South Alabama student in NC....clinicals a problem?!

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2014

I don't think it's specific to that school, many schools from outside NC seem to be having this issue. I believe NC changed their rules some time back and have made it very difficult for NC residents to go to NP schools that are not based in NC. There are several threads on this board discussing it, and of course you can contact your board of nursing and get the straight answer from them as well.

elkpark · Jan 8, 2014

Well, it isn't really about "making it difficult for NC residents to go to NP schools that are not based in NC;" it's about making sure that schools operating in NC meet established NC standards. The state (not the BON; this is not nursing specific) has made the determination that, if a school is physically located outside the state but offering online education, if a NC resident is pursuing education through that online program, the education is physically happening within the state of NC and is subject to the same standards, regulations, and approval process as schools physically located within the state. As a long-time NC resident (although I'm currently somewhere else), I'm proud that NC does not allow just any fly-by-night outfit to operate in the state, but looks out for the interests of NC residents.

From the NC BON website (FAQ page):

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: List of Licensed Institutions

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

charlottegirl · Jan 8, 2014

Oh dear. Thanks for the replies.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

Elkpark -

I stand corrected, and I apologize if you took "making it difficult for NC residents to go to NP schools that are not based in NC". However, the end result is NC residents who want to go to schools physically located outside of NC are finding it difficult to attend these schools and in some cases are unable to achieve their goals because of this legislation. It may have good intentions, but from my perspective it appears to be having a negative impact on several NC residents.

Also, I don't believe just because a school is located outside of NC and offers online education that makes it a "fly_by_night outfit".

PatMac10,RN, RN · Jan 10, 2014

Elkpark - I stand corrected and I apologize if you took "making it difficult for NC residents to go to NP schools that are not based in NC". However, the end result is NC residents who want to go to schools physically located outside of NC are finding it difficult to attend these schools and in some cases are unable to achieve their goals because of this legislation. It may have good intentions, but from my perspective it appears to be having a negative impact on several NC residents. Also, I don't believe just because a school is located outside of NC and offers online education that makes it a "fly_by_night outfit".[/quote'] I
I agree with you wholeheartedly!
I posted about this not too long ago. Am I glad that the states wants to monitor the education that out of state institutions are providing here and be sure they are "up to par", yes. Do I think it's just for purely academic reasons, not necessarily. With all the requests changed regarding improving transferability of credits from NC universities and community colleges, I think it's safe to say that the state really wants people to stay in NC for their education, which most states do. They have taken the steps they felt necessary to retain as many students, and their tuition money, in NC Is it frustrating, freak yes! Is it currently limiting, another freak yes. Will this hopefully start a movement to make advanced nursing education more accessible and manageable to all in the state, hopefully. Hopefully this will highlight the need for new degree programs and majors to be made more accessible to BC students from in state colleges in general.

charlottegirl · Jan 10, 2014

I'm just very apprehensive about starting this program now. What if it gets to be time for clinicals and they say sorry... Can't do them....I'd have wasted all that time on classes that won't transfer.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2014

I would be apprehensive too. Does Univ. S. Alabama have a plan on how they are going to become eligible for you to be able to do clinicals in NC? Or do they have another solutions (clinicals out of state, etc)? My university stopped taking NC students when this went into effect. I know there are folks working with the NC BON (or some state agency) to resolve this, but I don't know how fast it is progressing. Obviously it's not progressing fast enough for the administration to feel confident in taking students from NC.

I would suggest talking to both your state BON and the university about their plans and seeing if you have any confidence there will be a resolution in time or that there is an alternative plan you can do when the time comes.

elkpark · Jan 10, 2014

Also, I don't believe just because a school is located outside of NC and offers online education that makes it a "fly_by_night outfit".

I don't think so either, and didn't mean to suggest that I think USA fits that description. However, we all know that there are some online and distance ed schools "out there" that are of highly dubious quality, and I think that is part of the concern of the NC law.

zmansc, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2014

I would concur that if the purpose behind the law is to keep out the poor quality online/distance education schools that is a good goal. Hopefully, the law and/or its implementation can be modified so that restriction are still in place for those institutions, but it still allows NC residents access to educational opportunities from high quality institutions that reside outside the state.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Jan 10, 2014

I don't think so either and didn't mean to suggest that I think USA fits that description. However, we all know that there are some online and distance ed schools "out there" that are of highly dubious quality, and I think that is part of the concern of the NC law.[/quote']
Agreed

a1icia8415 · Jan 10, 2014

Agreed

I find it strange that NC will not allow residents to attend Georgetown's online AGACNP program, which is ranked as one of the best in the nation. I have been trying to research what "standards" the schools must meet, but have not been able to find much information. I have found that advanced practice nursing is goverend conjointly by the NCBoN and the NC medical society, which may be part of the problem. As a NC resident, it is quite frustrating, as there are not many ACNP programs offered near my home.