CA Board of Nursing

World Registration

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I was eligible to sit for the nclex for California.

Wow.. so I took my exam this September, went the distance all 265 questions. Unfortunately I didn't pass. Got my results and "near passing standard" all across the board so the news of failure basically tore me apart.

Now what makes it worse is after submitting the reapplication form and waiting for four weeks for a reply from the board, I get a letter today stating

:::: The Board has determined that the program you completed in the Philippines is not equivalent to the minimum requirements for licensure set forth in California Code Section 1426(d).

You may be able to view Section 1426 (d) and all other codes of the California Code of Regulations by going to our website at: www.rn.ca.gov. Once in the website there will be 'Tabs' at the top of the screen. Go to Regulations then to Nursing Practice Act and finally to California Code of Regulations.

California Code of Regulations Section 1426(d) states that theory and clinical practice shall be concurrent. The documents received state that some of the training was completed several semesters after the theory classes. ::::::

I email the evaluator in charge of my application and she explains ::::

You have options and that is to apply to the LVN Board or in another RN Board in a different state or go for your master's degree in nursing but in California you are not qualified as a RN without the Master's degree.

According to the RLE and the school's curriculum you should have completed the scrubs in NCM 101 and 102 but they were completed in NCM 104, 105 and 103. I am enclosing a copy of the letter that was sent to you yesterday.

I'm angry and sad at the same time. How is it possible that I was eligible to take the nclex the first time I applied and not eligible to retake now? I went from meeting the requirements of an RN to now meeting the requirements of an LVN. How is this possible?

They are saying I'm ineligible based on the dates of completion of my cases. The school requires 5 major, 5 minor, 5 assisted delivery, 5 actual delivery, and 5 cord dressing clinical cases which I completed or else I wouldn't have been able to graduate. All of a sudden Ca board is being technical about the completion dates of these cases. The school is well aware of the fact that completion of these cases is impossible to be concurrent with the theoretical classes. It is not always guaranteed that students will complete the needed cases in concurrent with the theoretical because there are times when there aren't any patients in the hospitals that we are rotated in. It is for this reason that the school allows completion of the needed cases through out the following semesters. We took the theoretical classes before we were allowed to go on our clinicals but the lack of patients made it difficult to complete those 5 cases during that semester. That's why some of my cases were completed one or two semesters after the theory classes.

Am I understanding this correctly? I thought all that matters was that my cases were complete regardless if it was completed in concurrent/along with theoretical or after theoretical. I learned what I was suppose to learn it just so happen that exposure to the actual thing came a semester later.

So now they are saying I can't sit for the nclex in California and I need to complete a masters degree to be qualified as an Rn in California. Is this possible? I went to school graduated with a BSN and in the end I'm told that I only qualify to be a LVN after submitting a reapplication for nclex. .

Clarification would be nice and I would appreciate any advice. This just makes me question if nursing is even the right fit for me cause it's been obstacles after obstacles.

ok thank you...

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In order to get an att you have to register first in pearson vue. And inorder for you to register you must have an eligibility from the CABON. And in order for you to get your eligibility you must pass all the CABON requirements especially the concurrency Issues which is for me impossibe if you graduated in the philippines.

Don't foget to even start the process with CA BON, you must have a SSN or all of the above, will get rejected and save yourself the application fee.

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hello do you have any idea if board of michigan is strict??and how many months before they give eligibility? thank you....

The only strict thing outside of the regular foreign pre-screening of your transcripts from an outside agency and the language testing (not sure of that, but check the BON site) is like what CA needs, which Michigan just changed like so many other states are doing soon (VT just changed also) is you must have a SSN to apply.

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Hi there jeffBSN,

You know what, we are pretty much the same. I graduated 2007, took 3 NCLEX-RN exams (unluckily failed), worked as a caregiver before I got married last year. Then after re-applying for the 4th time. I received a letter asking for my Clinical cases. I haven't submitted it yet coz I am getting frustrated already. All these time been studying hard for NCLEX-RN and all I hear from them is a letter asking for more requirements. If there is really a bias inh the system of CA BON against Filipino grad. nurses, guess the Phil. authorities should stand in between this. Now, Philippine nurses are now being disqualified to have the chance to be a registered in Cali. I know there are still 49 other states other than Cali that I can take the boards from but I cannot relocate now. I am 8 mos. pregnant and unemployed, married and my husband is the only one working for us. I am so eager to take the test before I deliver but my hands are tied at the moment. All I can do is tKE the LVN exam. Just wondering how I could get my original requirements from CA BON: my diploma, TOR (transcript of records), RLE book (related learning experience), syllabus outline .

