I ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AFTER CHECKING WITH THE KANSAS STATE BOARD OF NURSING AND SPENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS AND TIME. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BOARDS DECISION. THESE PROGRAMS ARE ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE WEST COAST WHY NOT KANSAS? PLEASE RETHINK YOUR DECISION
I am a combat medic with 28 years in the Armed forces. I became a LPN in 1991 at a resident school in CA. My military benefits have expired and I must go it alone and with huge loans. Here in OR it is hard to get into a school. This even, with the nursing shortage. There are not enough nsg schools with seats avail. 250 -400 applications for 63 - 70 seats per class. Some of the programs run nsg school like a boot camp, beating you over the head with a bat. A certain amt of artifical stress must be created, but not the way some programs are run. This gives us LPN/LVN's a chance to further our nursing in a well organizated and accredited and well thought of. It is time that other states, and RN's stop treating Excelsior students or those considering Excelsior like they use to ( and still do ) treat Homeschool students. Remember it is Homeschool students that were winning many, MANY Of the state and National Spelling Bees!
I am a newbie at exclesior and I think we are better nurses than traditiojnal nurses I am a RRT and I have seen plenty of uncompentent nurses. 1 excelsior nurse knows way more than a traditional nurse just because we have to learn this on our own and apply it to CPNE and NCLEX
I cannot understand that any state board of nursing has a problem accepting Excelsior graduates. The school is fully accredited by the same agencies that grant accreditation for the other "acceptable institutions". I know for a fact that I have not bought my degree.
I really do not understand what the big deal is with certain states not accepting nurses who choose to advanced themselves through the Excelsior College. I think with how our world is today and the demand for qualified health care professionals, this should be the least of importance. What's most important is bridging this huge shortage gap especially for nurses. Too much politics is not good when people lives are at stake. What does it matter where one graduates. AS long as they are trained and qualified within their job description. The goal is to support nurses to be the best they can be.
It is not possible to work full time on a busy Med-surg floor and go to school full time to finish my RN, and Excelsior is a wonderful alternative. As a practicing LPN, I have and am acquiring the skills I need to work as an RN. I work side by side with RNs everyday and there are few procedures they can perform that i cannot. Do not take away this option to working nurses who wish to further their study.
I found that forgein nurses have more of a problem adjusting as they do not have sufficient english and also less modern training then Excelsior. Excelsior is always changing their curriculum to meet high standards. If one is n LVN they should be able to take this and be recognised as RN if they pass the boards. Most of the clinical is on the job anyway, entry level nursing! What are people doing about the shortage? I just do not understand!
If you can pass the NCLEX and have an ADN degree I believe you should be able to recieve your license no matter what! It would seem that you know your stuff.
I support this petition.As a EC student myself I fully believe it takes more to pass
Ec than the traditional way. It takes more dedication through Ec. I am also interested in finding out just how many other States and which ones they are that do not except EC.
I support this petition 100%. Wake up kansas! I would be completing my RN via EC. The N-CLEX is not an exam set by EC, but EC grads still pass the N-clex, and they go on to make great contributions to nursing. Besides, there is always an RN orientation program for every facility, so what's the problem Kansas?
I am an EC ADN graduate. I was eligible to take the CA RN board since I was granfathered in. It passed the board first time and I considered the exam was very simple. It's shameful to see those 4 years California nursing students who had taken the exam few times and still did not pass. My point here is it's not where you go for school but how you study and prepare for yourself. I saw nursing students roaming around my workplace freely with no instructor present and got no clue what they are doing. All they did was writing fancy nursing diagnosis and interventions. They don't even know how to assess the patient properly. I saw those new grads from those "acceptable" schools according CA state board, those new grads don't have any clue what they are doing. So what is the point for California and Kansas RN board to require their RN applicants must have enough clinical experience. To me, it's all politics. It's ironic to see the board accept foreign RN applicants. I fully support this petition because I think the board's decision is just plain wrong and is not justified from my personal experience.
I support this petition. I am currently an EC student and it is very scary to me that I have invested time and money and my education may not be accepted. I am military and many soldiers utilize EC because we are constantly mobile and are not able to go to school full time. No matter whether we are on the battle field or garrison, we are able to be students with EC. If this idea spreads to other states it will be a grave disservice to Soldiers deserving of this opportunity.
Please allow these students to be licensed in your state. I'm a nursing student now and we really go through alot to get to where we are and where we are going. We really dont need the extra headache.Please reconsider
I support this petition.I just graduated in Jan 06 from excelsior. I live in Connecticut. Just an FYI- although this state accepts
excelsior RNs- the
nursing board is NOT happy about it;
They have asked the
legislature to not
accept Excelsior grads-their argument is that lpns are becoming
rns without any additional clinical
hours-just the weekend excelsior clinical test out.
