[Tweety]

Our license in Florida only has our credentials as an RN. No indication whether we are BSN's or ADNs.

Good luck!

I find it so strange that a progressive state such as California allows non-graduates to take NCLEX, several of whom are later going to fail nursing school. Interesting.

[Wendy79]

Yes, definitely approach the board of nursing for accurate information. I agree (as I stated) that the license doesn't say anything about what kind of degree you have, it just says "nongraduate". This is the information we've gotten from our division of nursing, but only the Board can give you answers you know are accurate.

Edit to add: My understanding is that people with a bachelor's degree in another major can get a graduate's license, and that's why all the MEPN nurses can and in many cases are expected to sit for the NCLEX before completing a degree. Surely all those students aren't getting non-graduate licenses?

[suzanne4]

CA licenses do not list degrees, only that it is an RN license.

This issue has been coming up lately because of the direct entry MSN programs where the nurse is able to write the NCLEX exam when they have completed the required hours needed by the BRN for licensure. The required courses are still submitted to the BRN in order for the student to be able to write the NCLEX exam. Same thing with the programs that complete the required hours before the nurse graduates. But this is not the normal situation by any means.

Even with the 30 unit option for the LVN to RN, there is no degree that is issued, just a completing certificate. And they still get the RN license. The issue arises when the nurse wishes to endorse to another state, then if the degree is required, they are unable to endorse. Remember that the NCLEX exam has reciprocity, but that educaiton requirements can vary greatly among states.

But there is no license in CA that will list a BSN, or the MSN on the license. With the MSN, of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist title is issued, then they must get the additional licensure from the BRN.

Hope that this clears up any issues that you have. And if a specific question, please contact the BRN directly. They are easy to contact, I never have an issue trying to reach them.

[Wendy79]

This is where I got the information that non-graduates with any kind of bachelor's degree can still get a regular license when they take the NCLEX. Obviously it's a school website and not the BON, but it's certainly something to confirm with the BON about if you could fall into that situation.


http://www.csuchico.edu/nurs/student...html#LICENSURE

If you are licensed as a non-graduate, your license may be limited as to reciprocity in some states. That is, some states would not consider you eligible for licensure if you took state boards before graduating from a program. If you have already received a bachelor's degree of any kind, you can still be considered a graduate for purposes of licensure.

[Jolie]

Originally Posted by Wendy79

This is where I got the information that non-graduates with any kind of bachelor's degree can still get a regular license when they take the NCLEX. Obviously it's a school website and not the BON, but it's certainly something to confirm with the BON about if you could fall into that situation.


http://www.csuchico.edu/nurs/student...html#LICENSURE

Wendy,

I am pretty sure that holds true for only for CA. I know that IL, for example, will not license a candidate who has not graduated from an approved school of nursing, regardless of any other degree that person may hold.

Interesting topic.

[Wendy79]

That's something I was thinking about, Jolie, and it could bite some of these students in the back--sure, you can get a graduate's license in California, but that doesn't necessarily mean all states are going to accept it if you took the NCLEX before graduating--reciprocity may not be as simple as "regular vs. non-graduate license". I decided to go the typical route instead of taking the NCLEX early for the very reason that I didn't want to have any ambiguity about my license.

My guess is that fewer CA students are taking the NCLEX early these days because of the greater mobility of nurses--not as many nurses want to be stuck in California. From what I've observed, it also seems like more schools are moving to the accelerated second bachelor's, followed by master's, rather than the entry-level master's that does not grant a BSN.

[Jolie]

[quote=Wendy79;2231727

My guess is that fewer CA students are taking the NCLEX early these days because of the greater mobility of nurses--not as many nurses want to be stuck in California. From what I've observed, it also seems like more schools are moving to the accelerated second bachelor's, followed by master's, rather than the entry-level master's that does not grant a BSN.[/QUOTE]

Adding a BS to the Master's entry programs seems like the smart thing to do. The other option is to re-take NCLEX upon completion of the nursing education program. That would eliminate any restrictions on endorsing one's license, but let's face it-who wants to take that exam again!