sunshine06

That's one option working in another state for a full year but the other option for RT's is to just do clinical hours...around 500 for most I'm told. Which still sucks but those are the options right now.

this came in the email. i guess they have decided to allow examination and direct licensure. as a result of the new law signed in april 2009, the georgia board of nursing (ga bon) now allows excelsior graduates who were lpns/lvns, paramedics, or military corpsmen to apply directly for rn licensure by examination. these graduates do not need to apply for initial licensure by endorsement as was previously the practice of the board. there is a link on the ga bon website for instructions for nontraditional nursing education program applicants. the link is to a chart indicating various categories of candidates for licensure and what the additional stipulations may be for obtaining an rn licensure in ga. there are 4 basic steps to apply for direct licensure in georgia as we presently understand them: 1. send the certification by nurse administrator page to us with a signed request with your id number asking us to complete it. we will have it signed by the dean. this will be returned to you so that you may include it with your application to the board. 2. request your official transcript to be sent to you so that you may include it with your application to the board. the transcript will be sent to you on graduation day if all fees to the college are paid. 3. once you have submitted all documents to the ga bon they will determine your eligibility to take the nclex-rn. 4. depending on your previous health care background and when you graduate you may be required to complete a preceptorship. you will need to identify a health care facility that will allow you to do the preceptorship and then the bon will issue the temporary permit. please contact me at [email protected] or at 888-647-2388, ext. 1315 to discuss your specific circumstances and plans for applying for licensure in georgia. patricia casey, senior state board advisor

I hope they will revisit it and I hope it's for the better. A lot us were under the impression that if you applied before 2008 you would not have to complete clinicals no mater if your an RT, Paramedic or LPN with less experience. As long as we had applied by that date and finish by a certain time.

FeFe23, so when are you going to try to take the CPNE if not in July? Also did you request Grady or Georgia or are going to accept out of state CPNE sites? Oh how are you preparing are going to any workshops...I was think of doing this.

Hi everyone, I'm live in GA and trying to finish up EC as well. I hope to be done with all this sometime next year as well. I was thinking of getting my License in TN and working there for a while as well and then getting endorsed back in. My situation is that I did apply for EC before July 2008 but I am a RT. The law that passed states if you are not an LPN (like RT or paramedic) and complete the program by 2011 they still could require me to do additional clinical hours and that's what they are doing. Currently RT's that have graduated in Ga from EC and are trying to apply for their RN license are being denied telling them they need more hours. So, if I can't get my hours here I will work in TN or some other state and commute. I live in metro Atlanta so TN would be a what a 1 11/2 to 2 hours...maybe I could get a travel assignment so they pay for me a hotel...just a thought. How is the job market for new grads and how is grads from EC treated there in TN...hopefully better than GA has been treating us. Hopefully I could work out a preceptorship or something here but the GA Bon is still figuring out all the details how students will do this. Smiley if decided to want to work or live GA you should be fine especially if work at a state for a while. They should endorse you back in. Good luck to everyone taking there CPNE, let us know how it goes.

I never thought about working as a dialysis center as a new grad. I haven't graduated yet but I thought I was going to start my search as the hospital but now maybe not. I checked out their website. For the New Grad program do have to be a current employee or have worked for them in the past for 6 months as a PCT or something. Any information is good. Thanks

Do you still have to apply through endorsement? With law 475 signed by the governor on the 29th can you just now apply for license directly to the GA BON? Oh also where did you take your CPNE?

