Is a degree from excelsior.edu worth anything?

Nurses General Nursing

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I just heard about this online college and I just want to know what others think about it. I've always been skeptical about online degrees, but since I'm desperate I'll take what I can get. I don't really feel like being on the waiting list for two years before I finally get into the nursing program for another two years.

Anyway. Does it matter if you graduate this college instead of an actual college? In other words, is it any harder to get a job with an online degree.

I know I haven't done my research, but it's midnight and I'm too lazy to read anything in its unabridged version.

Thanks.

Specializes in CCU, CVICU, ER.
Huh, one who puts others down as a professional.

Just for the record I am trained and I have ACLS, PALS,PHTLS, AMLS and many others, and oh yes, I am trained in way more then transport and vital signs. You need to get a attitude adjustment too:angryfire, the next time you or a loved one are hurt bleeding or ill, recall that Medic or EMT who takes care of them, you might think different, or maybe they should just not due their job as not being trained enough for you and just drive. You seem to be stuck in the early 60s and 70s when we ran wagons that way, Just for the record I know some Paramedic Instructors who have more education then you listed above and many more who went on to be MDs. MANY others are the ones WHO TEACH the RNs in T/CCT and Flight RNs who are nothing more then low on the pole Paramedics.

Being Professional is also how you carry yourself and not just a piece of paper.

I would like to respond to this. First of all I was not insulting Suesquatch. I am stating facts. There is a big difference between and LPN with one year of vocational training, and an RN with an advanced degree. She may not view herself as a professional, but I certainly do. I feel it is an insult to call an RN anything less than a professional. Viewing myself as an educated professional and taking pride in my profession, (the profession you are wanting to enter) does not make me arrogant or in need of an attitude adjustment. I also stated in my post to you that because of your extensive experience as a medic, I was confident you would be a good RN. I was not implying that paramedics only drive and take vital signs. I know the difference between an EMT and a paramedic. It is somewhat like the difference between an LPN and an RN wouldn't you say? My point was this girl I knew was an EMT, a brand new EMT, and by her own admission, SHE had no experience and very little training when she went to become an RN. Please read what I say clearly before attacking me.

Specializes in ICU,PCU,ER, TELE,SNIFF, STEP DOWN PCT.
I would like to respond to this. First of all I was not insulting Suesquatch. I am stating facts. There is a big difference between and LPN with one year of vocational training, and an RN with an advanced degree. She may not view herself as a professional, but I certainly do. I feel it is an insult to call an RN anything less than a professional. Viewing myself as an educated professional and taking pride in my profession, (the profession you are wanting to enter) does not make me arrogant or in need of an attitude adjustment. I also stated in my post to you that because of your extensive experience as a medic, I was confident you would be a good RN. I was not implying that paramedics only drive and take vital signs. I know the difference between an EMT and a paramedic. It is somewhat like the difference between an LPN and an RN wouldn't you say? My point was this girl I knew was an EMT, a brand new EMT, and by her own admission, SHE had no experience and very little training when she went to become an RN. Please read what I say clearly before attacking me.

Pride is a great thing it also makes people fall hard too.

LPN to you may not be "Professionals" but then I do not go around shouting" I AM A PARAMEDIC I am a PROFESSIONAL to the EMT'S I work with, not do I with the LPN'S" I see them as a "Professional" they had to go to school and so they can't do IVs and Push some meds. Whooopie:uhoh3:

There is a difference but more along the lines of Nurse assistant and RN then LPN and RN.

Again I think you feel threatened by those taking a different route then you and you have to be in a closed box way of thinking.

She was a EXCEPTION( The EMT) to the norm, as said I have seen some crappy RNs who went through university, just like I am sure there are crappy EMTS, EMTP and I know there are MDs, online or not.

Medic04... that's a big 10-4! We are absoloutely agreeing with each other...PoppaD is clear!

Specializes in Peds stepdown ICU.

Excelsior offers a wonderful alternative for students who otherwise may not be able to reach their goals and fufill dreams in a traditional way. I graduated 3 years ago from Excelsior after working as an LPN for over 10 years. I was concerned about how my education may look when applying for jobs...BUT I have never had a problem getting a job at my choice of hospitals. I have worked for the past few years at a large level I trauma teaching hospital in the PICU. I precept on my floor and have never received anything BUT praises regarding the care I give to my patients. I do agree that Excelsior may not be the best choice for everyone BUT it can be a wonderful choice for those who have clinical experience that is sound. As an Excelsior grad I was the only new grad nurse (3 years ago) when I took a PBDS (i think that is what is called --it's been awhile) and passed on the very first try. It is a test many hospitals are administering to see if a nurse has critical thinking skills. According to the educators at a large hospital system in Orlando (where I took mine) many new grads and seasoned nurses alike fail this test...and little me from EC passed at well above the standard. The one thing EC did prepare me for was independent critical thinking. The program is not without its faults BUT it is a wonderful program for certain types of students. You get out of the program what you put into it. Just my 2 cents....

All this petty bickering on here is so far from professionalism that it skirts the playground arena. We should all keep our minds open to new ways of learning and doing things.....if not for the new we would still be in the dark ages letting physicians come from the morgue and deliver babies without washing their hands....

