dalman97

Hey! Read this thread https://allnurses.com/excelsior-college-online/excelsior-college-paramedic-783321.html Good info on it. I have also been looking into excelsior. If I'm not mistaken it is actually in NY. But you still need to check your states board of nursing to make sure you can sit for the NCLEX there. So far this is the only program that I can find that is completely online without clinicals. With the exception of the CPNE which is a 3 day clinical exam, that is very intense from what I've read here. It's also the only part of this program that make me nervous, since you can only fail 3 times before you are booted out of the program all together. However, with the right preparation it can definitely be passed the first time. I'm sure someone who has been through the program will chime in. Sorry I could help more.

Nevermind... talked to them today and they said the only portion of the clinicals i could do locally are the last few. I would had to make 6 to 7 trips to kansas, spending a week there each time =/ not at all doable. So excelsior it is!

Ok I'm trying to choose between excelsior and Hutchinson. Does anyone know anything about the clinicals portion of the hutchinson program? I read here that I would be able to do my clinicals locally and I really need some insight on this. How easy would it be to get my clinicals from an out of state college set up here? Is this like an internship? So far my only apprehension about EC is the CPNE... I would do whatever it take to prepare for it BUT if I fail 3 times I'm screwed and will have wasted so much time and effort.

Ok so after tons of research I have come to two ways to obtain my RN online after obtaining my emt-p license. There is excelsior with the 3 day cpne.Then there's Hutchinson Community College with 20 something days of clinicals that can be done either in your area or in Kansas (cant do this). BUT its half the price and i could possibly get financial aide. Question is... does anyone have experience with the hutchinson program? How easy is it to get clinicals in ur area from an out of state college? I know I have 2 years of emt school before this even comes up... i just want to know I can bridge to nursing before going through medic school. I wouldn't make enough as a medic and it is a stepping stone.

Wow... thanks so much for that! I didnt know anyone else had replied. Thanks to everyone else too. I am so excited to get things started.

thanks texanmom =)

Thank you!

I know this topic has been brought up a gazillion times and I do apologize lol. Does anyone know if tx bon still accepts ec grads? I have googled this every which way possible and I can't find a recent thread confirming whether or not they do. The don site isn't all that user friendly...

Thanks ... I'm looking into all the small details too. Like a said medic is just a stepping stone. Nursing is what I'm after.

With excelsior, its the same bridge program an lvn would take. I have found national averages but is that with over time? I'm just worried I may not be able to survive on emt income. If the average is right on with the beaumont texas area, then ill be taking a pay cut from my current job. Which is ok if its only a few months. But not long term. Thanks for ur response =)

Wow... I apologize for no breaks in my post. Using my phone and actually did write it in paragraphs =/

Ok... I wasn't sure were to put this ... but always had good results from posting here. I have decided, that even though my first choice was sonography (no jobs in my area) I want to go into nursing. After checking into nursing programs in my area I have realized that it would be pretty much full time in school/clinicals. That would work if I didn't have a full time day job that I can't quit or replace. Both the bsn or associates lvn to rn programs pretty much have classes/clinicals til 3 mon thru fri. and that has brought me to emt to paramedic to rn. The emt/paramedic program in my area is an 18 to 20 month deal. Allowing me to work my current job until I become emt certified. At that point, I will work for acadian as emt and they will completely work around my paramedic program. After I become a paramedic I plan to bridge to rn online through excelsior most likely. I realize this is the long route to my goal of becoming a nurse but I do not have a choice. I am a single mother of one, with a house, car and all the bills and responsibilities of an adult. So here are my concerns... How much will I make as an emt until I become a medic? How much will I make as a medic? Would I make more working in a hospital? What are the requirements to begin excelsior bridge - regarding paramedic license / certificate? How long is the excelsior program? I'm sure I have many more but that's a good start lol. Thanks!

Yes ... following my heart is what I need. I am required to shadow a sonographer for 24 prior to admission so I plan to do this before even starting pre-reqs.

Thanks to all of you for your encouragement! Makes me feel a ton better... love this site btw, so much info here =)

Hello lorarami.... I'm not looking for easy. In fact I like a good challenge. Heck my cleaning business Ihave now isn't stress free... its just ruining my spine. And that's even with a lot of core strengthening exercise. Plus no benefits ... I just need a positive change and of course more income so I can plan a good future for my son and I.

Saysfaa... I'm not sure.... and I'm sure there's more openings for both. I just used a free ad site for example. I am in the Beaumont are of Texas.

Thanks! I believe I should go with what I want as well... its just very scary to think I may not find work. I cannot move my son again. In a local online job listing, right now there are 8 nursing positions and 1 sono position. Granted I'm sure getting an entry level nursing job is difficult also.And yes... that is what I fear with nursing. I am a great with multi-tasking. However, I become cranky under high levels of negative pressure. Of course no one likes this but I can't hide my aggrevation very well. Also I hear the politics in a hospital for nurses is crazy... cattiness and I do not mesh well lol.

