VA and EC

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 28, 2008

I had heard something about it, and checked the BON website -- it's right on the front page. There is a link to a Word document called "Special Announcement Regarding Distance Learning RN or PN Education Programs - Guidance Document 90-20." I'm not surprised, because Maryland did this a while back. It says this:

"As a result of changes to the Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing (18 VAC 90-20-10 et seq.) effective April 2, 2008, the Board of Nursing voted on May 20, 2008 that any student enrolled in a distance learning education program that does not meet the clinical requirements on or before April 2, 2008 must complete their program by December 31, 2009 in order to be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN and be licensed in Virginia. After December 31, 2009, graduates of the above programs will not be able to be licensed in Virginia by examination or by endorsement."

So there it is.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 28, 2008

And for what it's worth, that's about a year and half from now. I know that EC gave Maryland students a cut-in-line in the CPNE wait because they had to be done by 12/31/2007 (I think it was), and they'll work with students to get them scheduled quicker. It took me one year, one month, and one day to get through the EC curriculum and the CPNE, and that was with a wait of more than 6 months for my CPNE. So can it be done? Absolutely. But what you decide to do is up to you, of course.

rh39 · Jun 28, 2008

Wow that is chilling, it doesn't give someone who has just started the program much time to finish with the CPNE wait time. I am in PA, and I called the BON over a year ago and was assured they didn't have any issues with EC, but I am starting to notice a definite trend here, kind of unsettling.

I wonder if this continues and more states go this route, if EC will change their program, to find a way to satisfy the clinical component.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 28, 2008

I can't tell you how many flip-flops my stomach did until I realized that I was okay! Can you IMAGINE?! Completing the CPNE and finding out I can't take boards?! I'd move out of Virginia in a heartbeat. LOL! Or, as fast as my house would sell, which would probably take a couple of years. Ugh.

rh39 · Jun 28, 2008

Lunah,

Your right a year and a half is definitely doable, I didn't mean to sound negative, but it would make you feel under the gun....

Sigh... I really would not want to have to start over with the local university down the road for my RN..... might just give up...

Sorry, awful 8hrs at work last night, I think I'm kinda cranky.

Lisa

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 28, 2008

No worries! I just wanted to add that thought about the timing to my original post, but ended up making a separate post because I thought *I* was sounding a bit negative! :) I seriously thought I might throw up when I read the document initially, and saw that April 2008 date on there ... :no: But that's just when the 12/31/2009 deadline goes into effect. So essentially, I'm operating under that deadline because my grad date is 8/15/2008, and I completed the program 6/15/2008.

toicole · Jun 28, 2008

I am a what if person, I would hate to get to the end and just come up short. I would be wasting time and money. Reading that statement do you think you have to be done with just the EC program or you have to have taken the nclex in that time frame also?

NC Girl BSN · Jun 28, 2008

Goodness! You all made me go check the NCBON! Thank God it said it's still accepting EC! It would have broke my heart to hear something like that! For the above poster, it can be done but you have to work fast and hard. I would try to be finished and be CPNE eligible by October 2008. You also have to take in account the FCCA are not even out yet and you have to take schedule 3 test at Pearson vue. The CPNE wait is going to get longer with all the NC test takers having to be finished by Sept 09. If I were you, I would really make sure you are a self-pace studier because you have no time to waste precious moments procrastinating. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 28, 2008

To me, "complete the program" means just finishing EC and qualifying to take the boards. Virginia is a program completion state, not a state where you actually have to have graduated to take the boards. My graduation date is 8/15, and it's likely that I'll be taking the NCLEX-RN prior to that date. So yeah, I think you just have to be done. And like I said, EC will work with you to get you to your CPNE to make that deadline. It is a lot of pressure, though. *hugs* I'm sorry that you're in this position. It doesn't seem fair.

NC Girl BSN · Jun 28, 2008

I am a what if person, I would hate to get to the end and just come up short. I would be wasting time and money. Reading that statement do you think you have to be done with just the EC program or you have to have taken the nclex in that time frame also?

I was thinking the same thing. You would definetly need to add about 2-3 months for that because I heard that it takes up to 12 weeks for EC to send an offical transcript to get the ATT to take the NCLEX. IF you are studying while you wait on that you could schedule right after you get your transcript. IMO I think its cutting it close.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 28, 2008

You would definetly need to add about 2-3 months for that because I heard that it takes up to 12 weeks for EC to send an offical transcript to get the ATT to take the NCLEX.

It's only 4 to 6 weeks for them to process you for graduation, not 12 weeks. Thank goodness!!