Problems with Excelsior grads performance

[RN34TX]

I've never started my own thread before and I know that I'm probably asking for trouble with this popular topic but....

I'm looking for actual accounts and first hand experiences from staff nurses precepting/orienting new graduates who got their initial RN degree through Excelsior College or from people who have supervised them in any capacity.

I want to know:

1. How well did the orientation/internship/preceptorship go? How did they perform as new grads compared to others coming from "tradtional" ADN or BSN programs? Did they need extra time or less time in orientation before they could function independently? (as much as any new grad can be expected to be independent that is.)

2. How well did they perform once they were on their own and no longer being precepted/oriented?

3. What type of unit/specialty/patient population was the Excelsior grad working on?

4. What type of background did they have prior to being an RN?

Such as were they previously an LPN/LVN or paramedic who worked in the ER, Med/Surg, etc.

5. Identify if there were any specific problem areas such as specific skills or clinical judgement that you thought might be unique to the Excelsior grad that might not be as problematic for the traditional ADN or BSN new grad.

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

Thank You

[tmiller027]

if I can throw in my 2cents here. It seems there are good and bad nurses from EVERY program. At my nursing home, we have some excellent nurses who went to our community college.

I'm currently in the program and a very well respected private school. I've heard the instructors on a few occasions badmouth the community college nurses. Yet, I've talked to a few nurses who've known nurses who went to my school or even a major university who were incompetent. I think in every graduating class one or two makes it through who has no business being a nurse, no matter what the school is. Just my opinion.

Tim

[zenman]

I've worked with a few EC grads and never had any trouble with any of them...including myself! :rotfl:

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

I work with several EC grads in the ER setting and in L & D. Couldn't tell the difference of any of the nurses. It is totally an individual thing. I even work with a FNP that got her BSN through EC and then went to a state college Master Practioners program. She is awesome. I would also like to add that the California debate, in my opinion, is not about Excelsior's "quality", but rather the State of California seeing 1,500 plus nursing grads a year from an out of State School getting licensed by endorsement....they want the tuition money and seats in their state schools. Turf battle...that is all.

Good day mate...........C

[Sheri257]

I would also like to add that the California debate, in my opinion, is not about Excelsior's "quality", but rather the State of California seeing 1,500 plus nursing grads a year from an out of State School getting licensed by endorsement....they want the tuition money and seats in their state schools. Turf battle...that is all.

Look, I'm trying to honor the OP's request to not get into the California debate. But if people are going to ignore that request, and make completely false statements like this, I won't be able to stay quiet much longer.

[yvonnemuse, BSN, RN]

greetings.This is my first post and I am quite interested in this subject.In my personal experience working on a very busy med -surg floor,I worked with several RNs who got their degree from EC who were LPNs first.OUR unit did not give them much in the way of orientation as they were already so familiar with the unit , being long time employees.Mainly they shadowed the float RN to get repeated experience on the "crisis" areas on the floor and the issues pertinent to their new scope of practice.Their quality of care remained as excellent as when they were LPNs. I worked with a fresh EC grad who was a paramedic first.He was rather stiff with the bedside manner of nursing but was awesome with the technical stuff.I am an LPN and an EC student myself. I have compared my knowledge with other LPNs who are taking a traditional RN course and cannot fault my learning. Perhaps with me it is because I am taking it upon myself to get educated.Pursuing the info and not absorbing it. My skill has not suffered because of EC:chuckle .I do wholeheartedly agree with the member who indicated that it probably was a matter of more the PERSON and not the source of education that is the weighing factor.Haven't we all known CNAs who should be RNs and RNs who should be in housekeeping instead?Peace

[mattsmom81]

The only problem Excelsior grads I've encountered was respiratory therapists (CRT's) who got their ADN through Excelsior. My LPN coworkers who have obtained their RN credential through Excelsior have all been excellent....sought experiences on the job as they progressed their degree.

I suspect the majority of problems are going to be found with the CRTs and EMT's, not the practicing LPN's...but anyone know for sure??