Hello all ... I posted about this in another topic section and didn't get a response so I thought I would try here :) I am torn between the two professions and just needed some opinions based on my reasons for struggling with both. Originally, my very first thought was to go to Medical Diagnostic Sonography school. For a number of reasons: 1. Most importantly ... it really intrigues me! 2. It's an associates degrees vs a bachelors. (This appeals to a single working mother period). However, the associates will still end up being 3 years because re-reqs are not part of the 2 years. You must have those under your belt before beginning the program. The nursing program is a straight forward 4 years with pre-reqs in the first yr. Either way, still one year less! 3. Less stress in the field, whether it be physical or cut throat politics (which the latter would drive me insane!) 4. Hours are better than nursing, usually. Then... I realized that since the accredited sonography program I would be going to is in the same area I would actually need to be employed.... finding a job may prove to be difficult upon graduation. THIS scares the heck out of me and is the ONLY reason I am considering nursing over sonography to be perfectly honest. There is also room for advancement in both... more so nursing from what I read though. Ugh ... It is time for me to move forward... of course I still need prereqs but a and p one and two are the only 2 courses that mirror nursing prereqs. After a ton of research I don't think I would love nursing. I'm pretty sure unless I was in a doctors office or home healthcare I would hate it. Bottom line ... sonography is what I want to do on the daily. Nursing is diverse enough that I would be able to find a job that is a good match for me, but are those options available for a new grad. I talked to the program director of the school I will attend and she agrees with the shortage of job opportunities in my area. However, she also said it would be wise to go with what I wanted. Explaining that this is a career choice and a lot of time and money spent to get there. What do you guys think? Nursing, with ample job opportunities or sonographer and on a fierce job hunt when I graduate?? Thanks for reading if you made it this far lol! Any opinions are so appreciated!

I have read a few of the posts regarding this very topic. However, I wanted to put my reasons for struggling with my decision and see what others may do in my situation. Originally, my very first thought was to go to sonography school. For a number of reasons: 1. Most importantly ... it really intrigues me! 2. It's an associates degrees vs a bsn. (This appeals to a single working mother period) 3. Less stress in the field, whether it be physical or cut throat politics (which the latter would drive me insane!) 4. Hours are better than nursing, usually. Then... I realized that since the accredited sonography program I would be going to is in the same area I would actually need to be employed.... finding a job may prove to be difficult upon graduation. THIS scares the heck out of me and is the ONLY reason I am considering nursing over sonography to be perfectly honest. Ugh ... It is time for me to move forward... of course I still need prereqs but a and p one and two are the only 2 courses that mirror nursing prereqs. After a ton of research I don't think I would like nursing muchless love it. I'm pretty sure unless I was in a doctors office or home health in the field I would HATE it.

That's what I've been told.... to pair science classes with a course that isn't very demanding. I will have no choice but to work. I'm single, own my home, car note, bills etc. So not working isn't an option for me. I will have no life outside of work and school. My son also plays football in the fall, which I will be able to study while he practices 3 days a week. I will just have to learn to manage my time.

Thanks for all the input! Ansumana ... admission is mostly dependent upon GPA so I know that however many classes I choose to take I will definitely not take any of them lightly. neldel ... our local college, Lamar University no longer offers the associates in nursing. I will be going for my bachelors. Which at first I was disappointed until I realized that the asn actually takes 3 years counting pre-reqs. For the extra year I'll take the more advanced degree. I should be meeting with a counselor some time this week and I'll learn a little more about scheduling then. loriangel14 ... I know it's a physical job and I'm ready for that. Cleaning for a living is quite a bit different in terms of physical labor though. As a nurse, when I'm in my 50s and feeling worn down I can take a more laid back nursing position. With cleaning ... it is what it is, nothing can be changed.

Hello! I am new to the board. This is my first post but I have been "lurking" for a few days soaking up as much info as possible :) I am a single mother with a 10 year old boy. I have had my own residential cleaning business for 7 years. I do like my job because it is super flexible and about 22/hr. However it is very physical work so I can only physically pull about 30 hours a week. Also, while at 33, I am easily able to do this kind of work, but in 10 or 15 years I'll need something that doesn't put so much stress on my back and body in general. Not to mention NO BENEFITS. With that said, I am seriously looking into a career change. Before the business I worked in medical and dental offices on the administrative end, while wishing I could actually work with the patients. So I am going this week to apply for financial aide to start my pre-reqs for the nursing program! I wanted to ask though if it is doable... while still working about 30 hours a week?? Or will I need to cut back on my work load? How many hours a week will I need to expect to dedicate to class, clinics and studying? This is a very scary step for me. I know that I have the intellect to do this.... it's timing and still being a good mother in the process that scares me to death. I don't want to be so frazzled all the time that my son suffers. Anyway, any insight would be so very appreciated!