serenity67

I have my national certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing (CHPLN).

The petition, in it's current form, was denied by the VA BON (big surprise. Ugh! ). The fight, however, will continue... and continue... and continue.

Thanks for talking me off the ledge. lol! You make valid points. Also great to hear about the clinical portion for paramedics. I figured they were intense, you know... seeing as paramedics save lives! :)

Ugh... I so agree! I'm sure they mean well, but it does give the impression that Excelsior students are "educationally challenged". I think folks are typing with pure emotion and their brain is woring faster than their typing fingers. I think it is i...

Thanks Lunah!

Hi Lunah and all! Thanks for posting on the VA townhall website! I also posted a couple days ago. I was very involved LAST go around in 2008. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out so well back then. I had completely lost hope that things could turn a...

]Hi everyone! Although it "seems" that there has been no further mention of the situation here in Virginia created by the VA BON's new legislation, don't think there aren't things happening behind the scenes. In order to preserve the efforts I wil...

]Both your and the post that followed you make excellent points. I didn't mean to imply that only LPN's have a right to an EC curriculum, and I'm sorry if it came across that way.In reality, I can only speak to this issue based on being an LPN, since...

]You're spot on LunahRN! Back when VA passed legislation to no longer grant RN licensure to graduates of EC I brought up this very point, however not many people seemed to take it seriously. I called the NCSBN directly back then and the nurse I spoke...

]I have had a moment or two where I have considered this. I wasn't really trying to get a BSN at this time, seeing as I was just getting started with EC and have sooooo many prereq's to complete just for the associate RN. I'm still catching my breath...

]Howdy All!! ]As all of you know, the VA BON meeting was a bust. They didn't budge on the issue rearding EC grads. Back before the meeting I had emailed my governor (Tim Kaine). I FINALLY got a response from the secretary of health and human services...

]I know what you mean! I was SHOCKED! I am working on my written response to her... lately it seems every email I write to these elected officials turns into a lengthy research paper! I want to "educate" them about the Excelsior nursing program. At t...

]Although I live in VA (a state ALSO denying licensure to EC grads), I have been very interested in what has been going on in GA as well. I have come to the sad conclusion that the critical nursing shortage is, in part, perpetuated by the very boards...

]Nope, at this point I am not going have enough time to complete the program. I still plan to fight alongside EC for the future of this program though, if for no other reason than the pure principle of it all. I'm so sick of beaurocrats making decisi...

hello everyone! the time has come... the meetings with the va and ga bon's are this week! i am hopeful that everyone will attend the meeting in their states so we can address this issue, instead of once again letting the board members make life alter...

]I went to the BON meeting in VA. They let EC speak for 5 minutes, let the three students (myself included) speak for 2 minutes, opened the floor for a motion by any board member that wanted to extend the completion date, and without missing a beat s...

not to be a downer, but i would definitely take it seriously. i say this only because it seems to be a national trend. when it happened in va i called the ncsbn and it was made clear to me that their official stand was against the type of distance le...

]YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations Zimsaint!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SOOOOO HAPPY for you!!!!!!!

]Great news! With MD being part of my tri-state area here in VA this news gives me a little bit more hope!

]I TOTALLY agree with you about there being a complete misunderstanding about distance learning programs like EC, both with the reasons WHY it is the only avenue for some, as well as how qualified you have to be to even pass the program in it's entir...

]Just be sure to keep a close eye on your state BON for meeting minutes and introductions for new legislations that might disqualify the distance learning program you decide on. In Virginia, the new law doesn't name EC "specifically"...instead they w...

]I think the new law in GA is more vague, which MAY work in your favor when you confront them at your meeting next month. How can EC be out of "compliance" with a rule that states no "clear" curriculum requirement for clinicals? Here in VA that "500 ...

]It definitely apparent that this trend is going to continue and YES it would be ideal if BON's and EC could come to some sort of agreement regarding local preceptors. I wouldn't have a problem going to a brick and mortar school if I had one near me ...

]I suppose if I'm honest, I'm really just upset about my own educational limbo. We DO have a nursing shortage and we do need help... even if it is assisted via qualified foreign nurses. I also don't have a problem with performing clinical hours, howe...

]This is probably a stupid question, but did you call EC to inquire about the reason for this letter being sent to you mid-year of your current enrollment? If so, what did they say?