster meant, I think, that there appears to be no one overseeing the inner workings of the BON; that no one has "oversight" over the BON itself even though the BON falls under the SofS's office.:)

[4pancakes]

NRSKARENRN, AND jamesc,

Thank you both for your responses.They have been very helpful. Yes, I did include employment verification forms . It's been almost 50 days, and still not a word! No updates! And, Excelsior really isn't helping the cause! I may need to hire my own attorney... We shall see!

[4pancakes]

WELL THE SO CALL VERDICT IS IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE REQUIRING ME TO TAKE 320 PRECEPTOR-SHIP HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVEN THOUGH STARTED THE PROGRAM AS A LPN. OH AND GET THIS, THEY CAN'T EVEN TELL ME WHY THEY DIDN'T EXCEPT MY HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE THAT WAS SENT IN..AND, THE BEST PART IS THEY WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE THE NAMES OF ANY PRECEPTORS OR HOSPITALS THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HELPING ME SEEING THAT I AM A LICENSE FL. RN , AND NOT A STUDENT NURSE... IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I NEED TO DO FROM HERE, PLEASE ASSIST ME IN COMPLETING THIS TASK! I HAVE DOWN LOADED THE AP FROM THEIR SITE, BUT HAVE NO IDEA WHO TO SEND THEM TO...I EVEN TRIED TO REACH THE OFFICE OF ATT. BELINFANTE. HE WAS UNREACHABLE TODAY...I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.. THANKS FOR ANY AND ALL REPLIES!

HOW LONG WILL THIS TYPE OF PRECEPTOR-SHIP LAST FOR ANY WAY? SHOULD I PASS UP AN RN JOB OPPORTUNITY IN FL. TO COMPLETE THIS PRECEPTOR SHIP IN GA.?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Can you work in Florida for a while to get the experience the GA BON would require for you to NOT have to complete a preceptorship?

[4pancakes]

LunahRN,

After much debate and research, I think that is what I will do. Mean while, let the attorney fight it out with the GBON. I spoke with his paralegal today and she was amazing! I just wanted so badly to work in my home state, but I have gotten so many job offers this week until finally, I had to wake up and smell the coffee! I will get my Ga license just not in the time frame I had hoped for. But, I am thankful to have many job prospects..I was becoming so stressed out, and that isn't my character. I had to turn it over to the Pros.. Now, I can concentrate on starting a new job, and my BSN program..I am trying to decide between WGU, Chamberlin, and Thomas Edison..(trying to catch up with you girlie! You getting her done!) Congrats, on going back for your MSN..An Officer and Master prepared nurse to be..I guess we know who to borrow from...lol ..Thank you for your reply. It means a lot. Best wishes to you always!