What are my options?

[chloe247]

Hello,

I am in a somewhat difficult situation. It's about time that I start pursuing a career in nursing but I don't seem to have many, if any, options. I am active duty in the military, I work 9-5 Mon - Fri, and I live in Alamogordo, NM (the middle of nowhere with one school). With my job in the military, I will be stuck here for years so i've been racking my brain trying to come up with a way I can still become a nurse.

Let me know if this is a crazy idea: I would start off by getting my EMT basic certification online and then i'd find another online program to become a certified paramedic. I have found programs where the tuition includes flying out to the location for hands on training.

Next, I would apply to Excelsior and hopefully be accepted. It is the only online paramedic - adn program I could find.

From there, I would find an online adn - bsn program. I have completed my B.S. degree and all prerequisites but I might have to retake some classes that were taken in 2010.

Finally, I would apply for a direct commission as a nurse in the military.

This seems pretty crazy, time consuming, and costly so I am nervous and excited about the whole thing. Any advice? Thank you in advance for your time!

[chloe247]

Really? I know it's probably on their website. Since I have no interest in Excelsior, I won't be visiting that website. My point to you was, you need to have clinical hours to sit for the NCLEX. There is no way around that. Also, as GrnTea pointed out, they are a shady school and not many places will even let you sit for the NCLEX much less get hired from a school like that. And they are expensive. So when you are all said and done with your "degree", it really is worthless. Check and see where the military wants their nurses from. I'm pretty sure they want it from an accredited, reputable school.

Not sure what I did to deserve this reply. If you know absolutely nothing about the school, you have absolutely no "interest" in it, and refuse to look it up, I am not going to spend my time here educating you on it. I'm not saying this in a rude way either. Your reply was very unnecessary. I got your point that clinical hours are needed for the NCLEX but I guess you'll never understand how this one program works since you won't look into it. I do have my Bachelors degree and any education I receive afterwards isn't worthless as you mentioned. I do know how I would transition as a nurse in the military if I were to get my ADN from Excelsior & then further my nursing education elsewhere. I am working with a health recruiter and several nurses so that I'll have a mentor throughout this process. The school is accredited and reputable by the way.

I'd really appreciate it if I didn't receive any more replies from people who are too good for any of these options that I have since they are my only options.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

:: sigh :: When you come to an online board and ask for opinions, that's you're going to get. You can't tell people not to respond. We know how Excelsior "works," my advice stands, and of course you can take it or leave it. But don't complain that you got it.

Good luck to you.

[Seaofclouds, BSN, RN]

Are you planning to work as a paramedic? Excelsior's site states it is for "experienced healthcare professionals". It also mentions military corpsman as a possibility, so why not try for a MOS change if you are set in going in this direction. You could get the military to train you as a corpsman and get some healthcare experience.

I understand that you feel this is the only option you have, but please understand that this program is not going to set you up for success. Did you look at their CPNE (this is how they pass students on "clinical skills") pass rates? It was only 51.8% for those that finished in the 2013-2014 school year. The year before that, it was only 47%. That means after doing the whole program, only about half actually graduate and become eligible to take the NCLEX! And remember, this is from students that are "experienced healthcare professionals".

Reading their program information, they state that this program only for sure sets you up to be able to take the NCLEX in New York. Other states have additional requirements you will need to meet (many of which are clinical hours) in order to get a license in those states, so you may be limited in which states you can get a license/job.

In addition, while you are planning to then go into a RN-BSN program, you should start looking at what RN-BSN programs will accept your ADN from Excelsior. You have other options, even if they don't get you started right now. Also, you mentioned having completed your pre-reqs already, that's great, but many programs (RN-BSN) require them to be completed within a certain timeframe prior to your entry into the program. If they are more than 5-10 years old (depending on the program), you may have to retake those classes. Just something to think about.

Also, as you are also hoping to direct commission into the military as a BSN RN, please understand what the competition is for those positions. Right now, the competition is fierce for RNs looking to direct commission, it may get a lot worse (or better) in 6 years when your current commitment is up.

I understand you are already speaking with a recruiter, and that's good, but please think about what you will do if you don't get to direct commission into the military as soon as you get your BSN. If you truly want to be a nurse, there are better ways to go about becoming on.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

It sounds like a very roundabout route. Is there any way you could get some support from the military instead? Could you do night classes? You have a BS, it would make sense to do an accelerated program, but usually they are not part time. Have you talked to your superiors about your goals?

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I never told you any education is worthless after getting your bachelor's that you already have. I'm well aware of what excelisor is and I simply did not want you to waste your money. I think you are missing a few key points in nursing. RN is a license. ADN and BSN are degrees. If you got your ADN and sat for NCLEX and passed, you would be a RN. You don't transition to a RN from a ADN. I was trying to explain the process to you so you didn't waste your time and money, that is all.

You came to a public forum on the internet and asked us if we thought what you were doing seemed feasible. I do not. I think you are going about this wrong and could do this a more cost-effective, better way. That is all.

[chloe247]

I never told you any education is worthless after getting your bachelor's that you already have. I'm well aware of what excelisor is and I simply did not want you to waste your money. I think you are missing a few key points in nursing. RN is a license. ADN and BSN are degrees. If you got your ADN and sat for NCLEX and passed, you would be a RN. You don't transition to a RN from a ADN. I was trying to explain the process to you so you didn't waste your time and money, that is all.

