I GRADUATED AND PASSED THE NURSING EXAM IN 2015 from Philippines. And to take NCLEX in CA

steppybay · Mar 7, 2016

You can submit the CGFNS report, but the CA BRN will require additional documentations from your school, the CA BRN does their own evaluation, since the CGFNS does not look for the concurrency compliance (yet).

Just know that you can still apply separately to either states and in either cases, the application fees are non-refundable, whether you cancel it or the application is denied or rejected by that state's BON.

If the CA BRN deemed your friend's transcripts as approved, then it's approved and able to take the NCLEX in CA. However, each case is always reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We've heard from other posters who's batchmate got approved from the same year of graduation and took the same classes together, but their application was denied and needed to re-take the courses.

How can that be? As we now know, either their transcripts was truly in compliance with the proper dates and was honest (and deserves the granting of the ATT) or in some cases, others have "adjusted or altered" their transcripts (as in fraudulent), their school altered their documentation (another fraudulent sneaky deal).

If you know that you took ALL your courses so that they were done in full concurrency manner, the dates are exactly matching the same time period and not 1-2 weeks prior or after, not 1-2 months prior or after 1-2 years prior or after, then you should be fine and able to pass the CA BRN concurrency rules, but if you knowingly have not meet the proper reporting dates, then, you can either take that chance to apply with the CA BRN so that if your application is denied, you're not surprised by their decision or simply move on to that other state.

Now you know why the CA BRN evaluators are very highly suspect of each application coming in from the PH. The others before have tried and gotten caught trying to pass off falsified documentation hoping to get pass the eyes of the CA BRN.

Even there's a hint of falsified transcripts, they will decline the application, but you will have one year from the declined letter date to file an appeal with the CA BRN, but you better have your written evidence and proof on why you should be granted the ATT (or endorsement as others have tried).

nicole1987 · Mar 9, 2016

Hi Steppybay!

I was wondering if you could help me also with this as I am new to this forum.

A short background:

I graduated in 2011, I am a licensed nurse in the Philippines, but I never practiced. Now I would like to apply for licensure in the US but I am confused on how to go about it.

My understanding on how to obtain a license in the US:

I am told I need to apply for TOEFL/IELTS and then CGFNS. After which I will be able to apply for NCLEX in any state. In my case, I am trying to apply in CA. The hurdle is that it is difficult to apply for NCLEX because of the issue of missing units etc.

The Solution:

I am told by some that there are ways to get a license and it requires going back to school in the US. I am advised to either

1) take up the missing units that the CA BRN will say I am missing.

2) take a masters degree in the US to be able to take the NCLEX in CA

3) apply for LVN, and then take the LVN-RN nursing units.

4) just apply to a different state.

My issues:

After taking either 1 or 2, what are my chances of even getting a job?

If I choose 3, will it be much easier to find work as an LVN?

If I do apply to a different state, will I be able to secure a job as an RN?

I really hope you could help me on this or perhaps link me to a post that has already tackled this.

Thank you very much!!

*Also, I am not a US citizen.

shesanurse · Mar 9, 2016

Hi Steppybay!
I was wondering if you could help me also with this as I am new to this forum.
A short background:
I graduated in 2011, I am a licensed nurse in the Philippines, but I never practiced. Now I would like to apply for licensure in the US but I am confused on how to go about it.
My understanding on how to obtain a license in the US:
I am told I need to apply for TOEFL/IELTS and then CGFNS. After which I will be able to apply for NCLEX in any state. In my case, I am trying to apply in CA. The hurdle is that it is difficult to apply for NCLEX because of the issue of missing units etc.
The Solution:
I am told by some that there are ways to get a license and it requires going back to school in the US. I am advised to either
1) take up the missing units that the CA BRN will say I am missing.
2) take a masters degree in the US to be able to take the NCLEX in CA
3) apply for LVN, and then take the LVN-RN nursing units.
4) just apply to a different state.
My issues:
After taking either 1 or 2, what are my chances of even getting a job?
If I choose 3, will it be much easier to find work as an LVN?
If I do apply to a different state, will I be able to secure a job as an RN?
I really hope you could help me on this or perhaps link me to a post that has already tackled this.
Thank you very much!!
*Also, I am not a US citizen.

Hi are u saying if you have a masters degree in any field they will let u take the nclex rn?

nicole1987 · Mar 9, 2016

Nope. Has to be nursing.

BlackBee · Mar 12, 2016

To Nicole

If you are required to take certain credits or units then why don't you take them for you to become eligible? Based on your story your BSN were evaluated and found out there were missing credits. So take those missing credits to fill the gap. Options 1 to 3 require you to take courses but among the 3 options......1 is the shortest route. Option 1 you only take what is required. Option 2 you take masters meaning you need to enroll and meet all the eligibility including GPA, taking courses you don't need, etc. ....and as far as I know taking masters means you have worked as a nurse too. Option 3 you apply as an LVN and take courses you don't need again.

