Is it only a matter of time?

If you look at many state requirements, you will see that some require you to work a certain amount of hours as an RN before they will endorse you and others require you to take extra clinical hours and so forth.. some states grandfathered people in and other states are giving plenty of notice (until the end of 2009 ect). There are those exceptions but I'm hoping they come around.

So, if it is your only way to be a RN (like it is mine), then don't live your life in what-ifs- write the BON of your state and see if they are having any meetings regarding EC in the near future. I live in FL and FL went through a crazy ordeal with EC and it ended up working out for LPNs. I don't intend to move so I guess I'm okay :)

I do tend to ride on the "What-ifs". It's just a little scary to think that it could happen. I guess the worry of some states not allowing EC students and some hospitals won't hire EC students gets scary . . .

Dave

Actually, I do think it is only a matter of time before states no longer license graduates with non-traditional clinicals. I don't think they have a problem with the theory portions being on line or independent study...but the problem comes with clinical hours. If it doesn't get totally banned the name is already getting a bad reputation. I graduated in 2005 and if I had to do it all over again today...i wouldn't because of the ever changing stipulations.

I'm actually surprised other colleges haven't developed similar programs. I can see how it can be dissed by employers, but I can also see how it is so beneficial for people whose employers just care that you have the "RN" behind your name.

I don't think EC's nursing program is going anywhere. There are dozens of other states that say "a-okay!" to EC's grads, so I am pretty comfortable with it--until I decide to read the threads pertaining to the Georgia issues.

I was comfortable with it too until I learned that after completing all the requirements except the CPNE that I could no longer be licensed in the state I live. I was actually set to enter a traditional program but declined b/c EC made more sense for me and my family....well now I'm out thousands of dollars and trying to figure out where to go from here!

Actually, I do think it is only a matter of time before states no longer license graduates with non-traditional clinicals. I don't think they have a problem with the theory portions being on line or independent study...but the problem comes with clinical hours. If it doesn't get totally banned the name is already getting a bad reputation. I graduated in 2005 and if I had to do it all over again today...i wouldn't because of the ever changing stipulations.

I am afraid I have to agree with you. I went w/ EC, but looking back, I was really taking a big chance. There are just too many chances (expensive ones at that) to fail. All to just find out you might not be able to practice in certain states (including your own) without jumping through many hoops. In my state of Georgia, EC students have found themselves in the sad situation of not being able to get a GA license. That might change, but not without a price.

Not to badmouth EC, they have given thousands of people the tools to better their lives, but I would have this to say: if you are considering EC because of family obligations, do not be fooled. It is exactly because of those family obligations that you should probably consider a traditional route. With EC, you will have been just as unavailable, spent just as much money and still might not succeed. If it is a matter of time/finances then please, just take out the loans and find a part time job if need be. Many jobs are offering loan repayment as a means to attract new grads. As many EC students as there have been, there have been WAY more traditional students with families, jobs, children, etc that have gone through traditional programs. Just do whatever it takes.

What I hope EC does is to develop the ability to aid students with setting up local clinical sites, much the way many of the nurse practitioner programs do. For this option the CPNE could be dropped and the students could focus on learning and not about failing the big test/not being able to get licensed.

Ivan

What I will do, (and what I think we all should do), is throughout our careers keep a very detailed records of the clinical oriented positions that we hold, our "hours" in that position, and the specific clinical areas. And get a review from a supervisor, with a signature. So this for every position held, and if you ever choose to move to a sate that has stipulations, or doesn't except EC at all with the "not enough clinical hours" argument, you have valid grounds to dispute it, and for a lawsuit.

I mean really how can an RN in clinical practice fulltime for 2 or more years not have had enough clinical hours.

What I will do, (and what I think we all should do), is throughout our careers keep a very detailed records of the clinical oriented positions that we hold, our "hours" in that position, and the specific clinical areas. And get a review from a supervisor, with a signature. So this for every position held, and if you ever choose to move to a sate that has stipulations, or doesn't except EC at all with the "not enough clinical hours" argument, you have valid grounds to dispute it, and for a lawsuit.

I mean really how can an RN in clinical practice fulltime for 2 or more years not have had enough clinical hours.

Most of the states that have EC stipulations have options for EC grads to enter their states through reciprocity and evidence of clinical practice. The time requirements vary anywhere from months to 2 years. The problem is for those people (like here in Georgia) who live in a "non-EC" state when they graduate. They would have to then move to another state, work the hours, and then return. For most this is simply not an option. There are other possible work arounds, but then one would have jumped through more hoops and spent more time/money than one would have if they had just gone the traditional route. As I have read through this forum over the past few years and other EC forums (remember "alittlesarcasm.com"?) I have read over and over again about students on the brink, breakdowns, crying, etc, all because of the stress/expense/failure related to the CPNE. Now there are those that have survived all of that only to find out they can't get a license in their own state. How is that worth it? I have discussed this with many traditional RN students/grads (including my wife) and have not come across any who have related stress with that kind of intensity. Not to say it doesn't exist, I just haven't met anyone. As I watched my wife go through, for her it was a fun, great learning experience. There was stress for her to be sure, but not on the EC/CPNE level.

For those that decide to go with EC, then good luck to them. I just hope they really understand what they are getting into. Judging by all of the questions on this and other forums, they don't.

I think it really depends on your state. I have no desire to live in either GA or CA so I'm cool.

I think it really depends on your state. I have no desire to live in either GA or CA so I'm cool.

I hear ya Sue, but you never know where life can take you..... We all have our individual decisions to make, I've already made mine!!!!

To those who think EC or distance learning programs will be wiped out, it's like saying technology does not exist.....ya think!

I think it really depends on your state. I have no desire to live in either GA or CA so I'm cool.

And when I graduated GA wasn't an issue and so it was no problem for me. But now for those currently enrolled it is a problem. I have several friends at work who this will affect. I'll bet they don't even know about this yet.

There are more states now that have a problem with EC than there were when I started. This is sad taking into account that EC has raised its standards on who it will accept now. I can completely see where the BONs are coming from. Online/distance education has been around long enough now that it is time for EC to update its approach. They need to scrap the CPNE. It is NOT an accurate measure of nursing ability or potential success. They need to work out a means of setting up local/regional clinicals. That would go along way to appease the BONs and to help EC students focus on learning and not stressing the silly, worthless CPNE where you can fail for touching a pen with a gloved hand or not signing a MAR at a testing station (know someone who failed for that). In a clinical your preceptor would have simply said, "Don't forget to sign the MAR." or explained about proper glove use/aseptic technique. She would not have sent the student walking down the hall of shame to home...how ridiculous.

Respectfully, Ivan, we disagree.

The boards are concerned about money. Period. They have never been able to prove that EC grads are anything less than superior.