Wouldn't it count?

[David Offenbaker, BSN, RN]

I've heard of some stating that some hospitals want you to have more clinical hours-- therefore they don't want Excelsior grads. But, what if you work in a hospital before and during the Excelsior program-- wouldn't that count as clinical experience? :)

Dave

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

You'd think so!

Some of these BONs have language in the rules about the clinical experience being concurrent with the classroom portion. I guess that's the hang up for some. As far as hospitals go, though, they are all over the place. Some love EC grads; some think the EC grads bought their degree. Personally, I would think a boss would be happy with someone who could further his or her education without taking away time from the employer's establishment, which is part of what distance learning like EC is all about!

I personally learned so much actually doing the things at work. I remember when I had been an LPN for 3 months, training in a spanking new job in a different state, sheepishly asking the day shift RN to observe me doing a tube feeding that I had assigned for my shift because, well, I was SUPPOSED to do it in nursing school and had never done one in my other job. At least that RN was extremely gracious and never batted an eye to my request. I could, however, miter a bed sheet corner with my eyes closed.

Shoot--I'm going off on a rambly bambly.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

No one in my area has a problem with being an Excelsior grad. In fact, the program is highly respected.

[David Offenbaker, BSN, RN]

No one in my area has a problem with being an Excelsior grad. In fact, the program is highly respected.

Sue,

I wish many of the states thought the way NY does. Here when I mention to anyone I'm going through Excelsior, I always get, "you won't learn anything without clinicals". Here's my theory:

When I was in LVN school we of course had numerous clinicals. We got our rotation through med-surg, OB, ICU, OR, ER, etc. Even though it was good experience, we didn't really get "hands on" experience, except for the med-surg floor (which is what I do now). You don't necessarily learn everything in 4 hours of clinical-- but so many people don't see it that way (sigh)

Here's to being open-minded!

Dave

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Dave, the only people from whom I get crap are those who resent that I don't have to take them. Seriously. Listen more closely and you'll will hear the undercurrent of, "It's not fair! I had to yada yada yada." Some actually say it out loud.

"No FAIR!" isn't a valid reason to discount an educational program.

Excelsior requires one to be motivated, independent, and already a critical thinker - and I mean that about everything, not just nursing. And I frankly think that we're smarter than the average bears. We have no one to explain this stuff, nothing but texts and determination and excellent reading comprehension. And thank the FSM no one is trying to mold my character. At 55 I'm already fossilized.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

One of my coworkers graduated from EC when it was still Regents. She was an LPN for many years before doing the EC thang, and she had a little bit of a complex about being a Regents grad because many nurses around here go to some of the ivy-league-ish schools in the DC area. Then she went to a critical care conference, and she realized that she knew more than most of the other RNs. She realized that she should be proud of herself for obtaining her RN the way that she did, and that teaching herself all that she had can be worth more than a spoon-fed education.

We all know that EC is NOT the easy way out! I'm proud of myself for doing this, and my coworkers are proud of me, too -- from the diploma nurse who graduated in the 1950s to the RN who was an ICU manager for 20 years, they've all told me how proud they are to work with me as an RN! :)

[exnavygirl-RN]

My nurse managers have no problem with my doing Excelsior. They see what I do as a LPN and know I would be able to function as a RN. A lot of people don't understand the concept of EC's program and tend to make comments based on mis-information. I just keep myself focused and move forward.

My sister-in-law graduated from EC when it was Regents. She lives in New Hampshire. Her facility encouraged it. She is an awesome nurse and working on her Masters via Excelsior.

Most of the facilities here in Mississippi do not care where you went to school. If you have a License and a pulse you have a job!!! ha ha ha:chuckle

[JanWrotenRN]

I work for several agencies and therefore, go to different facilities. Unless I tell them I'm an LPN they have no clue that I'm not an RN. Usually, I work with other agency nurses who know that I was doing EC and they are interested in doing it too, so when we talk about it, the other nurses ask about it. Some pooh pooh it, but then get real quiet after I explain what is expected of us and describe the CPNE to them. Most will admit they could never do it. :no:I've been offered numerous positions in the facilities I work at BECAUSE I am an EC grad. They lovingly describe me as "anal" about many things that the other RNs are very laxed about and they admire the qualities that you must have to successfully complete EC.

I've been an LPN for 29 years and passed CPNE on 7/25. Awaiting my ATT letter to sit boards. Then it's on to BS/MSN!!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I've been an LPN for 29 years and passed CPNE on 7/25. Awaiting my ATT letter to sit boards. Then it's on to BS/MSN!!

Huzzah!

[David Offenbaker, BSN, RN]

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

I found out something interesting yesterday. The charge nurse on our unit was asking me about school. She knows I'm a little torn between Excelsior and Galen College of Nursing. She laughed and told me, "wait, did Excelsior used to be Regents?". She then told me she went through it in 1993. I was so glad to hear it because she is an AWESOME nurse!

One thing I really remember her staying was "They're not joking around-- it's a hard program.".

Good, I love a good challenge! ! ! !

Dave

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

LOL...I taught for Galen, after getting my ASN from EC. I'd say EC is way harder, FWIW.

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

One of the guys I work with who finished told me he ran circles around the traditional students because he's done many of the skills independently before. Even a few nurses I know who did traditional programs say that skill wise Excelsior students will be way ahead. I guess the idea of distance learning is still new and scary to some traditionalists.