Help a brother out!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2014

Now, my questions are...
1. How legitimate is it accreditation-wise? (I live in NY)
2.With a decent science and EMS background, will it be difficult for me to complete the program?
3. Will they favor other brick-and-mortar nursing students over me when applying for a job?
Also, will they hire me with an associates in nursing and a BS in biology or will I have to get my BSN?
4. If I wanted to go into a US military nursing corps will they accept me?
Will I need a BSN?
5. How will masters programs view me as a candidate if someday I wanted to go for my NP or CRNA?
Thank you for your help,
MNG

WHEW, that's a lot of questions! :) Welcome to AN; I'll answer the ones I can:

Excelsior is not accepted by every State BoN in the US; some States will not issue a license for you to practice if you have a degree from Excelsior. It's "legitimate" in NYS, but you might want to consider that you won't be able to move anywhere and still practice nursing if you get a degree from this program.

Can't say how hard or easy it might be for you, having not gone through that program....maybe someone else here can answer that for you.

Whether you'd lose a job to a graduate of a traditional program has A LOT to do with where you seek to apply: qualified applicants have a hard time most anywhere finding employment as a new grad, but what will likely set you apart (and above) is having paramedic experience. More important than the program of nursing, UNLESS the place to which you are applying has had poor success with Excelsior grads.

An AS in Nursing is an AS in Nursing; the BS in Biology means nothing when it comes to landing an RN job. Now, if you seek to do an accelerated BSN program (since you already have a Bachelor degree), or bridge from RN (once licensed) to BSN (with a completion program), that'd be a different story.

Military will require a BSN. I *believe* only the Reserves will take ASN....but don't quote me, not sure. But if you want active duty military....BSN.

There's a lot of competition for placement into advanced-practice programs; I'd think the candidate with the best creds would get in, but I'm no expert in that category. Again, you cannot even BE an RN in some States with an Excelsior degree, so......might want to consider that.

Good luck!

MNG88 · Dec 31, 2014

Thank you very much for your reply (I didn't think I'd get any- this is my first time on any message board). I'm confined to NYC or greater NYC for the next 23 years but flexibility (working in NJ or PA) is key. AHH so many decisions!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2014

Thank you very much for your reply (I didn't think I'd get any- this is my first time on any message board). I'm confined to NYC or greater NYC for the next 23 years but flexibility (working in NJ or PA) is key. AHH so many decisions!

You're lucky in this is a pretty active board....and you're welcome :)

Working in the NYC area, you're going to want to get a BSN....highly competitive for employment, and MANY BSN new grads to choose from.

I don't know where PA stands on Excelsior.....but that should be easy to find out, and it's likely someone here will respond to you on that.

Yes, lots of decisions coming your way!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 31, 2014

The only state you cannot be licensed as an RN post Excelsior is CA. There are a handful of states that have additional requirements (more so for non-LPNs in some states like GA) but this is fully disclosed on the Excelsior website.

Excelsior has been an NLN center of nursing education excellence (very few programs are bestowed this honor) for quite a few years in addition to being fully accredited by NYBoN and CCNE.

That said an independent paced distance learning with challenge exams that you essentially self-study and rely on your previous experience and education as well as personal motivation is a challenge that works great for some and not so well for others. There is an entire forum on AN dedicated to online distance learning. However aside from local hybrid (online theory with in person lab & clinical throughout the program) EC is the only distance based independent program that will consider a currently certified paramedic/EMT-P for admission. The other common distance program (Indiana State) is only LPN to BSN

There is a lot of info out there about programs including ABSN for those with a BA/BS in another discipline

Good luck

(NY/NJ/PA all accept EC medic to ASN/RN program as an entry to practice nursing education )

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2014

Get in the habit of going to the state boards of nursing websites before you make any decisions-- find out about whether the programs you're investigating are accepted in those states for NCLEX-sitting or for licensure by reciprocity (different concepts). Find out the % of grads passing NCLEX on their first try (it should be high).

Also make friends with the admissions counselors from real brick-and-mortar schools. Even if you fall to the lure of online learning, you'll at least know what your competition will be learning and doing and you can have something to compare to what you hear from the marketing reps at the for-profit schools.

And yes, where you get your degree is important when looking for work. It didn't used to be so much, but now that there is a lot more experience with distance/online learning employers are learning to ask, for good reason.

MNG88 · Dec 31, 2014

Thank you all for the replies! I value all opinions! It's definitely good that they have message boards that I can reach out to people with experience.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2014

You will find a wealth of information and experience here. I would check out the CRNA boards here to see how excelsior fits into that path. I know you will need a BSN for military these days it has become very competitive as well. One of our guides wtbcrna is smart, experienced and military as a CRNA....you could post over there and I am sure he can help you.

MNG88 · Jan 1, 2015

Thank you Esme12, I actually went to Columbia U and spoke with admissions a while back. They said that they would accept the excelsior nursing program... but the question remains would they accept me? haha

But this is far, far down the road.

(regarding CRNA)

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 2, 2015

You will need a BSN for the military, period. In this time of military downsizing, no ADNs are accepted,not even in the Reserves. The National Guard used to accept ADNs who were actively pursuing a BSN, but I suspect that has changed as well. The military is overstrength when it comes to nurses.

Here is some info about EC: https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/the-excelsior-college-808335.html

MNG88 · Jan 2, 2015

Thank you for your reply pixieRN, I will definitely check out the EC link. Like I had mentioned, I already have a BS in bio and minor in chem. I know it probably varies from school to school but what additional classes would they make me take or even retake (typically)?

-I'm all for education but with 2 jobs and a family I'm really concerned with becoming a nurse, finding employment and having the option to earn an advanced degree.

thank you, MNG