If THEY ONLY KNEW
how hard it is to pass they would reconsider their views. I accompanied a friend who had to
appear before the board and the excelsior issue was raised. The board seems to think of excelsior
as a "buy your degree" school-it is anything but. AS soon as I got home i called Kim
hedley the nursing
dean at excelsior
and they were very
grateful for the heads up because now alot of states
are following the sort of mentality
like, oh if kansas and CA arent taking
excelsior grads maybe we shouldnt
either.They are going to send one of their deans to try to stop this before it gets anywhere, the meeting is march 15 06. SO___BOTTOM LINE- Connecticut takes excelsior now but the state nursing board IS NOT happy about it- the legislature has said they will
accept excelsior grads -AS OF NOW.
Keep your eyes peeled, because if
the CT. nursing board has its way that will change eventually. Sorry for any typos-Thanks and hope it
helps for anyone who has questions on CT. E-mail me anytime RNOYCE01@snet.net my name is Dawn.
Excelsior College is regionally accredited and NLNAC approved, just as all other nursing programs throughout the United States. The nursing program accepts those with specific health care experience who are licensed as practitioners in other areas. As a paramedic, I am licensed to practice (emergency) medicine under the auspices of the medical director. The scope of practice in terms of skills performed is almost identical between RN's and paramedics. There are a few theoretical and practical approaches that are different, just as everything in life. Graduates from the Excelsior College nursing program are clearly hard-working individuals who are dedicated enough to work through the self-paced program and pass all required examinations. They go on to pass the exact same NCLEX-RN (national boards) that all other nurses pass ... so what is the problem? The Excelsior College program is ideal for a medical professional wanting to bridge over into a nursing career and at the same time maintain a life, job and family. States who do not accept EC graduates in this day of severe nursing shortages are truly doing no justice for the residents we all serve. If you ask around, EC graduates are at the top of the ranks in terms of clinical performance.
Excelsor is a great school. I was accepted into graduate schoool with the B.S. that I had received from Excelsior. I subsequently received a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine and passed the CA state and national exams for licensure in acupuncture. (By the way, the current pass rate in CA for the acupuncture exam is only 47%.)
The nursing exam is less stringent.
The RN board in CA is now allowing examinees an extra hour to finish the exam. (I assume that it is to allow more examinees to pass the exam.) This change was after the Excelsior grads were excluded. They also started allowing LPN's to do work under the scope of practice of an RN and are granting unverifed applicants a(temporary) permit to work as nurses. These and other draconian measures are being promoted in California. Laxities such as these could endanger the patients' and the public's health.
California is not better off for excludng Excelsior grads from working.
If safety is the issue, then I believe that the state board should double checking the documented clinical hours and clinical exam results. Why make a nursing shortage worse? The LPNs through the Excelsior program have already learned critical thinking "on the job" and through additional challenging academic exercises. Please reconsder this decision.
I went through hell to complete the Excelsior College program while supporting a wife and two kids. Some people don't want to abandon their families to attend a regular program that has a 5 year waiting list. can you prove that Excelsior produces a dangerous nurse? Please reconsider Thanks
Please keep in mind that in order to be eligible for enrollment at Excelsior, you must either be an LPN or Paramedic. The coursework is as rigorous, if not moreso, as a "traditional" learning institution.
As a student in the Excelsior Collge program, I think it is a mistake to exclude Excelsior graduates from licensure in the state of Kansas. Prior to enrollment in the Excelsior program, I was a CNA, nursing technician, EMT, and practiced as a Physician Assistant in Emergency Medicine for two years and Family Practice for six years. I would say that I, like many others enrolled in the program, have plenty of clinical experience. In light of the nursing shortage, you would be eliminating a lot of qualified nurses from practicing in your state.
We can bring them from overseas and accept their credentials, but an LPN trained in the good old United States of America still cant get her credentials validated by the KSBN! The times are changing and you should be able to mold with times as well. LPNS do all the work RN's do for less pay!
Its time you realized that we are able to become professional RNS online, since we are already professional LPNS!, ALREADY! and do most of the work RNS do anyway!
I have just finished my RN academics through Excelsior. I have 15 years experience ranging from PCU, Peds,Cardiology, I.V., Ventilatory and Ekg.Certifications.I think with all the clinical skills I have from 15 years of nursing, I should just be allowed to sit for the RN boards. If I pass, then obviously I have good nursing judgment, critical thinking skills and a strong knowledge of clinical procedures. What all this boloney boils down to is....there is NO REAL SHORTAGE, just plain corrupt politics and MONEY. I certainly know much more than any new RN grad. already!!
I would also like to say it is sad that international nurses can come to our country and after certain test they can take the NCLEX and be recognized but an American born LPN with hospital experience that obtain her RN through Excelsior has to work so many hours in another state before they can practice in Illinois or Kansas...Thank-you
I have looked at all options available to me to obtain my RN degree.
