Newbie to allnurses... Need advice...please

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 4, 2012

It sounds like you already have your answer-you feel that EC is cutting in line. I did not have that dilemma when I went to EC as I was already an LPN so the hands on basics had been covered in that nursing program. I also went to EMT-I school after I was an RN in preparation to do flight, missed the last 6 months that would have gotten me my medic. Anyway, EC is basically all theory. There is no hands on instruction-the clinical test at the end is just that, a test. You could look at what courses are covered in emt-rn bridge program (and which are skipped) or a traditional program. EC would probably be quicker for you then a traditional program-do not know if you have medic-rn bridge programs near you. I worked with one person that was a medic, went to EC, and he seemed a fish out of water with pt care on a telemetry floor. I also worked with a medic that went to EC, but we worked in the ER together-so he was in his element. You could also shadow a nurse on whatever type of unit that you want to work in and see what their day to day practice is. Aside from cleaning pts and such, there is also the other things that will be expected of you as a new grad RN such as placing feeding tubes, catheters, etc.

good luck!

hoping some medics-rns will chime in for you!

Aliakey · May 4, 2012

I am a paramedic near the end (waiting for the CPNE [the 3-day clinical exam]), and seem to share a similar background with you. I do not see Excelsior as "cutting in line"; in fact, if anything, I find the self-study concept to be more challenging. I've compared my experience with a few nursing students from our local brick n' mortar schools, and have learned that the textbooks and study modules are about the same. However, while they have opportunities to find their weaknesses through lecture discussions and quizzes throughout their classroom time and can work to improve their grades over weeks, we have a big ol' final exam for each course that burns your pocketbook and your pride if you do not have a solid grasp of the studies. Sometimes, motivation to keep studying is hard to keep going on your own. I see spending almost the same amount of time (almost 2 years) earning my GN as any other nursing student at this time. Some can finish sooner, and others take longer.

Clinical hours. Having a background as an ED tech is a benefit, and you'll need to study a lot on your own for the proper techniques of skills we normally do not handle in the back of an ambulance. You'll have an advantage over fresh graduates in certain skills (IVs, for example). One of my friends was proud that she started three IVs and dropped one NG tube *total*, and is set to graduate at the end of the month. I just started three lines in the last 10 hours on shift. But, she'd probably blow me away with sterile field prep and other hospital skills. Clinical skill videos are out there, and the textbooks outline the steps.

As medics, we normally don't handle multiple patients (except MCI situations or the local frat house [lol]), handle a lot of the pumps/bags/tubes/monitors/etc. for patients with chronic conditions, mix insulin, straight cath, do patient teaching for home care, develop nursing diagnoses, and all that good stuff you'll read about in your textbooks. Setting priorities and organization is paramount. The nursing students have an advantage over us in that they shadow an RN to watch the skills, manage the patients, and also develop their own skills and ways of handling priorities with an RN's guidence. That's HUGE. We need to learn these on our own, well beyond our hospital hours required as paramedic students.

Do I have any regrets taking the EC route? Not at all. It has been the best thing for me, and I have learned far more than I could imagine. Hope it does the same for you, if you choose to go this route.

Brian, ASN, RN · May 4, 2012

Happymedic07,

First of all, congrats on your baby on the way! Secondly, you have a very smart friend, who gives great advice (Thanks friend) I am sure you will receive much great advice here! Good Luck with your plans!

Happymedic07 · May 4, 2012

Thank you for such a quick response. I have been doing tons of research and judging from what you 2 have experienced it looking pretty solid. I like the idea of self study, self pace, the RN transitions here in Florida are notorious for being extra rough on medics. I hate the division between the 2, I don't play that game. We all have the same goal to help heal people. Anywho no soapbox sermons till at least my message box is activated... Lol thanks again for the response... Very helpful!!!!

QuenymamiRN · May 5, 2012

EC's RN program is what you take out of it. Some people fly through the program only studying what they have to study to pass. If you take this route then yes you will not be fully prepared as an RN.

Their program is very intensive and there is a lot of work, but if you follow their modules you will learn a LOT of material. In comparison to the LPN program I attended(brick and mortar) and EC, the biggest difference is clinicals. You don't get the hands on learning period. The last class is the CPNE, which is a 2 1/2 day clinical exam in which you prove that you are capable of completing the lab stations and maintaining a sterile field. Making a care plan and evaluating. You will also care for at least 3 patients during that time. If you are able to get a lot of hands on at the hospitals, get help from the staff at the hospitals then that will help you out tremendously.

I recently graduated their program in March and I enjoyed it. I don't think I could have gone to school full time at a brick and mortar school, work full time and take care of my children (I have 4 girls). For this I will always be grateful for EC.

Before enrolling in EC my advise is to find out if you would have to complete any additional clinical time for your state's BON. Many find it frustrating when they complete the program but can't sit for the NCLEX. I believe CA is the only state that doesn't accept EC grads at all.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 5, 2012

I believe CA is the only state that doesn't accept EC grads at all.

Maryland is another -- EC grads had to finish before 12/31/2007 to obtain licensure in Maryland.

MsPC · May 6, 2012

I thought Maryland allowed endorsing after 1,000 hours of working as am RN?

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 6, 2012

I thought Maryland allowed endorsing after 1,000 hours of working as am RN?

Nope.