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How many clinical cases do they need? (major,minor,delivery)

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Many states will not allow you to retest after 3 failed attempts without doing some make up. Some states require refresher after being out of school 5 years. And some states will not allow if you have been denied by another state,US grads who fail,their education is closely reviewed by the BON, there schools are contacted and held accoutable, how is this any different for a foreign grad who failed 3times.

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The only strict thing outside of the regular foreign pre-screening of your transcripts from an outside agency and the language testing (not sure of that, but check the BON site) is like what CA needs, which Michigan just changed like so many other states are doing soon (VT just changed also) is you must have a SSN to apply.

i have a SSN....im just afraid that i will be rejected again by board of michigan....thanks for the info

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i have a SSN....im just afraid that i will be rejected again by board of michigan....thanks for the info

A good part of your battle is taken care of just having a SS#, whew....but did you ask the Michigan BON if they have issues with the concurrency courses or minimum clinical hours? If they are not strict in that regard you might be able to get your ATT.

Maybe repost your concerns in the International forum here about asking of other possible nurses from Michigan, I would not post up in the Michigan state forum since those are more attracted to US based nurses and don't have too much of a clue of overseas assistance.

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Hi there jeffBSN,

You know what, we are pretty much the same. I graduated 2007, took 3 NCLEX-RN exams (unluckily failed), worked as a caregiver before I got married last year. Then after re-applying for the 4th time. I received a letter asking for my Clinical cases. I haven't submitted it yet coz I am getting frustrated already. All these time been studying hard for NCLEX-RN and all I hear from them is a letter asking for more requirements. If there is really a bias inh the system of CA BON against Filipino grad. nurses, guess the Phil. authorities should stand in between this. Now, Philippine nurses are now being disqualified to have the chance to be a registered in Cali. I know there are still 49 other states other than Cali that I can take the boards from but I cannot relocate now. I am 8 mos. pregnant and unemployed, married and my husband is the only one working for us. I am so eager to take the test before I deliver but my hands are tied at the moment. All I can do is tKE the LVN exam. Just wondering how I could get my original requirements from CA BON: my diploma, TOR (transcript of records), RLE book (related learning experience), syllabus outline .

So sorry to hear of your struggles, what a bummer to not have passed the NCLEX back in 2007, you'd be so far ahead of the nursing job game with a few years of RN experience.

I feel for you with the newborn on his/her way very soon. My good friend of mine just had to put down her nursing plans on the shelf for at least year or two since she just had her little boy a few months ago. I just wanted to wish you and your husband best wishes in not only nursing career but a nice and healthy baby! Good luck!

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Hello Melai12, did u applied LVN? Would u mind telling me how are the process. I asked the CABRN to send a copies of my documents to BVNPT now i don't know what's the nxt process.. I really appreciate any info.. Tnx

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A good part of your battle is taken care of just having a SS#, whew....but did you ask the Michigan BON if they have issues with the concurrency courses or minimum clinical hours? If they are not strict in that regard you might be able to get your ATT.No i havent call the board i just applied for ces though.... Im really scared cause this will be my 3rd application already im really losing hope... My 1st application was in cgfns cp program then they told me i lack pschy hours 2nd is my california and now MI.... So im rally worried.... Maybe repost your concerns in the International forum here about asking of other possible nurses from Michigan, I would not post up in the Michigan state forum since those are more attracted to US based nurses and don't have too much of a clue of overseas assistance.
I havent called BON Michigan but i applied for CES though.... Im just really worried cause this is my 3rd application. 1st is the CGFS CProgram 2nd is california and this is my final try michigan.... Im really frustrated i feel like four years of my education will be wasted... I hope everything goes well....
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Hello daffodilove: would u mind to email me the process in applying for NCLEX-PN.. I already asked CABRN to send the copies of my documents to BVNPT & now i'm confused what to do nxt.. I really appreciate ur help.. Email add: [email protected].. Tnx a lot

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