Pls,,can you give me some advice? I need help..=(

Nurses General Nursing

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hi everyone. i'm a new member here and i really need a piece of advise.as time passes by, i feel more pressured and useless esp. because i don't have a job yet.i feel like as each day goes, i'm becoming more worried and depressed.:crying2:

i was educated and finished my bsn degree in the philippines but i was not able to take the local nurses licensure examinations there. my family and i recently migrated to san francisco,ca and as of now i am still working on my application to take nclex-rn.i was not able to immediately apply because i was scared and thought that i was not really ready during that time.:scrying: little did i know, that the application and just waiting for your authorization to test would take some time. i should have known better.actually, i haven't submitted my application yet because i had other problems. in addition to that, obtaining the records from my school back in the philippines would take a lot of time. but after some thinking,i am already planning to have my fingerprints and send the application next week. i would also like to ask some questions about the nclex-rn. in my case as a foreign graduate, if i would be able to send the application and complete the necessary documents, how long do you think would it take before i know that i am eligible and receive the att?also, after how many days, weeks or months will you get the results if you took the test in san francisco, ca?

i'm also worried that even if i pass ( i really hope i would make it) i would not be able to get a job. i was looking into these new grad training programs but i really don't have an idea about them. can you give me an idea about them?how is the process?do they have certain dates wherein usually they offer these? do they offer them all year round? what are the basic requirements?aside from ucsf, do you know other hospitals that offer new grad training or internship program?

as of now, i'm reviewing for the nclex and so i stay at home. it seems that it would take some time to process my application so i'm also thinking of getting any kind of job because i feel that i'm a big burden already. i feel like it's hard to find a job now especially because i am inexperienced and also because of the economy. with all what i am seeing, i feel discouraged. i just really don't know what to think or do. if i do get the license, what will i do next esp. with this competitive market? and if i do get the license but can't find a job as a nurse, can you give me some suggestions on what should i do (related to nursing) to make my time worthwhile? i still have many questions but i'll just ask them some other time. :confused:

am i making sense? sorry for my foolish questions. sorry also for the poor grammar and construction of sentences.sorry for my long post. i hope that you could answer my questions or give me some advise. thank you very much.

0 Votes
Specializes in NICU, Nursery.

First of all, you should've taken the local exams in the Philippines. What will happen if you can't find a job as a nurse in San Francisco? California now requires submission of license for foreign nurses who graduated outside of US.

California boards takes about 4 weeks to release their results. The processing of ATT, Eligibility etc. takes a while a few months- a year max since you have to collaborate with other agencies- your school etc.

For training programs, just check online or in some forums here. Ask around too. I have to warn you, it's a competitive field these days. So be prepared.

0 Votes
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

First, do you have the LEGAL right to work in the USA? As in are you a US citizen?

If not, you may be subject to retrogression, which means a very substantial delay in working in the USA legally as a nurse. As in several years of delay, regardless of NCLEX status.

You might also reference the International forum, which has more information on licensure of foreign grads. Suzanne4, Silverdragon are very good resources.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Welcome to the site

You need to submit your application to Ca ASAP as on average for a foreign trained nurse waiting times for ATT and sitting NCLEX is 4-6 months. Ca may also not give you a license without the local boards but each case is dealt with individually and we have had members in the international forum post they was either refused or received a license from Ca. You will need to submit a letter stating why you did not sit local exam and they may or may not accept it. If you have a SSN and Ca will issue a license you will see your results on the BRN website 3 days to 4 weeks after sitting the exam. If you do not have a SSN then looking at 2-4 weeks for snail mail (all approx time frames for results)

Suggest forums to read

International forum

NCLEX forum

0 Votes
First of all, you should've taken the local exams in the Philippines. What will happen if you can't find a job as a nurse in San Francisco? California now requires submission of license for foreign nurses who graduated outside of US.

Sorry, But that is incorrect.

Cali does not requird local licenses. It requires a written explanation of why you don't have one.

You should contact the California Board of Nursing directly to verify this, not what you read on the internet or a fourm.

