I'm not in the bridge program yet, although when I am, it will be through Excelsior College. I'm switching to Excelsior from National American University, because NAU doesn't have its NLN accreditation, and I'd like to graduate from somewhere where my degree will be taken seriously.
You're spot on there; I don't know any bridge programs that will let you start without the "point A" degree either. Believe me, I looked.
I'd like to work in Colorado or its immediate neighbors, hopefully in the emergency department, or ICU eventually. I won't be satisfied until I've got my NP, though. If I'm still in love with emergency medicine by that point, I'd love to work flight for life.
I do have previous experience. I've been in healthcare officially since I was seventeen, with the bulk of my experience spent as a CNA, with PCT and phlebotomy sprinkled in. I know enough to recognize that I know very little, and I'm working to remedy that situation.
I see from your credentials that you're a BSN, among other things. Any thoughts or advice for a rookie interested in e-med?
Soooo I think it is important to be realistic. Excelsior is a program that really only works well for people who match the following:
1. Many years of extensive higher level care than CNA/PCT/EMT, example, 5 years as a paramedic, RRT, LPN, corpseman, etc.
2. A (usually current) employer or influential RN friends that wants the support the transition to nursing by providing clinical placement and extensive post-hire orientation.
3. The ability to work and study independently. (The final practical is expensive and has a colossal failure rate with very limited do-overs).
4. Acceptance of limited competittivenss in the marketplace and permanent limitations on where one can practice (several states, eg CA, will never let you have an RN license with an Excelsior degree).
The Excelsior entry requirements are obviously far less: schools are always happy to take your money.
You need to understand that Colorado is hypercompetitive for RN schools and for RN emplyoment. There is a glut, not a shortage. #1 above is because Excelsior has ZERO clinicals... and for that reason, states require you have a preceptorship or go to some other state and work for 1-2 years before transferring your license. Colorado has these rules: you will need to arrange, on your own, a 750-1000 hour preceptorship.
Unless you have #2 above checked off, you'll never be able to do this... several Colorado nursing schools (specifically the for-profits and ADN programs) are sending their students to LTACs and sub-acute for everything but the final rotation because there are so many schools. In CO, new RN licensing per year is up 50% 2010 vs 2000 versus only 17% population growth and 3 new hospitals in the state in that time. You won't be able to compete for clinical placement.
That brings us to what happens after you get your license. Who will the hospital hire? A BSN student who did their rotations at that hospital, or some online ASN student? In CO, new graduate RN positions of any type are very competitive, and there are virtually zero in the ED/ICU. Positions that exist will read "BSN required," and what isn't written is: "senior practicum in the ED/ICU, preferably at this facility." If you want Flight for Life, you'll need to have 5 years of ICU. If you don't find an ER/ICU new grad residency (extremely competitive), the job requirements in CO usually reads "1-2 years of acute care RN experience required, 2-3 years preffered, BSN preferred."
So think about an Excelsior career: likely have to move to another state and work in a sub-acute setting for 1-2 years and earn your BSN, move back to CO for med/surg for 1-3 years, then you will be able to try to get into an ER or ICU. 5 years of ICU, and you can get on FFL. That is a 7-10 year process AFTER you finish Excelsior.
In summary, EMT->Paramedic->Excelsior ASN/RN program is not the shortcut you might have thought. Given your goals, you either need to be prepared for a very long haul before meeting your goals, or go PA-C route, or choose a reputable non-profit BSN program with good clinical placements like CU Denver, Regis, Metro State, UCCS, UNC, or CSU Pueblo.
