any medics in excelsior?

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · May 1, 2005

Excelsior used to be Regents.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · May 1, 2005

Ok as a current Director of Nursing and having been a Chief FLight nurse with 20+ years as a paramedic. I"m going to put my 2 cents in.

To all you EMT-P's out there. Programs like Excelsion can be a godsend. But be carefull. CHeck with the board of nursing were you work or plan to work. Each state is a little different. Just like when treating patients short cuts can get you into trouble. Sometimes the best path is to do it by the book. If you work in a place that accepts Exclesior, and your sure you're never going to move, then go for it.

If however you don't know were your going to be tommorow. Take the "safe" route and go traditional. Start taking all those prereques, and get all your ducks in a row. You'd be supprised how much money is available for people going to nursing school.

Don't base your career on what you here on internet listserves. We are all different and what worked for me, may not work for you. And there can be alot of missleading or downright wrong information online. Do your homework. Check in with the boards of nursing, find out about funding.

Firemedic7 · May 5, 2005

Hello Brother and Sister Firefighters!!

I am just beginning my first Nursing class after finishing all of my pre-reqs.

I am a paid Fire/Medic and rescue instructor. I really hope to work part-time at a Level 1 trauma center :)

I too have some cc transport experience and really enjoyed the change of pace from 911 stuff.

I think Excelsior is awesome, I am sure that there is no way I could do it any other way.

I called the Ohio State Board of Nursing and they said that Excelsior grads can take state boards, no problem. Do I need to check anywhere else as well?

We firefighters need to keep checking on each other here periodically.

Stay Safe

Sheri257 · May 5, 2005

Do I need to check anywhere else as well?

Probably any state where you think you might live in the future. Different states have different requirements.

:coollook:

blufoxtrot · May 5, 2005

Hey I was just talking with the director of the ER that I work at and we were discussing Online RN programs. She said that she did not hire a medic to RN that took the onling program because he bragged about how quickly he finished the program and that he didn't think he needed the hands on experience that comes from a traditional RN program. Just something to keep in mind when you finish and head out for interviews.

Firemedic7 · May 6, 2005

Hey I was just talking with the director of the ER that I work at and we were discussing Online RN programs. She said that she did not hire a medic to RN that took the onling program because he bragged about how quickly he finished the program and that he didn't think he needed the hands on experience that comes from a traditional RN program. Just something to keep in mind when you finish and head out for interviews.

I bet he will do well about anywhere he goes :rotfl:

Thanks for the advice

MedicGram · May 6, 2005

I bet he will do very well. It was probably the bragging, certainly not his skills. after all the shock, shock-tubes-IVs-EJs and so on, I find it hard to believe that any experienced nurse mgr would doubt his skills. Let's face it, generally speaking, we are trained well. (the nursing process is where we need to focus more)

The transition from outside to inside takes a little time. He was probably so excited to have such a great accomplishment. The motivation alone to keep going is a job in itself.

Excelsior is a wonderful college and I'm glad I switched. It's also much tougher than the traditional way. I would check with your state. EC is also more than happy to answer those questions.

It's been fun !!!

I bet he will do well about anywhere he goes :rotfl:
Thanks for the advice

Sheri257 · May 6, 2005

Let's face it, generally speaking, we are trained well.
Excelsior is a wonderful college and I'm glad I switched. It's also much tougher than the traditional way.

Sorry, but I have to say something here. How would you know if Excelsior is "so much tougher" than a traditional school if you're not attending one? I'm attending a traditional college and I'm in class, lab and clinicals six days a week. There's barely enough time to do the hundreds of pages of assigned reading, not to mention care plans, drug cards and other clinical assignents.

Comments like this frustrate me, mostly because I'm totally sleep deprived from trying to get all this work done. So, I'm not sure where you get the idea that one program is tougher than another. I'm sure you would take offense if I stated that traditional programs are much tougher than EC. I'm not saying that but, hopefully, you see my point.

As far as being trained well, the state of California won't license EC grads so, let's face it, not everyone agrees with that statement either.

:rolleyes:

Firemedic7 · May 6, 2005

I bet he will do very well. It was probably the bragging, certainly not his skills. after all the shock, shock-tubes-IVs-EJs and so on, I find it hard to believe that any experienced nurse mgr would doubt his skills. Let's face it, generally speaking, we are trained well. (the nursing process is where we need to focus more)
The transition from outside to inside takes a little time. He was probably so excited to have such a great accomplishment. The motivation alone to keep going is a job in itself.
Excelsior is a wonderful college and I'm glad I switched. It's also much tougher than the traditional way. I would check with your state. EC is also more than happy to answer those questions.
It's been fun !!!

Don't get me wrong- I'm sure his skills will be fine, this is the route that I am taking, but if you can't sell yourself and get a job, I guess skills don't matter. I have been around medics for 15 years and sometimes we have a problem keeping our egos in check, that's all :)

soapynurse@adel · May 7, 2005

Was just wondering if anyone else has had trouble getting info from Excelsior? I sent a request for info, director of admissions responded, but apparently dropped the ball. Got a response from a second person in admissions that it would take 7-10 days to get info out. This all makes me a little leary of their program and I'm just looking for a certificate!!!!

Have also looked into Canyon College....almost seems too simplified.

Good luck everyone and Happy Nurses Week.

Alice in VA :balloons:

blufoxtrot · May 7, 2005

I've requested information from them on 2 different occasions approx 4 weeks apart and I have yet to hear anything.

I'm getting a little discouraged also. I'm not sure if I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Was just wondering if anyone else has had trouble getting info from Excelsior? I sent a request for info, director of admissions responded, but apparently dropped the ball. Got a response from a second person in admissions that it would take 7-10 days to get info out. This all makes me a little leary of their program and I'm just looking for a certificate!!!!
Have also looked into Canyon College....almost seems too simplified.
Good luck everyone and Happy Nurses Week.
Alice in VA :balloons:

zenman · May 7, 2005

Sorry, but I have to say something here. How would you know if Excelsior is "so much tougher" than a traditional school if you're not attending one? I'm attending a traditional college and I'm in class, lab and clinicals six days a week. There's barely enough time to do the hundreds of pages of assigned reading, not to mention care plans, drug cards and other clinical assignents.
Comments like this frustrate me, mostly because I'm totally sleep deprived from trying to get all this work done. So, I'm not sure where you get the idea that one program is tougher than another. I'm sure you would take offense if I stated that traditional programs are much tougher than EC. I'm not saying that but, hopefully, you see my point.

Distance learning takes a different type of learner. Not everyone can do it on their own vs being in a classroom. I finished Excelsior in the early 80's. The clinicals were tough in that I when I flew into Albany and if I forgot to do a critical element like wash my hands before seeing a patient, I would be sent packing. I was an Army medic who challenged the California state boards, then went to Excelsior for my BSN. I've since done two masters in the traditional way and now going to an online post-masters program. Both type of programs have their positives and negatives but I now prefer distance learning.