Because I have young children at home, work twelve hours shifts at night, AND have a husband who himself is going to fulltime college, Excelsior College is my only real option! I have been a practicing LPN for 12 years, and do not deserve to be penalized and held back from my fullest potential because the KSBN wants to be selfish and/or stubborn. This hurtful to me that I have actually been complimented on my professionalism and high level of care, yet the KSBN wants to hold me back!
Perhaps the state of Kansas should consider the Florida model of accepting Excelsior graduates. Florida requires Excelsior graduates to have been LPNs prior to them being considered for licensure by exam. This way, the state board can assure a certain degree of clinical time in all specialty areas, including obstetrics and mental health. Poor clinicians come out of every program. Excelsior should not be singled out!
It has been said many times that the best nurse was an LPN first. Excelsior Graduates are just that. These are the best, most knowlegable, most compassionate nurses available to any state. Not allowing these fine RN's not to practice in your state will be a major mistake for nursing.
I would like to mirror what Jody H. said, and believe it to be in the best interest of the state as well as its' residents to reconsider this desicion.
Please allow all that have paid fees to be "grandfathered" in. Please show the profession "that cares" that you care about them & are willing to go a little bit farther for them. I am sure that you care a great deal about those those that are affected or you would not hold the position of trust that you are in. Please give this area of concern more thought & prayer. Thank you for your consideration. God Bless
I am a BSN graduate from EC & am licensed in the state of Missouri. I think the EC students need to be grandfathered in at the very least; however, I will not work in your state & your decision will contribute to the shortage of nurses.
As a LPN/CMA and current Excelsior College Student, I can honestly say Kansas needs to reconsider. The EC program is accredited by the NLNAC. The LPN program in Wisconsin wasn't Accredited by the NLNAC. As a 4.0 student, the ADN program at EC covers more material than the traditional classroom. Furthermore, I work at a magnet recognized hosital on a medical/surgical unit and every day is a clinical for me. Also, ADN nurses can receive a BSN by home study and BSN nurses can receive a MA by home study, why not LPNs? All LPNs have to take the state NCLEX to become licensed RNs. I encourage those considering this legislation to reconsider. Sincerely,
Monica S. Hall
I feel taking aways such a great opportunity is a very bad idea! Nurses are needed EVERYWHERE! This is making it harder for those who wish to become a nurse, but are unable to travel, to get the education they are in need of! I feel you should allow this program aand let those who need their education get it!!
Soon I will finish my RN degree here in California and I am so happy.Alternative education programs are viable and are essential in this post industrial age.It is sheer ignorance to stop honoring students from Excelsior college who are smart and motivated and who bring to the table much clinical experience right from the start.Many of us are motivated ,self reliant professionals and we too should get the chance to prove ourselves and provide care to patients.There is no data to suggest Excelsior students are not up to par with other graduates from traditional programs.I have studied long and hard and its not fair for those who are already enrolled to be having this stress added to their lives!We need nurses-look around!This attack on Excelsior is unfair and I ask that you stop this needless prejudice now!
This is a program that many people considered a very strong benefit to being able to further their education. One thing that I feel strongly about is that if yourare going to take this oppurintity away from them that you reinverse the money they paid sob that they can continue their education with a different company. If you are not going to let Kansas residents use this as an additional education then it makes us look like we are living in the dark ages.
Excelsior College afforded me the opportunity to complete my Associate degree in Nursing without quitting my job, taking out school loans, or losing any practical experience as a LPN. Without their program, I would not have been able to pursue a nursing career. I am now enrolled to finish my BSN and plan on moving forward to complete a masters degree and practice as a nurse practicioner. Students in this program must pass a rigorous clinical which is nearly impossible without critical thinking skills and plenty of practice in the LPN role. Students who graduate from this program are as well qualified as any graduate from any other program in the state.
I believe that distance education gives adult learners a chance to seek the high education they hope for. Distance education should not be seen as sub-standard form of education, but as a derivative. Erasing the common misconception about on-line courses that it is much easier and less challenging should be abolished. In all actuality, distance education requires full discipline, determination, and motivation that many people may not have the capacity of doing. Excelsior College is one of the prime leaders of distance education. It prepares experienced health care workers to reach and attain the goal of becoming an RN, that for some may only be a dream. Forget the politics please let the current enrolled Kansas Students to finish and attain the Licensure they so hard work for.Thank You.
Excelsior College students are HIGHLY motivated in order to achieve a degree! Excelsior was the only way that I could have earned my RN licenes since there was no time or money to go back to school. The clinicals are soooo rigorious that they would not pass someone who they felt was incompetent to practice. Please reconsider your decision!
EC ASN grad here. Current EC students, it may be up to you to bring your BON out of the dark ages and into the present, where most people have to work full time while in school, and where redundant clinicals are not required.
I am proud to say that I have been a Licensed Vocationa Nurse for 28 years in the state of California and that I am now an Excelsior College Student Nurse pursuing my Associate Nurse degree.
