I was totally dissed last night

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During my shift at the hospital I work at, I was talking to several nurses who know I'm an Excelsior student. This is a unit I very much want to work in when i graduate. To make a long story short, the charge nurse walks up in the middle of the convo, and asks about the program. She asked, "what about clinicals?". When I explained how the program worked, she replied "Well I hope they don't hire you for this unit, I don't see how that sort of program can produce a competent nurse." Ouch! I know she doesn't do the hiring, and when the person that does do the hiring sees my qualifications, I'll be hired on the spot. I also knew this sort of discrimination exists, but had never experienced it first hand. Very disheartening.

I don't have any issues with the time investment because no one is going to question my degree, which is the way I want it. I do have issues with people claiming they've accomplished more than I have because they took a short cut. And let's face it: being able to skip the clinical hours is not an accomplishment, that's a short cut.

:coollook:

we desperately need you to get in touch with the NLN and tell them what you know about nursing education! by the way, what are your qualifications?

and how many ec graduates do you personally know?

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we desperately need you to get in touch with the NLN and tell them what you know about nursing education!

The NLN accreditation is nice but, it doesn't always carry much weight with the state boards, which are the only accrediting authorities that matter. It obviously didn't help EC in California, and it doesn't appear to have helped them much with the Kansas and Colorado decisions either.

:specs:

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During my shift at the hospital I work at, I was talking to several nurses who know I'm an Excelsior student. This is a unit I very much want to work in when i graduate. To make a long story short, the charge nurse walks up in the middle of the convo, and asks about the program. She asked, "what about clinicals?". When I explained how the program worked, she replied "Well I hope they don't hire you for this unit, I don't see how that sort of program can produce a competent nurse." Ouch! I know she doesn't do the hiring, and when the person that does do the hiring sees my qualifications, I'll be hired on the spot. I also knew this sort of discrimination exists, but had never experienced it first hand. Very disheartening.

I read this thread entirely and found it all very interesting! But let me add something about the original post. You may want to consider finding another unit that you can love, that is unfamiliar with your education, and keep your education mum when you first start out (where you got your training to pass the NCLEX shouldn't be a factor either way, right? Don't take on the stress of the world thinking you have to prove EC is just as good.) The ONLY reason I suggest this is I would hate to see this nurse set out to prove herself right. Once she's committed to the idea that your education will be inferior, will she deliberately be harder on you as a co-worker (or boss?) I could just see this snowballing quickly... she's already proved that her comments can be unprofessional, so how far would she take it? Telling other co-workers your education was lacking, etc? I'm just concerned about the stress factor of trying to prove yourself to this other nurse, starting out (in her eyes) with a black mark against you. I'm sure you could fight it with the nursing director but who needs the fight, on top of everything else! Yuchh. YMMV... perhaps the challege of proving her wrong would be motivating to you, to me, I'd go insannnnnnnne.

I would like to thank you for generating this thread! I learned a ton about what exactly the EC program is (for good or for bad :D) and I had wondered previously but hadn't taken the time to investigate.

Cats

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My mom graduated from EC in 1998, and the hospital she was at gave her a song and dance about "we're not even sure if we can accept your license....etc. etc. etc." It was very frustrating for her because she saw other LPNs getting their RN and being converted, and she was left out in the cold. As it turned out, the hospital did accept that program all along, but it was more ignorance than anything (as well as a touch of discrimination, but that's besides the point.) Mom was the first nurse in that hospital to have an EC degree, and since, many have followed, but usually go elsewhere because as a graduate nurse, the opportunities are usually better elsewhere. I am now an EC student, and things have changed alot since 1998.

Good luck with your endeavours - don't worry about what they say - like all the EC brochures say, "What you know is more important than where or how you learned it." :wink2:

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Dont be suprised if you see a lot of bons follow the example of California and Colorado. I'm not here to bash EC, but all you doing is challening 7 nursing exams and taking a cpne test for these days. I talked with a person who become a CMA just to get accepted into EC, and she did get accepted, and she told me she has no medical experience, she just has a CMA certficate, but she was able to pass all of her nursing concept exams, and she says that she is afraid to be a nurse, because she dosen't have any clinical experience. This is truly sad. I truly believe trdational nursing programs are the way to if you want to learn the right way. Anybody can challenge an exam.

Anyone can challange an exam. Not true.

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Sheesh, and all I came here for was some EC love!:chuckle

Don't worry about her comments. Most of the time people who judge others like that usually have a chip on their shoulder. The charge nurse is not the boss of the hospital so don't worry. You will get a job and you will be a great nurse!

As far as he girl who is a CMA, ( just a CMA i might add...lol) if she is that scared then she needs to get a job! Get some experience. Goodness! Perhaps she would be better suited for something else. TO Liz. I am an associate degree CMA, and proud of it. I am also certified to do allergy testing among other things. So don't judge people by their cert or degree.

I have been doing this for years sister. Some people have to work and this is the way we have to go to school. It is harder to do it this way. You have to be an LPN or CMA or Cert. RN, etc. before you can get in.. So we have been to traditional schooling. Give me a break. You can't just walk in off the street to go to EC. I think it is great that people want to better themselves. Who cares if you or the charge nurse approves! I don't live my life to please everyone else or to seek their approval. I only hang with positive people!

If you think a charge nurse is mean then you should work for a Doctor! You have to be thick skinned to work in this profession. It is very trying at times. People can be very hurtful. Next time you need a cyber hug just let me know! Stay positive! Keep smiling! DOwens:balloons:

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Only LPN'S and Paramedics? I am a associates degree CMA and I have lots of experience. I was a CNA years ago before that at a hospital. I do clinical stuff everyday, tons of it. Give injections, put on splints, allergy testing, assist in surgery, diabetic teaching, lab, xrays,cath patients, paper work the list goes on and on! The Doctor I work for has taught me so much! He trusts in my ability and he is a Doctor! So who are you to say otherwise? Please! Do your thing and I'll do mine.

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If you're asking if I ever was an EC student, I can assure you that I have never enrolled nor attempted to enroll in EC.

:chuckle

Then why do you think you know so much about it?

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TO Liz. I am an associate degree CMA, and proud of it.

I'm confused. I thought EC didn't allow CMA's anymore. Or, has something changed.

:confused:

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Dont be suprised if you see a lot of bons follow the example of California and Colorado. I'm not here to bash EC, but all you doing is challening 7 nursing exams and taking a cpne test for these days. I talked with a person who become a CMA just to get accepted into EC, and she did get accepted, and she told me she has no medical experience, she just has a CMA certficate, but she was able to pass all of her nursing concept exams, and she says that she is afraid to be a nurse, because she dosen't have any clinical experience. This is truly sad. I truly believe trdational nursing programs are the way to if you want to learn the right way. Anybody can challenge an exam.

Then why haven't you done it? It's not an easy program, sorry. "A lot of BONs" are already aware of EC's methods and are fine with it- EC has been around a looong time.

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I'm confused. I thought EC didn't allow CMA's anymore. Or, has something changed.

:confused:

They no longer do. I was accepted before the cut-off. DO:)

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Then why haven't you done it? It's not an easy program, sorry. "A lot of BONs" are already aware of EC's methods and are fine with it- EC has been around a looong time.

Because I decided to get a more quality education at a traditional progam, and one that includes clinicals!

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