I'm currently enrolled in the Excelsior College Nursing Program. I have been an LPN for 33 years. I have finally came to a point in my life where I could actually focus on becoming an RN. I do still have to work full time while obtaining my degree. In this day and age mine is not an unusual situation. During the course of my career I have worked 10 years in critical care, I have worked in a closed staff HMO one on one with a physician, I have worked 16 years as an ADON in a long term care setting, and I'm currently working as an MDS coordinator. I would challenge any clinical experience a new graduate would have coming from any level of nursing education. My situation is not isolated. There are many LPNs who have many great years of clinical experience. Why would anyone want to deny an Excelsior associate degree leveled nurse the chance to become licensed in their state on the basis of clinical education, when they are already licensed and functioning as a nurse? Remember all Excelsior nursing students must have an active license. Remember also that Excelsior is NLN accredited. Please take time and thing this through fully.

Larry Stephens