Newsflash

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2004

That's not the point of the EC program though. If you want clinical instruction, then go to a local Community or Junior College for your ADN. EC is there to take what you already know and use it as a basis for an ADN.
Besides, can you really take time off from work/life to attend clinicals? I'll bet that was one of the reasons that you chose EC.
Chip

Well, yes, I could take the time off from life for clinical instruction. I can't imagine not wanting extra clinical practice, if available. To each her/his own :)

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 27, 2004

I chose EC because I couldn't find a local community college or junior college that would allow me to work at my present job and attend classes, they also wouldn't accept ANY previous college credits I had (I have a BA), and they said as a student I would be the equivalent to a high school graduate. So much for a career change using a traditional school!!!

The purpose of EC or any distance higher education program is for adults to attend school and continue to work.

As far as a clinical class, sure I would take time from life for it - how is that different than the endless time I take off for studying?

It would be terrific if you could just take/ learn whatever component of the clinical material that you are weak in. Just a thought since we are discussing it.

:balloons:

bellcollector · Nov 27, 2004

The way I see it that is what the workshops are for is to give us a bit of hands on practice for the CPNE. Also it is my understanding that quite a lot of hospitals offer a pretty extensive externship for their new RN grads. That is the type of hospital I intend to try to work in. JMHO

Justmeandmycat · Nov 27, 2004

I chose EC because I couldn't find a local community college or junior college that would allow me to work at my present job and attend classes, they also wouldn't accept ANY previous college credits I had (I have a BA), and they said as a student I would be the equivalent to a high school graduate. So much for a career change using a traditional school!!!
The purpose of EC or any distance higher education program is for adults to attend school and continue to work.
As far as a clinical class, sure I would take time from life for it - how is that different than the endless time I take off for studying?
It would be terrific if you could just take/ learn whatever component of the clinical material that you are weak in. Just a thought since we are discussing it.
:balloons:

I agree with everything you've said here. The thing that completely amazed me in my experience was that the traditional schools here won't accept any of my previous college credit either as a BA. I've proven my ability to work at the college level and my interest in nursing by becoming a CNA and an LPN. And that's not good enough? This is where the schools are in the business to sell degrees and things have turned into an academic game of chutes and ladders. Buyer beware. I'm diving through the EC window as soon as possible.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 27, 2004

The way I see it that is what the workshops are for is to give us a bit of hands on practice for the CPNE.

I would say it probably is more accurate that it lets you know what to expect, and how EC does it (this is especially related to care plans).

In my experience, if you couldn't already do the skills required for safe patient care, no three day practice session was going to change that. But if you could, the workshops give you some insights into what to expect.

It is very consistent with EC's general approach of letting you demonstrate that you know what you know, in as objective an environment as possible, and giving you credit for it.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 27, 2004

I'm diving through the EC window as soon as possible.

Come on in, "the water's fine." Glad to have you! There are never enough good ones (always room for more), and the more good ones get out there, the more the profession will recognize the importance of nontraditional nursing education.

Welcome! And good luck!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 27, 2004

I agree 100%. I think it would be a "perfect program" if it included clinical instruction as well. Maybe the cpne would not seem so dreadful if clinical instruction was offered from EC.

But that's not the nature of nontraditional/distance learning! The idea is, here is what you need to know, go out and learn it, and come back when you are ready to show us what you know!

The CPNE manual is 7-1/2 pounds of exhaustive detail of what you are expected to know. Just like the outlines for each of the semesters (which are represented by each of those exams), the CPNE study guide gives you everything you need to know, to go out and learn what you will need to know!

If you want face to face, hands on instruction, then you don't want distance/nontrad learning. And that's OK--there are plenty of traditional, "brick and mortar" schools out there. Excelsior College is also one of them. You can actually attend classes in Albany, at Excelsior College. And I'm sure there are some in your city too.

If you don't want distance learning, that's fine. But to suggest that what is wrong is distance learning is that it isn't more traditional is, to me, a wee bit ludicrous.

JMHO.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 27, 2004

I agree with Chris-the-girl. If you do not have a solid clinical background, then you probably should consider a trad. program. EC is no cakewalk, and it is not easier than a trad. program. EC's program is geared toward showing what you know, and those without a good clinical background have a very hard time with it- especially when it comes to CPNE time.

