Kansas no longer accepting EC

[willtm]

Read this on another board, checked for myself. Under FAQs 1st question:

Kansas will no longer accept EC grads for licensure or endorsement

Q. Do distance learning and non-traditional programs qualify for licensure in Kansas? A. The Kansas State Board of Nursing has received numerous inquiries lately regarding "distance learning" and non-traditional programs that do not include a clinical component in the curriculum.

The statutes and regulations establish that:

(1) Applicants for licensure must have graduated from an approved school of nursing (KSA 65-1115 [a] [2] and KSA 65-1116 [a] [3]);

(2) To be approved, a nursing program must provide clinical experience (KAR 60-2-104 [c] & [d]);

(3) Furthermore, the faculty in each nursing program must "direct clinical instruction as an integral part of the program" (KAR 60-2-104 [a] [3]);

(4) The clinical component of the program must entail "an active process in which the student participates in nursing activities while being guided by a member of the faculty" (KAR 60-1-104 [e]); and

(5) An out-of-state school must maintain standards at least equal to in-state schools approved by the board in order for the board to consider graduates from that school qualified for licensure. (KSA 65-1119 [f].

Performance examinations alone do not meet the requirements of direct clinical instruction as an integral part of the program or an active process in which the student participates in nursing activities while being guided by a member of the faculty. Therefore, if programs do not have a comprehensive clinical component, graduates will not qualify for licensure in Kansas. Graduates of nursing programs that lack a clinical component who have obtained a nursing license in another state will not be qualified to obtain licensure in Kansas by endorsement. These persons must meet the Kansas qualifications for licensure.

If you have had clinical education please contact the education department.

[CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P]

Don't know where you heard this but I doubt it. California just appropriated $230,000 to fight EC's lawsuit on this. (Yes, EC filed suit after the California decision).

That doesn't sound like they're working out a deal to me. If anything, it looks like the board is sticking with their original decision. Otherwise, why would they appropriate a lot of money to fight the lawsuit?

Glad to hear EC is fighting that. CA HAS to approiate the money to defend themselves. They know they are in for a fight. CA. has a ton of foreign educated nurses, who pass the NCLEX....so....who is discriminating?

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Couldn't a student argue that their EC education is an extension of their LPN education, and therefore the clinical component in their LPN program, was an intergral part of EC's program, and the performance exam is just the culmination of that clinical component? And the faculty in that program does, direct clinical instruction by requiring it as a per-req, and testing it in the CPNE. From the way they have worded it, it seems like it is more than possible. But of course I would advise alot of distance ed students do this at once, before they can back track and change their rules to be more specific.

If someone's experience was in their LVN program, it cannot be a part of their EC program, so no, that couldn't be argued.

If the clinical faculty was not physically present to observe, instruct, etc., the clinical component, then they cannot be considered to direct it, because they didn't direct it. So, no, you cannot say or argue that, either.

The CPNE tests clinical knowledge and skills acquired elsewhere, just like the academic exams test knowledge acquired elsewhere.

If it isn't what happens, you cannot say that it does! Simple.

However, that does not mean that EC graduates do not have the appropriate skills. It means that some individuals for whatever reason (can't think outside the box, heard a rumor, met an EC grad who actually wasn't a good nurse--I'm sure there are a couple somewhere) do not like the idea of getting your own training and then coming back to demo it. They are entitled to that opinion and if they can get their state's BON/BNE to go along with it, well, then, that's what they did.

More's the pity.

But we don't win any points if we suggest things that are not true. We lose when we do that.

[can'twait]

I'm graduating soon as an LVN. Waiting list for ADN program is averaging 2 years. I'm in CA right now. Moving to NV in June for a 1 1/2 yrs, then back to CA again. While in NV I was planning on taking either EC or Deacon or even ccconline & Indiana Univ online. It's just more convenient for me and I learn better with independent study than classroom settings. After reading this thread, I felt unsure, mad, confuse and just don't know what to do now. Please, help. I need advise!