Option 4 is I don't know...if bon ca found you are missing units, what are the chances you are not missing that for other states. there's a possibility that ca require more units but your report to use it to another state will still say your missing something, a gap of knowledge. This fact will not change that you are missing something. I don't want to judge you but why would you want to waste your money and going to the same process again to another state when you know your already missing something. Unless there's more to your story that you have missed out to mention.

I think what you should focus on right now is able to secure that your education is equivalent so you can sit and take the NCLEX. I don't understand why your wanting to jump ahead that far in finding work. Get your equivalency in writing first then your license and then work comes later. Whether you get a job that easily or not, this is a real world that finding a job will always be a challenge regardless of how good you were in school or whatever your degree was.

Cheers

nicole1987 · Mar 15, 2016

Great opinion. Thanks for this!

nicole1987 · Mar 15, 2016

Just to be clear, my main problem is finding work as a nurse as a non-immigrant. Of all my peers educated in the Philippines, only the US citizens, or immigrants were able to find work. All the non-immigrants who passed NCLEX in CA and the other states could not find work simply because they were on tourist visa. My friends who could not get a license in CA due to additional requirements were able to take them in other states. I was just wondering if taking the LVN route or having a masters degree increases my probability of finding work that will sponsor me.

Anyway, thank you. Your perspective pointed out how simple my problem is. I'll just get the missing units and get licensed first regardless of job opportunities for non-immigrants. At least i have something checked off the list.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 15, 2016

LVN will not meet requirements for immigration and I suspect finding employer willing to pay $$$ to sponsor a LVN will be more difficult than having RN

nicole1987 · Mar 15, 2016

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it!

steppybay · Mar 15, 2016

Just to be clear, my main problem is finding work as a nurse as a non-immigrant. Of all my peers educated in the Philippines, only the US citizens, or immigrants were able to find work. All the non-immigrants who passed NCLEX in CA and the other states could not find work simply because they were on tourist visa. My friends who could not get a license in CA due to additional requirements were able to take them in other states. I was just wondering if taking the LVN route or having a masters degree increases my probability of finding work that will sponsor me.
Anyway, thank you. Your perspective pointed out how simple my problem is. I'll just get the missing units and get licensed first regardless of job opportunities for non-immigrants. At least i have something checked off the list.

You would still need to provide the CA BRN with a valid SSN or now they accept the ITIN number, but in either cases, you'll still need to make sure you can qualify for them, it's not that easy. Google it or there's another thread on the ITIN.

You can go the LVN-RN route as well, just remember it's not an automatic thing, you'll still need to pass the various English and math exams and score very high on other pre-entrance requirements.

Besides the competition of other international nurses trying to go this way the primary applicants are the regular CA students as well as other out of state students also. Most schools do have a waiting list and again once you pass those other exams, they will add your name on their list.

The same thing with obtaining a Master's degree which is probably even tougher than the LVN-RN, as Master's programs are very limited in terms of class size. The qualifications are tougher with them being very selective with those with high GPA's, impressive letters of recommendations, etc.

That's not to say you should go for it, but just know what's up ahead.

Yes, you can go into other state's but endorsing back into CA only means if you're still with any possible deficiencies then they still have to be done.

Until you actually apply into CA with the non refundable fees and get your transcripts reviewed, then and only then can you decide what to do. You may get lucky and find you do qualify but if you know your cases were not concurrent then it's a gamble you can take and not surprised if asked for more additional documents then get the declined letter.

BlackBee · Mar 15, 2016

Just to be clear, my main problem is finding work as a nurse as a non-immigrant. Of all my peers educated in the Philippines, only the US citizens, or immigrants were able to find work. All the non-immigrants who passed NCLEX in CA and the other states could not find work simply because they were on tourist visa. My friends who could not get a license in CA due to additional requirements were able to take them in other states. I was just wondering if taking the LVN route or having a masters degree increases my probability of finding work that will sponsor me.
Anyway, thank you. Your perspective pointed out how simple my problem is. I'll just get the missing units and get licensed first regardless of job opportunities for non-immigrants. At least i have something checked off the list.

I read some problems with BON Ca. Coming from the Philippines is quite complicated. If you look for other threads about CA, you'll see the changes happened in 12 other states. I think one of your fellow countryman provided fake documents from the Philippines and that's where it all stemmed back. I heard lots of Filipinos are on tourist visas and or marrying us citizens just to stay permanent in there. The immigration and BON are getting smarter to weed out those problems. I agree with silver dragon that it's better for you to be an RN than LVN. If you want to be sponsored then RN is your best route. Steppy pointed out good points too. I have some Filipino relatives too and stated that the documentation being faked are everywhere. It's unfortunate that one stupid mistake of one person affects the whole nation. I am not new to that incidence. Back few years ago, Filipino physiotherapists were banned from taking NPTE and affected other countries as well.