Incidentally, you may be able to do an externship at a local hospital to gain aome good clinical experience while getting paid for it. Our facility allows students to do externships once they are within a year of graduating. Ask around your area and see what you find.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 27, 2004

A word to the wise--there is a lot of variability between externships in different hospitals.

In the one where I externed, I was just a well paid nurses' aide. I rarely got to practice any of the skills I had learned in training, unless the nurse I directly worked with took an interest. As this meant more work for them, that didn't happen much.

When I attempted to change units, I got a manager who was even less understanding (or possibly understood less--she was not the brightest candle on the cake about a lot of things), and wound up being given a heavier load than the other "techs." The RN's on that unit were very negative, and added insult to injury--my food would be taken from the fridge (I got where I locked it in my locker), I was dressed down and chewed up for no particular reason.

One would think that a unit, or at least a hospital, would welcome nurse externs because that means more RN's real soon that already know the ropes. It doesn't always happen that way. Make sure it does for you....

Good luck!

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2004

But that's not the nature of nontraditional/distance learning! The idea is, here is what you need to know, go out and learn it, and come back when you are ready to show us what you know!
The CPNE manual is 7-1/2 pounds of exhaustive detail of what you are expected to know. Just like the outlines for each of the semesters (which are represented by each of those exams), the CPNE study guide gives you everything you need to know, to go out and learn what you will need to know!
If you want face to face, hands on instruction, then you don't want distance/nontrad learning. And that's OK--there are plenty of traditional, "brick and mortar" schools out there. Excelsior College is also one of them. You can actually attend classes in Albany, at Excelsior College. And I'm sure there are some in your city too.
If you don't want distance learning, that's fine. But to suggest that what is wrong is distance learning is that it isn't more traditional is, to me, a wee bit ludicrous.
JMHO.

I would be the last person to knock DL . I'm not quite sure where in my post that you thought that I was insinuating DL is wrong or that I don't want to learn by distance. All I am saying is that it wouldn't be such a bad idea to incorporate a clinical in EC's program. For this you think my suggestion of a hands on clinical is "ludicrous". Seems a bit strong to me. Actually, I am a little nervous about the cpne and was really just commenting on how a hands on clinical would maybe alleviate some of the fear associated with the cpne.

Ideally, we all want to step out onto the floor feeling confident.I am not even sure if this would be an issue or not whether ones nursing program is trad or nontrad. No nursing program is going to be "perfect. I realize that, however, adding a clinical component to EC's nursing program would not make it a "traditional" program. More and more hybrid programs are popping up and include some hands on clinical. Does the fact that there is some face to face instruction exclude a program from being described as nontrad/distance learning? I don't think so.

JMHO

Justmeandmycat · Nov 27, 2004

Come on in, "the water's fine." Glad to have you! There are never enough good ones (always room for more), and the more good ones get out there, the more the profession will recognize the importance of nontraditional nursing education.
Welcome! And good luck!

Thank you, Chris. It's nice to hear some encouraging words from somewhere! This is the long term goal, of course. The primary one, at the moment, is to put out a few financial fires but EC, I think, gives me some hope and something to shoot for. Thank you for setting an example for the rest of us and for being so generous with your advice.

chip193 · Nov 28, 2004

I would be the last person to knock DL . I'm not quite sure where in my post that you thought that I was insinuating DL is wrong or that I don't want to learn by distance. All I am saying is that it wouldn't be such a bad idea to incorporate a clinical in EC's program. For this you think my suggestion of a hands on clinical is "ludicrous". Seems a bit strong to me. Actually, I am a little nervous about the cpne and was really just commenting on how a hands on clinical would maybe alleviate some of the fear associated with the cpne.
Ideally, we all want to step out onto the floor feeling confident.I am not even sure if this would be an issue or not whether ones nursing program is trad or nontrad. No nursing program is going to be "perfect. I realize that, however, adding a clinical component to EC's nursing program would not make it a "traditional" program. More and more hybrid programs are popping up and include some hands on clinical. Does the fact that there is some face to face instruction exclude a program from being described as nontrad/distance learning? I don't think so.
JMHO

No one comes out of nursing school - any nursing school - completely confident in all aspects of the job. My wife didn't - and she did a traditional program. I didn't - and I did EC. But my Orientation to the ER and her Orientation to the ICU did it for both of us.

If you want a clinical component, take the workshops. If three days isn't enough for you, try the week-long one in Salt Lake City.

Just remember, you're not going to be an expert in the job on day one.

Chip