Folks...PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! The old us and them argument continues to divide us and it keeps our attention diverted from advancing our PROFESSION. Do we really need to have the BSN's acting s if they are so much more knowledgable than the ADN/Diploma RN's...Can a MSN prepared nurse who is not engaged in advanced practice care for a pt any better than a Diploma nurse? How many Ph. D's can actually perform acute care at the bedside?

Folks...we need to wake up and realize that there are multiple entry points into our profession. The LTC industry depends upon LPNs to care for the needs of the chronicly ill...hospitals depend upon diploma/ADNs to man the bedsides...and yes...BSN nurses can more readily rise up from the bedside to ADMIN. Advanced practice requires a MSN or doctoral degree....but guess what..............everyone of these nurses must have a basic license to practice Nursing. We get too caught up in trying to be better than the next nurse as we acquire new pieces of alphabet sphaghetti to place behind our last names.

Ya know...I had a pipe break under my house this past weekend...I called a plumber out to fix the break for me...I had to pay this professional almost $200.00 for an hour's worth of work...he had the skill and training to do for me what I could not do for myself ....very Virginia Henderson dont you think?

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

fact is excelsior is a real school.. excelsior was designated as one of eight schools in america that received the nln school of excellence for 2005-2008. they are accredited by the middle states association of colleges and schools. which is a part of the central accreditation for all colleges and universities. meaning you can transfer your credits in and then transfer them out. point is to get into ec you have to know your stuff , to pass these test you have to know your stuff and to get out you have to know your stuff...just because it is a distance learning option does not mean it is easy.

the fact is, excelsior is not a real school.
Ya know...I had a pipe break under my house this past weekend...I called a plumber out to fix the break for me...I had to pay this professional almost $200.00 for an hour's worth of work...he had the skill and training to do for me what I could not do for myself ....very Virginia Henderson dont you think?

I KNEW there was a reason to read all that thoery last week! I got the joke!

;)

I am hoping with ALL hope that the ORIGINAL OP does not decide to not go into nursing because of the heated discussion that ALWAYS happens when the right hand thinks it is better than the left.

ORIGINAL OP, do some research with your BON. Get verification as to what is and what is not accepted. DON'T let the "my degree is better than your degree" chatter discourage you from caring for patients.

You would think we were on a merry-go-round on the elementary play yard sometimes..... WTH?????

Dust off your Crocs, Danskos, Nikes and your 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 year old diploma and treat patients. period.

Race you to the SWINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

well congratulations ....would it break your heart to know that suesquatch and i are about to finish up our excelsior program and that as a adn our license will say "registered professional nurse" ... i don't agree with all this " i'm only a professional if i have a bsn or msn.. bs , professionalism depends on your character, behavior and work ethic. not how many letters you can stuff behind your name... i am a proud lvn and will always accredit my success as a rn to the many years i spent as a lvn.

please do not take offense to this, but you are right. lpn's are not professional nurses. they are vocational nurses. i agree you are honorable and skilled, but not professionals. i am an rn with a bsn and am currently in graduate school. i have an extensive critial care background with specialty certifications. i am an acls, pals, and tncc instructor. i have worked very hard for my education and certifications, and am very proud of my hard work. you may have a vocation, but i am a professional, and i think most other rn's would agree with this.
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i was thinking the very same thing...lol

i knew there was a reason to read all that thoery last week! i got the joke!

;)

Specializes in CCU, CVICU, ER.
Pride is a great thing it also makes people fall hard too.

LPN to you may not be "Professionals" but then I do not go around shouting" I AM A PARAMEDIC I am a PROFESSIONAL to the EMT'S I work with, not do I with the LPN'S" I see them as a "Professional" they had to go to school and so they can't do IVs and Push some meds. Whooopie:uhoh3:

There is a difference but more along the lines of Nurse assistant and RN then LPN and RN.

Again I think you feel threatened by those taking a different route then you and you have to be in a closed box way of thinking.

She was a EXCEPTION( The EMT) to the norm, as said I have seen some crappy RNs who went through university, just like I am sure there are crappy EMTS, EMTP and I know there are MDs, online or not.

I agree, there are RN's, EMT's, MD's and LPN's who are poor, and those who are excellent. While I am saddened by Suesquatch opinion of herself, I do not wish to be put in the category that she places herself in. That was the reason for my post to her. I do not emote, I state facts. LPN's do very meaningful work, but the FACT is they go to a vocational school for 10-12 months. I have worked with excellent LPN's who do a fantastic job, but they are paid and at times treated poorly because they lack a formal education. I have urged many of them to go on and get a college degree. I went to college for 4 years, have a college degree, and will soon be a PA with a Masters of Medical Science. There is a difference between my education and an LPN's. Just because I am stating this FACT does not mean I am going around shouting "I'm a professional and your not", that I am prideful, and that I have a big head. I can assure you, I am not threatened by those who become RN's through Excelsior. I already have my degree and career. I was only stating in my experience what I have seen and heard about the perception of getting ones RN through Excelsior.

Specializes in CCU, CVICU, ER.
well congratulations ....would it break your heart to know that suesquatch and i are about to finish up our excelsior program and that as a adn our license will say "registered professional nurse" ... i don't agree with all this " i'm only a professional if i have a bsn or msn.. bs , professionalism depends on your character, behavior and work ethic. not how many letters you can stuff behind your name... i am a proud lvn and will always accredit my success as a rn to the many years i spent as a lvn.

does not break my heart at all...congratulations to you both on moving forward in your education.

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