RN to MSN in Massachusetts

elkpark · Jun 5, 2014

There are a number of states that have set limits/requirements on "hands-on" education related to online education programs. I am most familiar with NC, but your situation sounds familiar. NC has decided that schools that offer online education that includes clinicals/practica (therefore, education that is clearly happening, physically, within the state) must register with and meet the minimum standards set by the UNC Board of Governors, the same as every other college/university that operates in the state of NC. Schools that haven't done so aren't able to have students doing clinicals/practica within the state. It's up to the school that wants to be able to register NC students to apply for and go through the approval process; if they don't, NC students don't have that school as an option. I'm guessing that MA has some similar regulation.

Nurse Blondie, RN · Jun 5, 2014

Hi thanks for your response. It would make sense to me if what you explained about NC were the same for MA, but what Excelsior stated is that I could still earn the MSN degree (as a Massachusetts resident) only that I would have to complete the clinical project outside Massachusetts or in a VA facility.

This afternoon I emailed the Massachusetts BON to inquire about this and was told they do not govern masters level education and they were not aware of any restrictions.

I have emailed them the form I received from Excelsior stating what I explained above and I'm just waiting to see what they say..

elkpark · Jun 6, 2014

I still think it's the same situation. Here is info from the NC BON website, from the FAQ about nursing education page:

8. Is the NCBON imposing restrictions on out-of-state nursing education programs? I am being told by an out-of-state program that the NCBON is preventing them from admitting NC residents as students.

The NCBON is not imposing restrictions on out-of-state nursing education programs. There is, however, a law in NC which requires ANY out-of-state program that conducts ANY educational activities in NC (including on-line programs, correspondence courses, and student clinical experiences) to be licensed by the University of North Carolina (UNC) System General Administration/Board of Governors. This is required by a law not associated with the NC Board of Nursing, but rather with the UNC System. When considering enrollment in ANY out-of-state nursing program, individuals should check with the UNC System to verify licensure status by calling 919-962-4558 or on the UNC System web site at: Licensing Institutions | UNC GA

9. If I attend a nursing education program in another state, am I able to complete my student clinical experiences in NC?

The out-of-state degree granting institution must be licensed by the UNC System as described in question #8 BEFORE NCBON will consider any requests from students who are attending out-of-state programs for clinical experiences in NC.

FAQ - Nursing Education | North Carolina Board of Nursing

This sounds v. similar to what you're describing. I'm guessing that what's happening is that people in states with these laws are still signing up for online programs even though the school is not registered with the state and just not saying anything (and neither are the schools, which are happy to take people's money), but then they run into problems when it's time to arrange clinicals. I'm guessing the other states you are being advised to use for clinicals (or the VA, which is not regulated by individual states, for facility licensure or nursing practice purposes), do not have this kind of requirement in place.

Frankly, I think it's a good thing that some states look out for their citizens enough to want to be sure that they are getting decent, legitimate educational opportunities and not getting ripped off. States like MA and NC have made the determination that online schools that are signing up residents of the state are, essentially, operating in their state, and, therefore, are required to meet the same standards and requirements as all the other schools that operate in the state. Sounds reasonable to me ...

kmd7154 · Sep 5, 2014

Hi thanks for your response. It would make sense to me if what you explained about NC were the same for MA, but what Excelsior stated is that I could still earn the MSN degree (as a Massachusetts resident) only that I would have to complete the clinical project outside Massachusetts or in a VA facility.
This afternoon I emailed the Massachusetts BON to inquire about this and was told they do not govern masters level education and they were not aware of any restrictions.
I have emailed them the form I received from Excelsior stating what I explained above and I'm just waiting to see what they say..

Did you find out what the deal was with this situation?? Definitely interested. This doesn't mean that those Massachusetts residents who have completed their ADN through excelsior will be revoked right!?

Nurse Blondie, RN · Sep 10, 2014

Hi, Oh no, nothing will be revoked. I honestly haven't followed up with it any further at this point, pretty much took the summer off. I will look into it again though and if I find out anything new, I'll post it here. It was specifically related to MSN.