Need help from ALL nurses!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Education, Community Health.

Hi Nurses!

I have been an LVN for almost a year-- and I love it so much. I took my instructors advice and have been working Med/Surg and now ICU. Needless to say I've leard so much.

Here's my dilemma. I'm wanting to become and RN. Currently I am seeking to get my ASN with Excelsior College,but now I'm wondering-- did I make the right decision? Will I be missing out on a LOT of things not going to a traditional school? Do you think working in a med/surg environment that I am getting the 'skills' that I'd be getting in traditional RN school?

Here in San Antonio there are only two associate's RN programs and they're so backed up-- it's rediculous! There are a few BSN programs, one of which isn't so backed up but it's 'spensive!

Some info, please. I greatly appreciate it!

Dave :no:

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Until you have some more experience you may find the excelsior program a little more difficult. From what I understand, some states do not accept their program and will not license you as an RN so if there is any chance of moving, check into this. I had a friend who had been an LVN for 4 yrs who went through the program about 10 yrs ago. She did fairly well but definitely had to study and had no fun until she got through it. She also had a teacher that was being ridiculously nitpicky when she went to her clinical exam. Your teachers in a regular school are generally not as nitpicky because they can see you all the time whereas the exam instructor only gets a few hours to see you work - so you have to basically be perfect including remembering to knock on pt's doors and wait for an answer before entering.

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Check with the licensing association to find out which education program they accept for registration.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Education, Community Health.

Hi All!

Don't plan on moving out of Texas and luckily Texas accepts Excelsior grads. I'm mainly worried that I wouldn't get the same experience I would in a traditional program.

Dave

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Well, you are dealing with the hand dealt to you; which is probably why more on line programs are creeping up. Many are frustrated with the long waiting lists and rigors of changing schedules with jobs that act like adversaries because people wish to rise in their careers. I would investigate other states I could even remotely be interested in living in the next 10 years or so, and if they accept Excelsior, then, I say to go for it.

I have always felt that passing the clinical portion is a bit easier traditionally because these professors have developed a relationship with their students; know their strengths, weaknesses and the fact that many perform very well until they are placed under pressure to perform for a skills evaluation. My friend broke sterile technique twice and the professor told her that she knows that under other circumstances it would not have happened and passed her. Now, from what I understand, clinical instructors from Excelsior are very rigid and to the point-you either get it or you don't; if they deem that you didn't, out you may go. I don't say this to place fear in you, but that is something to consider.

In my state, people have to travel far up in NY to do their clinical for Excelsior, pay a great deal for the review and the clinical experience. Quite a few did not fare well the first time and had to spend that money a second and sometimes a third time. If you do decide, make sure that when it is time for the CPNE that you get those skills down to a fine line, and good luck. I do believe that the med-surg would be helpful, though.

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