Letters from instructors while distance learning

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm an Excelsior nursing student waiting for a CPNE date and I'm trying to do a student nurse externship at my local VA hospital. The problem is they want a letter of reference from a nursing instructor along with a check off sheet with the skills I have covered thus far Has anyone else dealt with this problem and if so what have you done? Was Excelsior helpful? Thanks!

[caliotter3]

Never heard of anyone attempting what you are doing. I suspect that when you speak to someone at EC they will tell you that they can't help you until you have successfully completed the CPNE. Thus far, no EC instructor has had any contact with you in order to be able to check you off on any skills. They may or may not allow you to carry a checkoff sheet at your CPNE, but they also might state that it won't be allowed, so as not to disturb the CPNE testing process. Hard to say. Good luck. Let us know the outcome.

[strengthcouragewisdm]

Never heard of anyone attempting what you are doing. I suspect that when you speak to someone at EC they will tell you that they can't help you until you have successfully completed the CPNE. Thus far, no EC instructor has had any contact with you in order to be able to check you off on any skills. They may or may not allow you to carry a checkoff sheet at your CPNE, but they also might state that it won't be allowed, so as not to disturb the CPNE testing process. Hard to say. Good luck. Let us know the outcome.

Actually this is not correct information. You do not have to complete the CPNE for this, and your dedication as a distance learner is an example of your learning abilities and committment to your nursing eduation. I have done exactly as you are attempting with an externship and I commend you. Believe me you will find this beneficial in the future; it wieghs heavily with perspective employers that you persued some type of clinical experiences. I am not certain if you are a 50% student, LPN or medic, but you can get specific letters from those previous clinical experiences.

Send me a pm and I will share with you what I did to get the letters of recommendation from EC to qualify.

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

Actually this is not correct information. You do not have to complete the CPNE for this, and your dedication as a distance learner is an example of your learning abilities and committment to your nursing eduation. I have done exactly as you are attempting with an externship and I commend you. Believe me you will find this beneficial in the future; it wieghs heavily with perspective employers that you persued some type of clinical experiences. I am not certain if you are a 50% student, LPN or medic, but you can get specific letters from those previous clinical experiences.

Send me a pm and I will share with you what I did to get the letters of recommendation from EC to qualify.

Thanks, any help is appreciated. I only wish Excelsior did more to offer clinical experiences to those who want them.