letter from ec for those who didn't know or are keeping up. april 29, 2009 today, governor perdue signed into law hb 475 which was passed earlier this month by both houses of the georgia general assembly. this bill contains a series of detailed provisions that complicate - but do not eliminate - the licensing process for our students who, upon graduation, wish to practice as rns in georgia. also, there is one significant bright spot to report. for the first time, the opportunity for licensure by examination is now open to excelsior graduates who were a licensed vocational nurse (lvn) prior to enrollment in our associate degree nursing program and who meet certain other requirements. previously, licensure by endorsement was the only option available in georgia to all of excelsior's graduates. although the terms of hb 475 became law upon signing by the governor, the board of nursing still needs to develop rules and procedures to put the details into effect, a process that could take months to complete. we have been told by the board that until it issues these rules and procedures, the current process is still in effect. based upon our reading of the bill as signed into law, we have prepared a chart that summarizes the licensing requirements for our graduates who intend to practice as an rn in georgia. we have provided a copy of this chart to the board for its review and once it informs us that we are accurate in our understanding of the terms, we will publish this as a guide to our students and graduates. in the meantime, the following are highlights of the new licensing requirements as we understand them, all of which are subject to modification once the board issues the rules and procedures necessary to implement the legislation. if you were enrolled in our associate degree in nursing program prior to july 1, 2008 and earn your degree by june 30, 2011, you may be eligible to take the nclex-rn examination and be licensed as an rn in georgia under the following conditions: if you were an lpn prior to enrollment with "at least one year of clinical experience in a health care facility as a licensed practical nurse", you will be eligible to take the nclex-rn and be eligible for licensure. if you were not an lpn upon enrollment, or were an lpn but did not have "at least one year of clinical experience in a health care facility as a licensed practical nurse." you will be eligible to take the nclex-rn and be eligible for licensure. however, if the board of nursing, in its sole discretion, determines that your nursing education lacked certain elements, it may issue you a six-month temporary permit to practice as an rn while you complete a post-graduation precepted experience of a type and length as determined by the board. upon successful completion of this precepted experience, you may be eligible for full licensure. again, we have been told by the board that until it issues these rules and procedures, the current process is still in effect.

My thought is and one way is to have the Ga bon issue a temp RN license I think the bill mentions something about that. They may issue a temp license if they approve it. What decides if they will approve it or not we will have to see. Now once you get the temp RN license you can secure a job as an RN and an Externship or Preceptorship. I'm not sure how CA works but their are many hospitals in GA that have Externships and Preceptorship the only catch is you have to have your Ga license because your basically working. That would solve the malpractice and other problems because if its a preceptorship your almost or are an employee. One hospital I know of has you sign a contract stating you'll complete their preceptiorship but in return for them showing you the ropes you have to work their for a year. Now in bill it states that the preceptorship will need to be approved first by the GA bon and then a temp license maybe secured. So, we will have to see how that goes. Another thing you can still get endorsed from another state you will just need to work out of state for a year. Also, someone said that federal places don't require a GA license just any RN license. Their rules may not be the same. I'm not sure on this that is just what someone said. If that's true then you could work at a VA or any or federal place to get experience and then apply for endorsement later.

I thought the same thing. That's why I don't understand. When the grandfather clause came about I thought current Paramedics and RT in the program would not have to go through all this. This is not fair. I'm going to call the board and EC as well. We need speak to someone about that grandfather clause. Are we under that or basically the GA bon can do what they want like they are already are doing. Like I said ..I knew that is what they are trying pull and would require more clinicals even though we are suppose to be under the grandfather clause. I still have to finish my program as well as other RT's and paramedic and know we have figure out this whole mess.

That is my concern, it doesn't say anything about RT's...what happened? I thought the other versions did, so as of now RT's would not be able to go through EC in GA and if we are currently enrolled I guess we better finish by the deadline of June 2011 according to this Applicants who, before July 1, 2008, entered a nontraditional nursing education program which meets the requirements of subsection (e) of this Code section and complete such program no later than June 30, 2011, shall be deemed to meet the criteria of this paragraph; provided, however, that the board shall have the discretion to require additional clinical hours of experience of applicants who (i) did not enter the nontraditional nursing education program as a licensed practical nurse, or (ii) entered the nontraditional nursing education program as a licensed practical nurse but does not have at least one year of clinical experience in a health care facility as a licensed practical nurse, if such applicant's clinical experience is deemed lacking by the board. I guess that gives us an extra year. The first deadline was 2010. Gemini79 and other RT's once this is signed does this go into effect immediately because I wonder if this why some have been denied because they are waiting for this so they can require you do additional clinical hours. I don't know. Just a thought.

Gemini79, I'm sorry to hear that. Getting endorsed in past was a non-issue right? You just go get it in another state and then applied and were endorsed from what I heard. I guess it is all this waiver stuff. It must leave some gray area. If the school accepted us that's proof enough. We had to send it in to the school....remember? So do they not trust the college. I guess not. So are you sending your national license from the NBRC or are sending the license from the state or are sending both? I wonder why others were denied.

