I'm done with my ADN with EC, looking for BSN

[derrickfl]

anyone here doing a BSN program, if so what school? I'm looking for one with no clinicals that I can do like EC, I know EC offers one, but I want to see other options....thanks

[perrik]

Excelsior is having issues with several states regarding licensure for their nursing school graduates. Do your research carefully! An up-to-date list of the restrictions is here: Excelsior College Nursing Requirements - iStudySmart

Some states have no restrictions. Some require that EC grads have been licensed elsewhere first. Some have different guidelines for ADN vs BSN degrees. And some (like my own state) say no way, no how. I should point out that one of the key negatives to EC's ADN/BSN program, according to the rationale for states' restrictions, is the lack of clinicals. California is absolutely off-limits for EC ADNs/BSNs who graduated after 2003; as I understand it, California's BON won't even accept you for licensure if your ADN is from EC and your BSN is from an approved school unless you ditched the EC nursing credits and started the BSN from scratch.

For other options, check out the distance learning forum on allnurses.com (Distance Learning for Nursing - Nursing for Nurses) for discussions.

(I work in the HR/recruitment side of healthcare and try to keep up with this sort of thing)

[derrickfl]

I have done my research...CA does not offer initial license, but will endorse on a case by case basis once your licensed for 6 months to one year as an RN and working. I believe only one state that I cant think of right off will not even look at you for licensure....I know many who have gone through the program and have been licensed and working with no problems. I think these states need to look at the students background and experience..I've been a LPN for 7 yrs all in acute care with 4 of those in an ER and the other 3 in telemetery.....

[perrik]

I thought Georgia did the case-by-case and California denied categorically?

If you're interested in working at Veterans Administration facilities, I believe you can practice anywhere if you're licensed, no matter what the BON restrictions are.

Excelsior presented their case for re-evaluation to Maryland's BON last autumn; I know the board voted in favor of considering it, but have yet to find any followup. California appears to be a lost cause by current interpretation of state laws, but I'm sure EC will keep trying.

It's a shame, because EC's nursing program has such a solid history. My primary care provider is a NP who spent a few years in Albany as an evaluator for the program.

[deepatt]

I received my ASN degree with Excelsior. The clinicals were not a piece of cake. I was the only one to pass out of 6 that attended the 3 day clinicals. What helped me was that I had been a practicing LVN for many years, my employment gave me opportunities to learn what the RNs were learning.
There is a big controversy over Excelsior not having enough clinicals, the big state of Texas was one of the states that was trying to deny giving credit to the ASN degree earners. This was managed to be overturned. With the lack of schools and teachers, online learning is one of the ways to go. At least is was for me. I have chosen not to earn my BSN but to earn a BHS degree in Management and Education. This degree is what is going to take me to where I am wanting to go.
Do a lot of research into what degree you are wanting, and PLEASE research these schools/colleges that are online.