out of work all day on allnurses.com

I went through Excelsior College and graduated. Now I am an RN working as Director of Nursing in a long term care center. I think the college is great, but I have always been a disciplined self studier. You have to study the outline of the course and take an exam usually at a Sylvian Learning Center. Then after you complete all the required courses, you have to take a hands on three day clinical in a hospital setting. That is the most stressful event, but it is doable - I am living proof. You have to do some research because not all state licensing boards accept Excelsior college grads. I know the state of Georgia just changed their requirements and will not allow it any more. Georgia is where I reside, but I started Excelsior when I lived in California. There I knew alot of nurses who either had graduated or were enrolled. I think CA BON won't let your sit for the NCLEX if you graduate from Excelsior. Just get in touch with your state BON and see what they say. Also, this is only good for someone who is disciplined and can do well without a classroom setting. If this doesn't sound like something you want to pursue, why not change job settings. If you get burned out in one area, try another. That is the wonder thing about nursing. Good Luck.

I went through Excelsior College and graduated. Now I am an RN working as Director of Nursing in a long term care center. I think the college is great, but I have always been a disciplined self studier. You have to study the outline of the course and take an exam usually at a Sylvian Learning Center. Then after you complete all the required courses, you have to take a hands on three day clinical in a hospital setting. That is the most stressful event, but it is doable - I am living proof. You have to do some research because not all state licensing boards accept Excelsior college grads. I know the state of Georgia just changed their requirements and will not allow it any more. Georgia is where I reside, but I started Excelsior when I lived in California. There I knew alot of nurses who either had graduated or were enrolled. I think CA BON won't let your sit for the NCLEX if you graduate from Excelsior. Just get in touch with your state BON and see what they say. Also, this is only good for someone who is disciplined and can do well without a classroom setting. If this doesn't sound like something you want to pursue, why not change job settings. If you get burned out in one area, try another. That is the wonder thing about nursing. Good Luck.

Only 3 days of Clinical the whole time you're in school?

I don't know about Excelsior, but as a nurse it is very likely you will work 12 hour shifts - it happens in the USA and over here in Australia. Like with any job where you have a duty of care to patients/the public it's also possible that you will be required to work overtime to get the job done and in some cases keep somebody alive.

As a student I generally only do 8 hour days on placement, but I know that will change when I'm out in the real world. My father worked as paramedic and I can remember at least one time when he was on duty for two days (urgent patient transfer interstate) before coming home.

I've worked in a number of industries outside of nursing and with my longest working day so far has been 21hours. If you think 12 hour shifts are too much, then maybe you should think about if this is the right career for you because as a nurse you can't always leave when your shift is over - doing so might cost somebodies life.

As an Excelsior College student, you already have experience in the medical field - LPN, EMT, Resp Therapist, etc. - you are expected to already know this - you go for your clinical to show you know your stuff. Of course, the school gives you information to study so you know what they expect. The first day is lab simulations - IV push, IV calculations - gtts per minutes - sterile wound packing, injections - either SQ or IM then the next two days are with patients - you have to do hands on and careplans. It is strict but if you know your stuff, you can pass. It is all about skills, skills, skills.

If you think 12 hour shifts are too much, you're going to be a lot more limited in nursing....where I work, more nurses work 12's than anything else...

I've worked 12 hour shifts for the last 10+ years,..most of the nursing positions where I work are 12 hours (which of course means really close to 13hrs in the hospital). It's that way everywhere I've ever worked,...your wrong when you say "nobody works that many hours",.we all do it. Are you young? I'm guessing this is your first experience in the "real world"? I personally think 12hr shifts are a breeze compared to when I was in college and went to school all day, studied every moment I could and worked full time,...this isn't a big deal.

only 3 days of clinical the whole time you're in school?

hi vito! it's a 3-day clinical exam that you take in the excelsior program; like another said, you must already be an lpn, resp therapist, or emt so you have the background experience.

i'm outta work right now due to the fact that i quit my job because i was stressed out like nobody i ever met. working a whooping 12 hr shifts!!!! nobody works that many hours even managers quit after 9 hrs. so i keep hearing people on here talking about excelsior college. is that school legit, can you get a job from graduating from there. im suspicous of online schools because i got a cert. from one awhile back and it was diploma mill. do you get an rn or do you already have to have rn for to move up there in excelsior and get your bachelors or masters. it seem too expensive.

Excelsior is not a diploma mill.

Expect to work 12 hour shifts as a nurse.

You have to already be a LPN/LVN, EMT, or RT to be eligible for entry into EC's program.

Excelsior is an intense program. It is not a program to consider if you want to 'settle' for less, or if you lack the self-motivation needed to independently study.

Hi,

Since I became a nurse I started out working 12 hour shifts. For almost three years now I work 16 hour shifts on the weekends so I get 32 hours in two days. I can't imagine working only 8 because I am used to the long shifts.

bj

Excelsior College also accepts those who have completed at least 50% of an eligible RN program in the pass. You don't have to have clinical experience, most people do better without clinical experience. What can I say, old habits die hard.