Throwing an idea out there.

[CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P]

As a student of Excelsior's Nursing Program and a 16 year field paramedic in a large city (over 200k population) I am frustrated by several state nursing boards deciding that I'm not fit to practice because I didn't do clinical rotations as part of my training. I know that it wouldn't happen in my scholastic career, but I wonder if Excelsior has approached the state nursing boards about allowing preceptorships as clinicals for its students?

The nurse director of the ED that I worked in as a medic for 6 years has expressed interest in having me as a nurse-tech, a designation given to nursing students in the final year of school. This is an active learning preceptorship and places the student in several areas of the hospital while always shadowing an RN with many years experience.

Does anyone know how this could be approached? Has anyone else started the process on this? I just want it discussed.

[caliotter3]

I would have thought that EC broached this topic when fighting the good fight with the states deciding to hog-tie their program.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Which states? I did the program as a paramedic, and California is the only state where I cannot be licensed.

The whole point of EC is that it is a competency model, not a teaching program. However, EC does have students in Arizona do clinicals before NCLEX.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

EC has several states like AZ & GA require clinical preceptorships post graduation but before nclex eligibility is offered. The list is on the EC website. Not an option in CA

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

But EC arranges hours for Arizona. The other states? Up to the students. Wonder how that happened.

[CaliLVN-RN]

To be licensed in Arizona the clinicals must be completed after CPNE and before graduation. It's part of your transcripts just like Oklahoma. The others won't show up on your transcripts

[Cohutta]

In Georgia, it is a corrupt process. Basically you are given a temporary RN license and you have to complete 480 +/- hours of "preceptorship" within a 6 month time frame. The key here is that the only hospital that you can do that with is located in the same city as the GA BON, Macon. They also charge you a fee to attend the preceptor hours on THEIR schedule. All of this must be accomplished within a 6 month time frame. Oh! By the way, the fee is well over $1K. I actually talked to a close friendly friend who is an attorney with the Department of Transportation and he told me he would represent me in filing suit against the BON based on discrimination being that I am a male trying to become a Nurse and the fact that I am 1/2 Cherokee. He said that they don't have the money to fight it in court and that they would "roll over" and give me a license most likely rather than dealing with the headache of a discrimination lawsuit. But, I don't even want to give Georgia the pleasure of knowing they gave me a hard time. As soon as I finish (1 more test then FCCA and CPNE), my wife and I are heading north! Trying to decide between Tennessee or North Carolina right now. Asheville and Knoxville are both great cities to live in and have ample opportunities for a new nurse with 7 years of paramedic and flight medic experience. Goodbye to the blue-haired, narrow minded, corrupt folks in the Georgia BON!!! I will not miss you! Sorry for venting, but this anger has been festering for a while now.

[keemabrooks]

Come to Charlotte, plenty of opportunities

[lizzyreg]

Just my two cents here, I don't know about the preceptorship idea, sound pretty good but doubt if this would be acceptable by EC and BON, I just think the CPNE should be graded based on points instead of a pass or fail basis, I think this would be a whole lot better!!

[CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P]

Lizzyreg, do you think that would change how state BONs looked at EC graduates?

[lizzyreg]

Don't know, I guess it wouldn't change anything, as long as the nclex pass rate for Excelsior students doesn't reduce.

[elkpark]

I actually talked to a close friendly friend who is an attorney with the Department of Transportation and he told me he would represent me in filing suit against the BON based on discrimination being that I am a male trying to become a Nurse and the fact that I am 1/2 Cherokee. He said that they don't have the money to fight it in court and that they would "roll over" and give me a license most likely rather than dealing with the headache of a discrimination lawsuit.

How would it be "discrimination" as long as they're treating you the same as they do every other EC graduate? (And why would hospitals offer their facilities and staff to provide EC graduates with preceptorship hours for free? Why wouldn't there be a fee? It's a big risk for the hospitals to take, with no benefit to them, and it's not any different than paying tuition to attend a school.)