Roll Call for Excelsior Grads - stand up and be counted

willtm · Oct 22, 2005

A. Graduated September 2005 B. Give up the excuses, quit procrastinating and DO IT! When you are done it will be SO worth it. C. I'd do it again, it wasn't much fun doing it (what nursing program is), but it was definately worth it. D. I work a short stay/ obsevation unit at a hospital. I'm doing the same thing I was before getting my RN license, but I'm getting paid much better for it:)

RN34TX · Oct 22, 2005

Hi. How many Excelsior grads are out here? Please share with all of us
a. Your graduation date
b. Your best advice to someone starting the program
c. Would you do it all over again?
d. What are you doing now?
A. I graduated May 2005 w/ ASN
B. Get help from friends and family to "push" you into staying on track. Make a schedule for you exams and stick with it.
C. I would do this over in a heartbeat. Would still be an LPN without it
D. Working in LTC as an MDS coordinator, But need to find something new.
OK, whose's next.

A. 11/2003

B. Understand that it's designed for experienced people who are self-motivated, no hand holding and very limited structure. It's easy to get off track and procrastinate.

C. If the California controversy were going on when I enrolled, no, I would have stayed in my transition program at a local CC.

D. ICU and PACU

Katmease · Oct 22, 2005

Hi. How many Excelsior grads are out here? Please share with all of us
a. Your graduation date
b. Your best advice to someone starting the program
c. Would you do it all over again?
d. What are you doing now?

A. May 2001, BSN (went straight for the BSN, no ADN)

B. Know that you will have to be motivated & disciplined.

C. Absolutely.

D. SICU, MNICU & CICU float at a level one hospital. Working on NP

program.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2005

Hi. How many Excelsior grads are out here? Please share with all of us
a. Your graduation date
b. Your best advice to someone starting the program
c. Would you do it all over again?
d. What are you doing now?

A. December 2000

B. Make sure you are a self-motivated type person before investing $$$

and connect with: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rnstudygroup/ I

don't know if I could of done it without their help. Awesome site! Do not

sweat the clinicals, they scare you without reason, very easy, just

know the memomics.

C. Definately! But not for BSN, 3 clinicals involved.

D. Charge Nurse on Acute/Med/Surg/Telemetry Floor

I was an LPN for 26 years and was given 15 years credit as RN when figuring my hourly rate.( 9 months credit for each year as an LPN) I started $10/hr above a new grad RN.

pedinurse05 · Oct 22, 2005

I graduated March 2005 from EC. I was an LPN for 10 years prior.

My advice is to stay motivated and alert to all the changes/possible changes different boards of nursing may make that could place restrictions on your license.

Yes, I am happy with my degree. I was given an opportunity to start making steps to my personal and professional goals through the Excelsior program. I am currently looking forward to starting an RN-BSN program this spring!!!!

I just relocated from the east coast to southern California. I will be starting a new pediatric job at a local hospital. I just finished going to several interviews and have accepted a nice job fairly close to home with good pay and benefits :)

Missy, RN

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2005

I don't want to be a doubting thomas but I thought California didn't accept RN's with an EC degree if it's been in the past 5 years or something?

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 22, 2005

Graduated December 2002.

Remind yourself this is for YOU, and that YOU are the only one who can realize this dream. Put all else aside and be DETERMINED.

Would do it all again in a heartbeat ! Excellent excercise in self discipline !

I continue to work at my dialysis facility where I was employed as a PCT for four years prior and during my studies... now as a dialysis RN. :)

pedinurse05 · Oct 22, 2005

I don't want to be a doubting thomas but I thought California didn't accept RN's with an EC degree if it's been in the past 5 years or something?

You can obtain a license in California if you enrolled in the EC program prior to December 7, 2003. I enrolled prior to this date and had no problems obtaining a license here. Visit the California board of nursing and you will find the info regarding licensure and Excelsior college on their web site. I believe you can click on whats new and will give you that deadline date for EXcelsior. If you enrolled in the program after that December 03 date you can't obtain a license via exam or endorsement...but I continue to hope that some change may occur!!!

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2005

You can obtain a license in California if you enrolled in the EC program prior to December 7, 2003. I enrolled prior to this date and had no problems obtaining a license here. Visit the California board of nursing and you will find the info regarding licensure and Excelsior college on their web site. I believe you can click on whats new and will give you that deadline date for EXcelsior. If you enrolled in the program after that December 03 date you can't obtain a license via exam or endorsement...but I continue to hope that some change may occur!!!

Wow I'm happy for you. That would really suck to graduate (having graduated EC, I know how hard you worked) move to Calif and then not be able to get a job. I could understand Calif's position if like in the past you could be a CNT and get your RN through EC but only LPN's can get their degrees through EC so I don't get it? I know several CNT's and EMT's who got their degrees through EC (Regents when I went) and they are great nurses but I didn't understand their rules back then. Congratulations!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 27, 2005

A. Grad date: Dec. 2004

B. Advice: Join the Yahoo study groups. Check with your local BON for their policy on EC. See if your employer will reimburse you for tuition costs. Take the EC practice quizzes for the nursing courses. Don't waste money on a publishing company- go directly through EC.

C. Would definitely do it all again. It was a great experience for me.

D. RN on Trauma Surgical Stepdown Unit. Will finish BSN after baby is born, then on to MSN. While working on MSN, will hopefully get a unit-based educator position at my hospital, and then on to teach at a local nursing school.

RN34TX · Oct 27, 2005

A. Grad date: Dec. 2004
B. Advice: Join the Yahoo study groups. Check with your local BON for their policy on EC. See if your employer will reimburse you for tuition costs. Take the EC practice quizzes for the nursing courses. Don't waste money on a publishing company- go directly through EC.
C. Would definitely do it all again. It was a great experience for me.
D. RN on Trauma Surgical Stepdown Unit. Will finish BSN after baby is born, then on to MSN. While working on MSN, will hopefully get a unit-based educator position at my hospital, and then on to teach at a local nursing school.

I second the comment about not wasting your money on a publishing company, I forgot to include that as advice.

Those companies are ripping off EC students left and right for thousands of dollars.