Is Excelsior the right choice?;)

Nursing Students Excelsior

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I am an LPN and hand been out of school got a little over a year. Wanted to work on RN while working full time ! So researched and found EXCELSIOR,seems like a perfect fit for my busy schedule. Just a lite nervous about going it alone and is the program a good program for obtaining my RN license? Thanks for any advise;)

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Cheryl, when did you enroll and graduate? If you enrolled before 12/2003, California will license you. If later, then less likely. I also have completed a BSN and am 4 classes from my MSN, and I probably couldn't get a California license.

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The California thing... not an issue for me, but I wonder what would happen since I have since rec'd BSN from University Of Alabama? Would they still deny me licensure based on initial degree?

I am about to enroll in Master's program, too. My goodness, Excelsior was great for me, but I would hate to think I couldn't move to any state after subsequent degrees at public universities...

Anyone know anything about this? (Not that I'm planning on moving to Ca).

Every US state, not just CA, bases decisions about basic RN licensure on the initial ("pre-licensure") nursing program you completed to make you eligible for the NCLEX and licensure. Nothing you do, educationally, after that will ever change that, since nothing else you do, education-wise, later on will affect your basic licensure (e.g., a BSN-completion or graduate program doesn't affect your RN license -- you don't have to retake the NCLEX or get a new license).

So, if the original program you completed to first get licensed doesn't meet the educational standards for a particular state for whatever reason, no other education you complete later is going to change that.

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Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.
Cheryl, when did you enroll and graduate? If you enrolled before 12/2003, California will license you. If later, then less likely. I also have completed a BSN and am 4 classes from my MSN, and I probably couldn't get a California license.

Graduated WAAY back in 1993.

I remember knowing, at that time, there were a couple of states that wouldn't license you. I thought CA was one.

Don't really understand their rationale for licensing people up until 2003, what's up w that?

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Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

I've just reviewed, on Excelsior's website, the varying state's/stipulations required.

Looks they are mainly concerned about people lacking OB/GYN clinicals (and something else, can't remember).

But I agree w previous poster, who said some members of SBON are concerned w lack of clinical hrs.

I do NOT mean to inflame anyone by saying this, but I am fairly certain I could have passed the NCLEX after completing the pre-req's and having 7 yrs. as LPN in hospital. Excelsior only documented what I'd already learned.

That is NOT to say going thru program wasn't beneficial, and I did not learn things. I DID. Mostly I learned that a HUGE part of education involves "hoop jumping".

I lamented the hoop jumping at University of Alabama yrs. later during BSN, when I had to ask my...forget what she was called, but it was like a chosen internship...I chose transplant. I was assigned to carry out duties that mainly involved filing and transferring pt info into her phone or laptop, can't remember. BUT IT HAD NO CLINICAL EXPERIENCE OR VALUE. I had a paper to write regarding a clinic experience, and had to ask her "Could I PLEASE come to clinic one day and actually SEE some transplant pts so I can write this paper?" (My school expected me to be in a clinical environment for this.)

So I did. For one day. The rest of the time, as I was supposed to shadow a mentor for clinical experience, I....filed and entered data. But I wrote the stinking paper, thinking all the while I am PAYING for this, and receiving no clinical experience. (please know, NO knock to UAB. Fine program, I did NOT complain, so they had no opportunity to address the issue. It is more a complaint against the clinical co-ordinator of the transplant program who chose to make me ...file. But I actually understand this is rather common.)

HOOP JUMPING!

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You're welcome. I also just wrote a big long post with a bunch of information: https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/ec-distance-learning-808335.html

I also live in Georgia, but I am in the Army and I am actually licensed in Virginia. I am considering getting my GA license as well, but it looks like a headache! I have more than four years of acute care experience (ER) as an RN, so I hope like heck that I won't be told to do a preceptorship. LOL

Where in ga do u reside?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Hi fellow Georgian!!!! I graduated from EC officially in April 2010....what are you waiting for???!!!!! I enrolled in August 2009 and completed the nursing exams and A&P and Micro by December 2009. Because of life's little roadblocks, I had to reschedule my CPNE to February 2010. Passed everything on the first attempt. I love EC and if I could do it after being an LPN for over 20 years, your one-year break from school surely will get you through it. Feel free to email me at my primary address: [email protected]. Good luck and get going!!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Long time, L***!!!!!! I believe that the only thing for endorsement is to provide documentation of at least 1800 'worked' clinical hours. Of course the usual transcripts, background checks, etc., that go along with initial application. I began my battle with them when EC was dissolving the old curriculum as I began the new curriculum. My best 'unsolicited' advice would be to take your documentation to them. Otherwise, they tend to stall by hiding behind the computer screen. At least that's what they did with me. But once I did a 'polite' face-off and told them that I didn't mind stopping by whenever, my problems seemed to just fade away. I don't know if you remember, but they were trying to make me do 750 hours of precept as if I've never been a nurse, when I'd been doing strictly med/surg since 2002. Anyway, I ended up not having to do any once I WALKED my paperwork into the office and handed it to the 'licensing analyst' directly.

OMG! Let me stop! I remember it like it was just yesterday....

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Lynda, LOL!! I remember your post on the EPN about your face-to-face meeting ... hahahahaha!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Where in ga do u reside?

Near Savannah. Love it!

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Near Savannah. Love it!

That's a beautiful place ! Visit there often:)

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Hi fellow Georgian!!!! I graduated from EC officially in April 2010....what are you waiting for???!!!!! I enrolled in August 2009 and completed the nursing exams and A&P and Micro by December 2009. Because of life's little roadblocks I had to reschedule my CPNE to February 2010. Passed everything on the first attempt. I love EC and if I could do it after being an LPN for over 20 years, your one-year break from school surely will get you through it. Feel free to email me at my primary address: [email'][email protected][/email]. Good luck and get going!!!!!

Awesome that makes me excited! I just have to get off the break I have been on From school;) this makes me very confident ;) I think I have around 750 clinical hours do u think I will have same issue with the board?

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.
I just graduated on November 16 from the Excelsior program, passed my NCLEX-RN the first time on December 20 at 75 questions, and received my RN from the Texas Board of Nursing on December 27. Wooo hoo! It took me a bit over a year and a half to complete the educational part of the program and the CPNE; I was not in a rush, and GPA was very important for future educational goals. The cost was comparable to the brick n' mortar nursing schools in my area... about $9000, which included the textbooks that I buy new since I keep them and can't stand having highlighters and writing in them, lol!

I have two emergency department job interviews lined up this month, so the "Excelsior College" stigma that sometimes we hear about obviously doesn't apply in this area. As one of the nurse recruiters told me, "If Texas accepts it, we accept it".

I have no regrets. Even though California (my original home) doesn't accept it, I have no plans to return back there except to visit family. Do make sure your state's BON accepts Excelsior before you apply.

The ability to earn this education and continue working full time as a paramedic was a very important consideration in this decision... I know where you're coming from in that aspect, and is very doable. Just don't expect to have a life ;)

Good luck!

I agree, make SURE your state BON accepts Excelsior, Mine said as long as it was accredited in the state where the college is located, that is good enough for them! Good luck and keep on!

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