What is happening with Excelsior's ACEN accreditation

caliotter3 · Sep 7, 2020

Assumedly, clinical experience is measured and validated by the CPNE.

londonflo · Sep 7, 2020

Before this last curriculum change, I thought they had 2 other clinical exams. So now the only time a student actually shows any viable clinical skills is in a hospital setting over 2 days?

This is so different from how the program was first envisioned by Carrie Lenburg. Before the internet, students received extensive packets with objectives that were going to be tested on in paper and pencil exams. References were also thorough and included. It was a system that worked for a self-directed learner. Students had to travel for those exams and did develop some camaraderie with each other. There were clinical exams for physical assessment and patient teaching besides the 2 day exam. The costs for traveling and the application exams were considered the same as someone paying for tuition.

caliotter3 · Sep 7, 2020

The program has degenerated over time as the institution has attempted to accommodate the negative response of licensing entities that took exception to the original premise: test knowledge and ability already possessed by the participant. Turning exams into "classes", whether online or in person, changes the entire basis of what was going on. They tried to make it into a "school" instead of sticking with being a "testing" entity. The current state of affairs is only what the detractors originally wanted. How dare anyone pass a licensing exam with knowledge and abilities that they possess in spite of not attending or graduating from the right "school" program. Those who originally received their degree in the first years were the ones who benefitted. That benefit is no longer there and won't be restored no matter how many hoops the "school" jumps through. Should have stayed with what they did best, assessment. Leave the "teaching" to the schools that have their classrooms next door to the bursar's office.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Sep 11, 2020

To answer your original question, they did appeal the potential loss of accreditation (on or around 26 August, I think) and they should hear something soon.

I think one improvement in the program is a verification process that takes place periodically during a student's enrollment to ensure that they are still providing direct patient care while enrolled in the program.

I graduated in 2008. The clinicals take place over three days with lab simulations on Friday night and patient care situations (PCSs) on Saturday and Sunday. It's involved and exhausting. The CPNE summary is available online: https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/nursing/cpne/

It does involve patient teaching, patient care, care plan formulation and application, etc., though it has changed over the years. They are currently authorized to do vSims due to COVID.

I do hope they keep their accreditation - there are a lot of students that will be unable to take the NCLEX in their states without ACEN accreditation.

CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P · Sep 12, 2020

With so many schools going online, I do wonder what changes may come for all online learning. Any current nursing students out there to give us your "online" experience?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Sep 13, 2020

My BSN program through Excelsior (2014) was entirely online. In my opinion, there is no difference in receiving in-person instruction except your instructions were posted on the website and you worked on your assignments from the comfort of your home and met established deadlines for uploading discussion comments and projects.

My current program (MSN through Capella, FlexPath option) has somewhat of an 'old EC' twist to it, in that I'm going at my own pace (about to begin my 7th of 13 courses since starting in July) and only contact the professor if I have any questions pertaining to the assignments.