I am a little concerned about my options now

Published

I graduated and passed LPN NCLEX in 2011. I have taken my prereqs and I have just started my LPN to RN at Excelsior, but now I am very concerned that I wont be able to work in some states with my EC RN :( Anyone faced with this problem? Also because of this I am positive I will get my BSN thru a "traditional" college because I am afraid I will be restricted if I go thru EC for my BSN. Anybody have any experience/advice in this matter?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FYI, if you finish a prelicensure RN program through EC, get licensed and then complete a BSN through another school, that won't change your status as an EC graduate. When states make decisions about licensure, they look at the program you completed to first become eligible for licensure, the program in which you actually learned all your basic nursing "stuff." If that program doesn't meet the requirements for a particular state, nothing you have done since then (education-wise) will change that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The only state you absolutely cannot get licensed by examination or endorsement with an EC ASN degree is California.

Other states may not permit you to be licensed by examination BUT will permit license by endorsement with stipulations. Stipulations vary from RN in another state with specified number of paid work hours, completion of a BoN approved supervised preceptorship, etc.

Yet others will only accept if you were a LPN (often worked as an LPN ) but not if you were a respiratory therapist or medic first. There is a list on the EC nursing website.

Like the other poster stated the BoN looks at what qualified you for initial licensing as a RN so for example , if your entry to practice qualification was an ASN from EC getting a RN->BSN will still not qualify you for a RN license in CA. (Which personally I think is odd as CA has the LVN + 30 credit hour option for a LVN to become eligible for RN by examination but the license is not transferable to other states)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Well, the BSN is not going to matter. Most all states look at where you obtained an ASN degree that led to initial licensure. Excelsior worked out great for me because I wasn't planning on working in a lot of different states. As long as it was accepted in the state that contained my hometown and the majority of my family members, I was cool with it. But even in my home state, for a couple of years here, we had a here-today-gone-tomorrow issue with the way the BON viewed Excelsior. But the issues were resolved...and that was after EC had been accepted in this state for 30 years! And even so, there were, and are, still little quirks that cause such a pain not just with EC graduates, but with anyone out of state who seeks endorsement. We even have FOUR testing sites for the CPNE here but that made no difference when the wild hairs surfaced. Nothing is definite because the BON can do what they want, apparently. I've worked with a CNA from the Phillipines who was an RN in her native country but her education wasn't accepted here and she felt she was too old to return to school. The problem for her was that she was initially a PICU manager stateside for 10 years with her education but she returned home for 2 years and when she returned, her professional world was shattered because of the changes implemented while she was away.

Now, if your concern is surmounting, it would probably be best if you got out BEFORE you sink anymore money into EC for the degree that leads to initial licensure. Check with the BONs in the states that you think you might be working in to see if they accept EC. If they do, I would step up the pace in completing the degree and obtaining licensure because saying yes today doesn't mean that they will say yes tomorrow. But an EC grad can work in any VA hospital in this country and every state has at least one.

Just my opinion....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you're concerned, examine your other options. EC is not the best route for everyone. Good luck, whatever you decide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you are ever planning to work in CA as a RN, then don't do Excelsior. The CA BRN is pretty firm on their position about Excelsior and shows no signs of backing down at this time. And waiting to see if the CA BRN will change their stance on EC would be a very big and expensive gamble on your part.

The only way you'd be able to work in CA with an EC ADN is though the military or VA, since you can use any state's license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion