Pros and Cons of Excelsior Program

Sheri257 · Apr 7, 2006

The biggest con with the Excelsior program is that you won't be able to practice in the state of California unless you enrolled on or before December 6, 2003. This decision was recently upheld by the courts.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/new/pdf/excelsiornewsrelease.pdf

http://www.rn.ca.gov/new/pdf/excelsiorcourtdecision.pdf

Here's Excelsior's response to the California BRN decision:

https://www.excelsior.edu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/EXCELSIOR_COLLEGE/PUBLICATIONS/OPEN_LETTER_CALIFORNIA_NURSING.PDF

Other states also have some restrictions or conditions for licensure with the Excelsior program. This information is subject to change so it's always best to contact the board of nursing in your state to verify whether they accept the Excelsior program and under what conditions:

Colorado: Anyone registered before January 1, 2006 will be grandfathered in with no changes. Those who are not LPNs will need 750 additional clinical hours. Those who are LPNs will need 350 additional clinical hours. Or, you have to work 2,000 hours as an RN in another state.

Kansas: EC ADN's must work 1,000 hours as an RN in another state.

Alabama evaluates Excelsior College graduates on an individual basis. It's not clear what this means but a paramedic was denied licensure in 2002.

Georgia will take Excelsior College graduates through reciprocity.

Louisiana, Washington, Florida, and Rhode Island accept LPN's.

Illinois: You need to work two years as an RN in another state to obtain licensure.

:typing

ChesterRN · Apr 9, 2006

Biggest Pro's

Study when you want. Take the exams when you want. I don't know if it's just me but every EC grad I know (6), including myself are all in leadership positions, either on the floor or within a department.

Biggest Con

See post above for the biggest con.

Also, when I graduated from Regents (now EC) back in '94 only 4 out of 19 of us passed the CPNE for our lovely week-end stroll through Hell. I don't know if these rates are still the same, but back then, there was absolutely no margin for error. There was a private company that purported to help you pass the CPNE, but I never took it. It may be of some use.

The CPNE was pretty pricy too, I think I paid close to $800.00. I'm sure the price has probably gone up. The six written exams (A.D.N.) were pretty pricy too, I think about $55 per exam. Again, check with EC to check the prices, as back then they were given through a separate outfit known as ACT-PEP.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Apr 9, 2006

Pros: Again, flexible scheduling. Allowed me to chip away at a nursing degree and fulfill my goal of becoming an RN in a Level II/III NICU.

Cons: In addition to the first post, I would say this is a con - while Excelsior has awarded approx 33,000 nursing degrees over the last few decades, there are about 18,000 students currently enrolled. So that suggests to me that a great number of students are not making much progress. If you're not dedicated enough to push yourself, no one's going to push you.

Wouldn't recommend it for those who don't have any college experience at all, like if you took paramedic training through a fire department. But overall, a great experience and after finishing the ASN in 12/05, I'm soon to re-enroll for BSN.

Sheri257 · Apr 9, 2006

I don't know if these rates are still the same, but back then, there was absolutely no margin for error.

According to the above mentioned court documents, 35 percent of EC students fail CPNE.

:typing

Sahara311 · Apr 12, 2006

So, I am confused.....say I do EC and graduate, take my boards in Florida where they are recognized. Now I want to travel and take a job in Cali, will I be considered an RN there?:uhoh21:

ChesterRN · Apr 12, 2006

So, I am confused.....say I do EC and graduate, take my boards in Florida where they are recognized. Now I want to travel and take a job in Cali, will I be considered an RN there?:uhoh21:

In a word, No.

The CA BRN has made it clear (now supported by case law) that EC graduates do not obtain the same type of supervised clinical training as those grads from CA approved programs, therefore, unless EC changes how they administer their program, EC grads, even through endorsement, would be ineligible for RN licensure, unless they enrolled prior to the deadline date.

Sahara311 · Apr 13, 2006

I don't like that at all. :devil:

Law of Fives · Apr 13, 2006

Don't consider what Chester has posted as the absolute truth. If memory serves correctly, I know of at least 1 EC grad that does traveling assignments in California.

Sheri257 · Apr 13, 2006

Don't consider what Chester has posted as the absolute truth. If memory serves correctly, I know of at least 1 EC grad that does traveling assignments in California.

Obviously there are EC grads who do practice in California, but they enrolled before the December 6, 2003 cutoff date. However, if you enrolled after the cutoff date, then you won't be licensed.

:typing

SCGreywolf · Apr 13, 2006

It's amazing thatANY of us EC grads lived through the clinical exams. I think that was probably the highest stress level I have ever attained without being shot at. And I passed on the first try (that's passed, not passed out.)

The problem with EC now is that the University is lumped in with all the other online 'nursing' programs that do not have the control over the students. I'm sorry to see that.

Debz1117 · Apr 13, 2006

After having failed my second CPNE last week-end, I will tell you that the cons of the program, is the 3 day intensive clinical where there is really no leeway for mistakes. One has to perform as a new graduate RN so this is really a performance exam with no dress rehersal. The pros of the program is that you are in charge of your time. No running to class after work and studying and cramming for that exam next Friday, because you are in charge of your time. Would I recommend Excelsior after having failed twice? Yes, I would, but one has to be very self disciplined and you have to know your weaknessess. I am thinking about taking the CPNE for the 3rd and last time, and have also registered for a bridge program (for LPN -RN)

In my opinion, the CPNE is a study on stress management rather than my skills as a nurse.