Well I'm assuming that most EC students in Cali already graduated before the deadline that was given to them and most I'm assuming were able to get jobs. They passed this years ago in Cali, mabye the Hospitals hired EC grads between a certain deadline and now since EC 's are not permitted they figure if your still trying to graduate as an EC student in Cali that your taking to long and they don't want to hire them. I'm mean you take forever to finish just because you were "gradfathered in" legally you can but logically hospitals probably think why it took so long. I would love to hear from someone personally that was told that they are not hired because they went to EC if they finished and graduated in the deadline given. If Georgia either passes the HB 475( which is the more conservative version but allows EC with clinicals) or they pass the other bill that doesn't metion clinicals and hospitals say they won't hire us....if the state allows EC graduates that would not be right. I understand employers can do what they want but how can they blantly say oh you went to EC so I won't hire you. There is a shortage of Nurses in GA and the rest of the country somebody will take us. The hospitals would have to state something specific like your skills or something else espcially if their is a obvious shortage in the hospital ...they need to fill these positions. If they says skills then you know what put up me against the average traditional grad and lets see, as someone stated graduates from traditional schools don't know more or less what they are doing and that's why they are preceptorships/ and new grad programs. Also, if this happens to more than one person and hospital after hospital look out.... major lawsuit. Us Excelsior Students don't play. We support each other....and we all have each others back...we would be calling the senate,media, governor, and file a lawsuit. Just look at us now....we don't back down. Let the hospitals not hire us on the basis of going to Excelsior and Excelsior alone and see what happens. I'm going to keep at it and I encourge others to continue their studies and graduate and don't let worrying about not being able to get a job GA here keep you. :wink2: With the shortage of Nurses we won't be unemployed for long. Hopefully we will hear from EC graduates as they get endorsed and get working as an RN and their take on what's being said. If anyone is in hospital now let us know what you hearing from employers.

Yea, for us enrolled we have until 2010 and no wavier but for future students clinicals. I thought she said if your an LPN only 350 hours and non lpn like RT's etc. over 700 hrs and out of state something else like 1 yr of experience or 350 hrs. I'm not for sure it will be posted soon. Where are students going to get clinical hours? I guess they will have to work it out on their own? Huh. That Ms. Cooper said they were in talks with EC for years and the school did not want to do anything. EC claims Last year was the first they heard of anything. Who knows.. Where does this bill go from hear and what about the other bill in HHS that passed the Senate weeks ago?

did i hear it right?? it passed

They're voting now

Thanks, I'm listening now..Have they voted yet? I'm going to have to leave in 30 mins..someone please the results tonight. At least if the bill is voted down and the other bill doesn't get out of the HHS theirs hope for next year and the rest of us currently enrolled need to finish next year and get waived in. I hope the other bill can get out of the HHS. They are working on it as someone stated...I wonder if they making more changes....

Yes, Georgia has at least 2 CPNE sites maybe 3. I agree...why couldn't Ga hospitals work something out with an EC graduate or student. Another bill by this lady....this is getting ridiculous. Its getting hard to even keep up. You guys are right...that's excatly what she wants. She figures if she puts out enough bills one of them will slip threw. She hopes half the people see so many of these bills and probably will get mixed up on what to vote yea or na on and hers will pass. That's why its up to us to inform the governor, all the representatives, media, and public. She wants people to be confused or not know. Thank you so much for keeping us all updated everyone. Yes, EC needs to contacted by phone, and email tomorrow. I will call and I'm going to wirte an email to several people at EC now. Yes EC needs to get on the ball...we haven't heard from them in a while.

If bill 475 passed the committe and just that ...right? It still has to pass the senate and signed by the governor...correct? Ok, what about bill 49? Is that in the HHS? and will that be voted on as well? What happens next?

Congrats!!! Gobsmackednurse, I'm so happy for you!!! :yeah: Thank you for all your continue support for the rest of us. :) Spread the word when get back to work let us know where you end up. If Mrs. copper has it her way Rt's and paramedics will not even have the opportunity to get endorsed. When is this going to be voted on? does anyone know? They are not going to be in session for what only another month or so.

Congratulation rjlchef! That's Great your offically a GA RN! Gosh, I'm sure your elated now you can move own with your plans. Gobsmackednurse and others I hope will get your the offical yes next week as well. Their is no reason why you shouldn't get it. If ya'll can get endorsed than their is hope for the rest us.:) This is positve!! Keep us updated.

