does IL recognize deaconess grads?

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Hi everyone! I am an LPN in IL, i know that my state does not recognize excelsior degrees......but do they consider deaconess? the program sounds awesome. thanks for any info you can provide! :rolleyes:

Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
I had looked at this program previously but the hospital here won't participate in the program. :(

Kelly

Sometimes you have to pursue more than one hospital. Do you have other hospitals within driving distance?

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Sometimes you have to pursue more than one hospital. Do you have other hospitals within driving distance?

Kelly,

Mona is right...I applied to 4 hospitals before finding one that would work with me. The one that finally accepted me is a 40 minute drive away but they have been so awesome that it is worth it.

Best of Luck!

Cheri

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Yes, I believe Illinios accepts Deaconess grads, and they accept Excelsior grads, too. Only the requirements for EC grads are different.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

LPN to RN - please be aware that at this time IL does not accept EC grads:

" n) The Department has determined that nurse programs approved through the National League of Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Accreditation meet the requirements set forth in this Section, except for those programs whose curriculums do not include a concurrent theory and clinical practice education component as required by Section 10-35 of the Act."

This is taken straight from the IL Nurse Practice Act and the URL is:

http://www.ildpr.com/WHO/ar/rn.asp

This just points to prospective students in ANY program should contact the state board of nursing PRIOR to registering to ensure that the program will meet the board's requirements. Good luck...judi

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Yep, the Deaconess program has become very popular since I started the program. Unfortunately, I may be quicker to go through a traditional ASN program than to wait to get into Deaconess. It can also be EXTREMELY dificult to find a hospital willing to help you out with clinical time. I contacted sooo many hospitals that I lost count. I was finally able to secure a contract at a hospital 1.5 hours from home. Not ideal, but it worked for me.

An additional note on Excelsior taken from page 3 of the Illinois licensure application:

"Excelsior College is an unapproved Nursing education program in the state of Illinois due to the fact that it does not have concurrent theory and clinical components as required by the Illinois Nursing and Advanced Practical Nursing Act. Therefore, it is considered a correspondence course which is identified by the Act as not meeting the requirements for licensure."

I know that Illinois will consider an Excelsior grad that is already licensed in another state and has 2+ years of RN experience in another state, however when I first approached the Illinois BON about this I was told not to bother with Excelsior because it is not guaranteed that the BON will grant a license even if you already have a license and experience in another state. They actually said that they do not like when Illinois residents complete the Excelsior program, work in another state for 2 years, and then apply for licensure back in Illinois. It is sometimes viewed by the BON as deceptive and trying to get around the Illinois Nurse Practice Act. Different story though for Excelsior grads licensed and residents of another state that relocate.

This is certainly not meant to bad mouth the Excelsior program. I would have definitely went with Excelsior had I lived in a state other than Illinois. The program is definitely cheaper than Deaconess!

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Yep, the Deaconess program has become very popular since I started the program. Unfortunately, I may be quicker to go through a traditional ASN program than to wait to get into Deaconess. It can also be EXTREMELY dificult to find a hospital willing to help you out with clinical time. I contacted sooo many hospitals that I lost count. I was finally able to secure a contract at a hospital 1.5 hours from home. Not ideal, but it worked for me.

Mrs.Yost

Congrats on passing the boards! Way to go!

I was shocked when reading how many applicants their were for Deaconess's Spring Semester...it helps me really appreciate getting in when I did this past Fall. For me getting into Deaconess was alot easier and faster than getting into a local program here in Orlando...if it were not for Deaconess, I am not sure I would have been able to pursue nursing at all. The flexibility of their program is what makes it ideal for me.

Happy New Year!

Cheri

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.
Mrs.Yost

Congrats on passing the boards! Way to go!

I was shocked when reading how many applicants their were for Deaconess's Spring Semester...it helps me really appreciate getting in when I did this past Fall. For me getting into Deaconess was alot easier and faster than getting into a local program here in Orlando...if it were not for Deaconess, I am not sure I would have been able to pursue nursing at all. The flexibility of their program is what makes it ideal for me.

Happy New Year!

Cheri

Me too Cheri!

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Sometimes you have to pursue more than one hospital. Do you have other hospitals within driving distance?
I'm really new to this - so when you're done laughing at my silly ???, if you could help me - I'd :kiss love it.

Who do you talk to, how does one go about getting a hospital to agree to let you perform clinicals there. Do they charge, etc.

Thanks :coollook:

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I'm really new to this - so when you're done laughing at my silly ???, if you could help me - I'd :kiss love it.

Who do you talk to, how does one go about getting a hospital to agree to let you perform clinicals there. Do they charge, etc.

Thanks :coollook:

IXerlover,

Welcome to the Board!

I started out by targeting my top 5 hospital choices. Then I downloaded some information about the ASN program from the Deaconess Website. Next I called the HR Dept at each hospital and asked for the name and number of the Director of Education. I called each Director and left a message stating that I was sending some information and gave a quick explanation of what I needed. I then mailed out the info and followed up on each about a week and a half later.

You must be confident and persistent. I was turned down 4 times before I spoke with the 5th and final Director...she turned out to be the best anyways!

Hope this helps!

Cheri

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.

That's very good advice Cheri. I made many phone calls as well. I guess people are busy and you have to be persistent in at least getting them to aknowledge you.

Being persistent should pay off.

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You can read your state BON's website and see that the statement you made is not entirely true. IL will accept Excelsior graduates from other states who have 2+ yrs. of expericence.

Excelsior is accepted in every state in the country except California.

I don't know why DCN sounds so awesome. I wasn't impressed when I was shopping around for a distance learning program. For one thing, the program is longer than EC, and for another the cost is absolutely outrageous. I don't understand why people will balk at $1500 for the CPNE (maybe $3000 if you fail once and have to retake it) but then think they are getting a good deal paying over $400 a semester hour to go through Deaconess? :uhoh3:

Looking to take some courses toward RN You think EC stands out??? Thanks for your opinion....

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Please help seeking advise on a good, cost effective distance learning course to go from LVN to RN Thanks for any response.............

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