You came to a public forum on the internet and asked us if we thought what you were doing seemed feasible. I do not. I think you are going about this wrong and could do this a more cost-effective, better way. That is all.

Wow I keep getting useless comments from you. Great way to use your time.

[chloe247]

Are you planning to work as a paramedic? Excelsior's site states it is for "experienced healthcare professionals". It also mentions military corpsman as a possibility, so why not try for a MOS change if you are set in going in this direction. You could get the military to train you as a corpsman and get some healthcare experience.

I understand that you feel this is the only option you have, but please understand that this program is not going to set you up for success. Did you look at their CPNE (this is how they pass students on "clinical skills") pass rates? It was only 51.8% for those that finished in the 2013-2014 school year. The year before that, it was only 47%. That means after doing the whole program, only about half actually graduate and become eligible to take the NCLEX! And remember, this is from students that are "experienced healthcare professionals".

Reading their program information, they state that this program only for sure sets you up to be able to take the NCLEX in New York. Other states have additional requirements you will need to meet (many of which are clinical hours) in order to get a license in those states, so you may be limited in which states you can get a license/job.

In addition, while you are planning to then go into a RN-BSN program, you should start looking at what RN-BSN programs will accept your ADN from Excelsior. You have other options, even if they don't get you started right now. Also, you mentioned having completed your pre-reqs already, that's great, but many programs (RN-BSN) require them to be completed within a certain timeframe prior to your entry into the program. If they are more than 5-10 years old (depending on the program), you may have to retake those classes. Just something to think about.

Also, as you are also hoping to direct commission into the military as a BSN RN, please understand what the competition is for those positions. Right now, the competition is fierce for RNs looking to direct commission, it may get a lot worse (or better) in 6 years when your current commitment is up.

I understand you are already speaking with a recruiter, and that's good, but please think about what you will do if you don't get to direct commission into the military as soon as you get your BSN. If you truly want to be a nurse, there are better ways to go about becoming on.

Thank you. I didn't know about that pass/fail rate; that alone would make me reconsider. Also, I wasn't aware of how competitive a direct commission is. Thanks again for all of your input. I really appreciate it.

[chloe247]

It sounds like a very roundabout route. Is there any way you could get some support from the military instead? Could you do night classes? You have a BS, it would make sense to do an accelerated program, but usually they are not part time. Have you talked to your superiors about your goals?

It does seem like a very roundabout route. I wouldn't be able to get support from the military for this. I can only work 9-5 because of my job. There are no night classes near hours (several hours driving distance). I have talked to my superiors and it seems like there's no way to do this. I thought I figured it out but after getting some feedback from you all, it seems like there's no way after all.

[elkpark]

I thought I figured it out but after getting some feedback from you all, it seems like there's no way after all.

It's not that "there's no way to do this;" it's just that the path you've identified isn't necessarily the most efficient way to accomplish your goal. As GrnTea noted, another option is to hunker down and save as much money as you can so as to be in a good position to enter a nursing program when you're done with your military obligations. It may take you longer than you had hoped, but there are ways for you to get what you want. Best wishes!

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

There are many threads on this site about Medics and Corpsman who have challenged the LPN in West Virginia and California. You have to be a resident of that state to challenge the exam. One thread led to a well documented discussion about an LPN license being accepted through the VA, as all they require is a license valid in any state. You may find some useful facts if you do a search.

There is an online LPN to RN option at Indiana State Univ but it requires the student to arrange their clinicals in areas in which ISU does not have an arrangements for their students. Again do a search here if that interests you.

Since you hold a BS you would qualify for an accelerated BSN program which takes 12 to 18 months It seems to me that would be the most expedient route to a BSN. You might be able to complete a portion of that, or the pre-requisites, online. Obviously you would have to relocate at some point which wouldn't be possible while on active duty.

Does the GI Bill still provide tuition reimbursement and a stipend for full time students with an honorable discharge? That might be enough to get by if you find inexpensive living arrangements in an area with a low cost of living.

Thank you for your service and best wishes.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Since I have no interest in Excelsior, I won't be visiting that website. My point to you was, you need to have clinical hours to sit for the NCLEX. There is no way around that. Also, as GrnTea pointed out, they are a shady school and not many places will even let you sit for the NCLEX much less get hired from a school like that.

Although the OP's plan is poorly thought out, I wanted to mention that Excelsior College is not a shady fly-by-night school. The school is nonprofit and has existed for 44 years. All of the nursing programs are ACEN-accredited. In addition, Excelsior College was deemed an NLN Center of Excellence.

The California BRN is the only state board of nursing that refuses to grant licensure to graduates of Excelsior's associate degree nursing program.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Although the OP's plan is poorly thought out, I wanted to mention that Excelsior College is not a shady fly-by-night school. The school is nonprofit and has existed for 44 years. All of the nursing programs are ACEN-accredited. In addition, Excelsior College was deemed an NLN Center of Excellence.

The California BRN is the only state board of nursing that refuses to grant licensure to graduates of Excelsior's associate degree nursing program.

They were a correspondence school for a lot of that 40 years, so let's not let them overplay that hand. And there are many states who place restrictions or extra requirements on Excelsior grads before they will grant them licensure.