This is from the Cali BON website:typing

IN ADDITION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

  • A. Send Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs form to your school with the Request for Transcript form. Also provide the Certified English Translation form to your certified translator if your transcript is not in English. (See Supplemental Application Instructions for International Graduates with the application.)
  • B. Submit a copy of your license or diploma that allows you to practice professional nursing in the country where you were educated. If you do not hold a license, a written explanation is required. Also, provide copies of your certificates for midwifery and psychiatric nursing, if applicable.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml

0 Votes
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Jumping right in here....I don't know what you need to do first, but, you need to do something and not sit there worrying about what happens if things take awhile or don't go right. You will never know what will happen if you stay home and worry, worry, worry about what "might" happen. Starting asking questions here is a good thing. Lots of people here know alot about licensing!

Even if it takes a longgg time to be able to take the NCLEX, you can get that long time started if you get everything done leading up to it, and get into the waiting time.

Be kind to yourself and get moving!

0 Votes

Take a NCLEX review course, call the California Board of Nursing. If you lack confidence go to a local college and see what courses they provide for nurses.

0 Votes
First of all, you should've taken the local exams in the Philippines. What will happen if you can't find a job as a nurse in San Francisco? California now requires submission of license for foreign nurses who graduated outside of US.

California boards takes about 4 weeks to release their results. The processing of ATT, Eligibility etc. takes a while a few months- a year max since you have to collaborate with other agencies- your school etc.

For training programs, just check online or in some forums here. Ask around too. I have to warn you, it's a competitive field these days. So be prepared.

First of all, I would like to thank you for replying. :):yeah:

I also thought of that even before we went here in CA. I was all set to take the local nurses licensure exams there but had to change my mind the very last minute. I was really envious of my classmates and friends because I would not make it. I did not take it anymore because of certain reasons. Now I do realize, that maybe it's a bad decision but I maybe I should not dwell on it anymore and instead face the consequences.If I do not get a license, maybe I will just look for another career. :wink2:

Thank you again for answering my questions.:)

0 Votes
First, do you have the LEGAL right to work in the USA? As in are you a US citizen?

If not, you may be subject to retrogression, which means a very substantial delay in working in the USA legally as a nurse. As in several years of delay, regardless of NCLEX status.

You might also reference the International forum, which has more information on licensure of foreign grads. Suzanne4, Silverdragon are very good resources.

Yes, I do have the legal right to work in the USA. I only have an immigrant visa but I do know that I am allowed to work here.

Thank you very much for your reply! :)

0 Votes
Welcome to the site

You need to submit your application to Ca ASAP as on average for a foreign trained nurse waiting times for ATT and sitting NCLEX is 4-6 months. Ca may also not give you a license without the local boards but each case is dealt with individually and we have had members in the international forum post they was either refused or received a license from Ca. You will need to submit a letter stating why you did not sit local exam and they may or may not accept it. If you have a SSN and Ca will issue a license you will see your results on the BRN website 3 days to 4 weeks after sitting the exam. If you do not have a SSN then looking at 2-4 weeks for snail mail (all approx time frames for results)

Suggest forums to read

International forum

NCLEX forum

Yes, I will do it ASAP. I already prepared my letter.Thank you very much for the information. :)

0 Votes
Sorry, But that is incorrect.

Cali does not requird local licenses. It requires a written explanation of why you don't have one.

You should contact the California Board of Nursing directly to verify this, not what you read on the internet or a fourm.

This is from the Cali BON website:typing

IN ADDITION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

  • A. Send Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs form to your school with the Request for Transcript form. Also provide the Certified English Translation form to your certified translator if your transcript is not in English. (See Supplemental Application Instructions for International Graduates with the application.)
  • B. Submit a copy of your license or diploma that allows you to practice professional nursing in the country where you were educated. If you do not hold a license, a written explanation is required. Also, provide copies of your certificates for midwifery and psychiatric nursing, if applicable.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml

That is also what I know, that if you do not hold a license you have to prepare this letter. But I will try to verify that. Thank you very much! :)

0 Votes
Jumping right in here....I don't know what you need to do first, but, you need to do something and not sit there worrying about what happens if things take awhile or don't go right. You will never know what will happen if you stay home and worry, worry, worry about what "might" happen. Starting asking questions here is a good thing. Lots of people here know alot about licensing!

Even if it takes a longgg time to be able to take the NCLEX, you can get that long time started if you get everything done leading up to it, and get into the waiting time.

Be kind to yourself and get moving!

Thank you! You're right, I have to do something and stop worrying. :)

0 Votes
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