Problems with Excelsior grads performance

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jul 26, 2004

What an exceptional first thread!!! I'd add, if I could, how did the EC grad nurse compare to graduates of traditional schools, in the questions above.

Great, great thread!!

RN34TX · Aug 4, 2004

I'm so disappointed.

All of this "wisdom" I've read about Excelsior graduates on this website. All of these people who have so much to say about how dangerous and incompetent they are. How they have "heard" or "know someone who knows someone" and I actually thought I'd get some real first hand experience from someone who actually supervised or precepted an Excelsior graduate.

Not one reply. I've gotten one account (In CA, no doubt) of an experience and that's it.

I think that says a lot.

I hope that somebody out there actually does have the experience to back up the theory and opinion I've heard so much here.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 5, 2004

Well I can't give you a reasonable reply cause I have never worked with an Excelsior grad. As much as I hear about Excelsior, I have yet to meet anyone who is using this program to attain their next credential, or has graduated. And I have worked several places. I wonder what that may mean?

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 5, 2004

I personally know two EC/Regents graduates. One is a co-worker and I can't help you on how her orientation went because she had already been there for a couple of years when I met her. Currently though she is very competent, is able to care for the sickest infants on our unit and functions as a preceptor for new grads. She was an LPN/LVN for a few years before going through EC though she didn't work in NICU before.

The second graduate is my husband and admittedly I might be a bit biased on that one. He was a paramedic though not working in the ED, he worked on an ambulance for 6+ years. He graduated little over 2 years ago, was easily hired into NICU. He went through a standard new grad orientation and after 2 years in his unit he routinely cares for the sickest infants in the unit and was recently oriented to the delivery team (responds to L&D for at-risk births). I can't speak for his co-workers but he seems to have done well in his job and he seems quite a hit with the parents (they remember the "guy", since he's the only male employee in the department).

I met one other EC graduate but never worked with her, just knew her socially. I wound up working where she used to work and no one had any problems with her. She left to follow her husband's new job.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2004

I have worked with 2 EC grads. One was a DON she was so good compassionate and caring. She was a LVN for many years before. She is now a Corperate nurse.The other more recent, a Hospice nurse. I remember working so hard to get this wound vac working right one day she came by and said"let me help you with that" had it on RIGHT within min. She told me she dropped out of EL Centro in Dallas to go to EC. This lady is so good at what she does, I would trust both of these women with any member of my family. That is all I know, hope that helps you.:)

KacyLynnRN · Aug 5, 2004

I work with an fairly new EC grad (went through orientation a year ago) and she seems to be a great and very competent nurse, I can't tell you much about her orientation since I wasn't involved in it, but the one thing I have noticed is she does seem to get nervous and overwhelmed when things get crazy, and she is scared to draw blood. But you know what? She might be that same way no matter what school she went to. She was an LPN for several years before going through EC. I hope my experience helps you.

Kacy

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Aug 5, 2004

Well I can't give you a reasonable reply cause I have never worked with an Excelsior grad. As much as I hear about Excelsior, I have yet to meet anyone who is using this program to attain their next credential, or has graduated. And I have worked several places. I wonder what that may mean?

Do you necessarily know where your coworkers went to school? I've only had that experience with smaller team work settings, and sometimes not even then.

It might mean that Excelsior graduates look and behave and practice just like any other nurses.

Or maybe you just haven't actually come across any at all.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Aug 5, 2004

I'm so disappointed.
All of this "wisdom" I've read about Excelsior graduates on this website. All of these people who have so much to say about how dangerous and incompetent they are. How they have "heard" or "know someone who knows someone" and I actually thought I'd get some real first hand experience from someone who actually supervised or precepted an Excelsior graduate.
Not one reply. I've gotten one account (In CA, no doubt) of an experience and that's it. I think that says a lot. I hope that somebody out there actually does have the experience to back up the theory and opinion I've heard so much here.

Well, since no one has come rushing over to tell bad stuff (how refreshing!!), maybe if we open it up?

Here's an invitation to post if you have worked with, precepted or oriented an Excelsior College nursing school graduate and had a specifically positive experience, since that seems to be the direction we are going in.....

And to borrow from the OP:

Again, I'm looking for actual accounts and experiences from people who have REAL experience with Excelsior grads. I'm NOT looking for:
1. People's philosophy/opinions on Excelsior or distance education in general
2. Failed ex-Excelsior students on a rampage.
3. People debating the CA board's recent decisions

RN34TX · Aug 5, 2004

Thank you all for your responses!!

They all sound so positive!!

All of the EC grads that I have been exposed to in 7 years and 4 different states nursing have enjoyed great reputations where they worked and some were in management at some capacity and were very well respected.

I never heard a negative word about the grads or program until this past year when I started reading so much on the nursing websites, which made me think that maybe I was still somehow sheltered from all of it even though I knew so many of them.

And like Chris pointed out, there were probably some that I ran across at one time or another but was not aware of it because you don't necessarily know where all of your co-workers or managers went to school.

The whole point of my OP was to find actual people who worked with them and could give me something "solid" to stand on for all of the bad things that I've run across recently online. I also wanted to find out if the reasons for state boards to suddenly (after 30 some years of accepting them as NCLEX candidates) begin to question and review the program had anything to do with job performance/competency/safety issues.

Like I stated earlier in my OP, I didn't want this to be a California board debate, but I did want to find some actual people who may have been doing the complaining to the boards of nursing and could tell me what it was all about and why they saw a need to review accepting the program.

I've read so many "There have been complaints" type comments and I always want to ask "From who?"

And by that I don't mean the old standard hospital organization or nursing union response, I'm well aware that they have been making noise for their own reasons.

I wanted to find individuals who actually witnessed these graduates not being safe or competent and what exactly they have been doing.

On the other hand, like Chris stated, I also welcome any further positive experiences that people may have had. They have all been very nice to read.

So far all of these responses have been what I've experienced in everyday work life, which are great.

Thanks everyone for your comments so far.

Sheri257 · Aug 5, 2004

Well, I'll leave this one alone, but would just like to say I'm sure there are competent EC grads out there too.

Happy hunting.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 5, 2004

I had the opportunity in the past to work with several EC grads who were extremely good nurses- that's why I decided to do their program myself. All of them had been LPNs prior to doing the EC program, though. My only EMT-RN experiences were with study buddies, but they were all very knowledgeable students with a lot of drive to learn how to do things "the RN way." They really kicked butt and were pretty well-rounded.