To Excelsior or Not to Excelsior, that is the question....

Nursing Students Online Learning

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Hello all. Thanks in advance for reading. I'm an LPN, almost 2 years experience on a Med-Surg floor in a hopsital where LPN's are trained & utilized as much as the RN's. Great OJT. The situation I'm facing is this: I want to start back to school next year for the RN, but the question is: Excelsior or brick and mortar? I'm getting very close to making a decision, and I want bounce my thoughts off of others to make sure that I'm thinking straight. Here are the contingency factors:

1. the local cc nursing program is in disarray; not a good time to enroll

2. There is a local private college, very expensive, I'd graduate with large loan to pay back

3. There are other cc's in the next two counties, but I'd have to move, change jobs, etc. Not sure if I can even afford to move....

3. My mother lives in Virginia, age 85 but my son lives here in FL, not with me, but he's chronically ill and needs me from time to time (also has my granddaughter! :-). I'd like to stay flexible/be able to travel even while I'm in school, so I've been considering Excelsior HOWEVER

4. I am very concerned about the limitations states are putting on Excelsior grads; what if I want to move? what if I want to do travel nursing after graduating (oldest son lives in CO)?

5. ALSO: would like to get this (school) over with asap!

A friend of mine just passed the CPNE with Excelsior and only 2 out of 8 passed; they were the two with hospital experience, so I intend to continue at a hospital. Also, I DO need almost all pre-req's. Can you even do pre-req's with Excelsior???

Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions/feedback?

I'm older (54), smart, graduated at the top of my class, self-disciplined, blah blah blah. What do you other, more experienced people think? Thanks for reading! This forum is fantastic because of the fantastic people!

Hi, I'm new in this type of forum, but today I started to find out stuff about EC; there are three states that do no accept EC for licensing like California , Meryland and Illinois. The rest of states you can get your license directly or by endorsment from another states, and maybe with a few other req's that each state might add to the regular application.

Hi, Here is my question, I'm from GA and I need to get my RN license in a different state and then transfer to GA by endorsment.

Do I need to show proof of residence in the state I'm been license in order to take the NCLEX in that specific state?

What a bummer!! Is excelsior doing something about this, at the very least they should let new students know. They never mentioned to me that their degree wasn't accepted in all 50 states...

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

ec makes it very clear that the student is responsible for contacting their state bon and making sure that ec is accepted in that state.

what a bummer!! is excelsior doing something about this, at the very least they should let new students know. they never mentioned to me that their degree wasn't accepted in all 50 states...

"]ec makes it very clear that the student is responsible for contacting their state bon and making sure that ec is accepted in that state. "

just saying as a student of ec... the first time i have heard any of this was on this forum. i guess i just assumed the degree would be accepted everywhere. no one at ec advised me to check your local bon.

Because MA isn't an issue.

Specializes in Ortho/Med/Surg/Geriatrics.

Hi Ylla here in Ma. Are you with Excelsior I'm looking to find someone in Ma. who's also doing Excelsior...I've been an LPN for 27yrs. Recently lost my hubby(who was an RN and the primary breadwinner in the house) so in order to keep my home I MUST obtain my RN. The hospital I work at will start me off with a payscale reflecting 14yrs RN experience. That is certainly what I need to do to survive. I'm an OB nurse and a Childbirth instructor. I've gotten as far as I can as an LPN so getting my ADN is real important. IM me if you'd like. I need all the advice and support I can get! I'm testing Tuesday for Nursing Concepts 1

Thanks

Ylla999

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Ylla;

My advice would be outdated, and I'm sure the current students here will be able to give you some great advice. I just wanted to give you a supportive pat on the back, and let you know that you CAN do this!

Good luck to you!

it seems like most state boards have a "grandfather clause" including CALI........

Reasons I chose EC:

1. generous transfer credit

2. can go to school anywhere in us

3. reasonably priced

4. the degree holds up almost everywhere, and where it doesnt there is always federal work

5. the time investment is minimal (i was shocked at how easy the tests were...pretty much just common sense)

The CA grandfathering clause goes back to - 1973. It doesn't help current Excelsior students. A search on Excelsior's website or the CA BON will reveal that this battle is bitter and protracted, and not likely to be resolved any time soon.

refer to point 4.

If now enrolled in the nursing program your degree should hold up in states that currently accept ec (due to "grandfather" clauses).

The CA grandfathering clause goes back to - 1973. It doesn't help current Excelsior students. A search on Excelsior's website or the CA BON will reveal that this battle is bitter and protracted, and not likely to be resolved any time soon.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
it seems like most state boards have a "grandfather clause" including CALI........

Federal jobs aside, I was in the last graduating class that CA would accept with the grandfather clause. It does not apply to students that began the program after that, including current students.

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