In response to Mary Anna's post. Just a few things...everyone situation is different as far as education, family, kids, marriage and other things. People decide when or when not to get married, have kids, further their education. Others maybe in a situation by not only their choice but by choices of others such as a father leaving his family or not giving support, etc. I have respect for everyone no matter what their situation is. I personally am marrried but do not have kids yet and I am delaying parenthood by choice. I also plan on staying home mostly with my (future) young kid/kids and then working only on PRN to parttime until older. That's my choice. Just as some moms stay home and don't work others work full-time and a lot do some where in between. I respect everyones situation and choices. They are young, old, singles, marriend, single parents, and etc. It dosn't matter. Also you metioned something some left traditional schools becasue of maybe grades or time contraints. First I never attended a traditional school so I never left ...maybe some left because of other situations in their life. I want to work full-time and go back to school. I do not want to stop an income if I do not have too. I'm trying to build financial security and if I can do both....I'm going to do both. If the opportunity is there why not take it. Who cares what the reasons are. Mentioned was something about Nurses taking on more responsibility such as Respiratory, Physical Therapy, etc... Uh..I am an Respiratoy Therapist. So, already know how do my job. I want to go into nursing because I have been lucky to have worked around other nurses who love and have passion in what they do...and given me the motivation to go. Nursing will give me more interaction with my patients that I am looking for and other opportunites of area of work and advancement that Respiratory doesn't give me for the future. I also want to take my skills overseas into mission fields. What would keep us from taking on more tasks as you said..because we went to EC. Anwyays, what ever the reason,age, backgroud, or situation..we all should be supported of each other in their aspirations in life.

I hope you guys get endorsed. Also what olsogirl was saying about the negative view that is being painted...I'm worried about that. Even if we get endorsed this year and the next how are hospitals looking at us? Will we get hired and given a reasonable chance just like a new graduate from any other college? Or will they think we are automatically incompetent and hold us to higher standard or not hire us at all. The longer this goes on people are going to associate EC with negative words. Just over 2years ago I called a hospital and inquired about intern/extern and jobs and asked if graduating from EC matters. They said no, as long as you have your RN by the state of GA they could care less where you went to school. (AS is should be with an RN..wheather you go to Emory school of nursing and pay those big buck or go to a Technical school, or nontraditional college like EC...it should not matter in Nursing) Hearing that gave me the push to go apply and procced thinking their will not be any problems but now I wonder if the answer might be different. They might ponder and think whether they want to hire an EC grad. I hope not. As you get endorsed and start working keep us all informed on your experiences.

I'll go to 11 alive and check out the blog. Pressure from some lawyers would be good. It it may come down to that. Has anyone even actually got endorsed or know anyone who has since January when they were suppose to be allowing endorsement by waiver or petition or something? I think someone asked earlier a couple pages back. That concerns me as I am study and if finish by next like they said but still can't get endorsed. Or if they tack on clinical hours....how do we complete these? Will hospitals allow to do them there or do you have to go out of state? Then after all that it is still vague because they can let in who they want or don't want. I know some stated they were going to move when they finish if this doesn't pass. I can't move...I can travel for a few months if need, but I can't move or always travel out of state for extended peroid of times forever. That will not be that feasable for me and family long term. I hope EC graduates are getting endorsed soon. If not what is status of your endorsements anyone? Are they telling you guys anything when call to check on it?

i'm sorry to hear that your a nurse and unemployed gobsmackednurse....when you moved to ga were not able to get licensed because the ga bon stop licensing ec or were you let go because your a regents or nontrad grad but recieved your ga license? i agree with all you on this. this is crazy the bill in the hhs committe and she's the head of this. that's insane!! i'm staying up all night emailing representatives and even her with a few choice words. don't worry nothing hateful just telling her what i think and giving her facts. as have been suggested i'm going to call everyone next week. is our side in the ajc? if not we need someone to get their opinion in the paper and on the news again. they need to make sure they tell both sides. this sharon lady is crazy......this lady can't continue to be a representative. was she already up for reelection? ....next time we have to make some noise in her area...one the news....radio...etc.. maybe we can take out ads against her... hope their is something that can be done so this doesn't get stuck in the committe. has anyone even got their license yet since they opened it? they are still making it hard even now. with her bill i still don't think we get licensed even if have 800 hours and 2 yrs experience because also the way it reads it says someithing about if we deem your program equally or more stringent than the schools in ga. she doesn't so she will probably deny almost everyone....until you get a lawyer or something. let me go get started...