ADN from a non-accredited school in NY and want to transfer license to CT

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I'm just about to graduate with an ADN from a nursing school in NY. Before entering the program I asked if they were accredited and they said yes. However, (Im now finding out) they're only regionally accredited by the board of nursing in NY (not NLN or CCNE). I live in CT, and wanted to know if I'm going to be stuck in NY forever or will I be able to transfer my license to CT????

Also I haven't taken my NCLEX yet, would the board of nursing in CT allow me to send my info and transcripts to them and just get my license in CT???

I want to further my degree and go to southern CT state university for there BSN-RN, but if i can't transfer my license, I will not be able to attend this university.

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this is definitely a tough one. Truly it all depends on the school. I am also looking at places where I can continue my education and most places want the school you came from to be accredited by NLN or CCNE. One of the girls in my RN class now is already an LPN and had to start from the beginning with us because the school she went to was board certified by the state but not by NLN or CCNE. Best bet is to call the school and see what their admissions criteria are before applying.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Most state boards of nursing do not pay attention to optional school accreditation when deciding to grant someone licensure. The NLNAC and CCNE, while important, are optional accreditation agencies. They are optional, not mandatory.

As long as your school of nursing is approved to operate by the NY board of nursing and clinical rotations were scheduled concurrently with theory classes, you should be able to endorse your NY nursing license to virtually all other states.

Yes, you can send your paperwork to the CT Board of Nursing and obtain a nursing license in that state without ever obtaining one from the NY Board of Nursing. Visit the CT BON website to see what steps you need to take to receive an initial license by examination.

Unfortunately, I graduated from an unaccredited program in Oklahoma, yet I was able to obtain nursing licensure in Texas and California by endorsement. The other states only cared that my nursing program was approved to operate by the Oklahoma BON.

Here's the major drawback of unaccredited programs: continuing your education is going to be more difficult. Many RN-to-BSN programs prefer or demand that your original nursing program be accredited by the NLNAC.

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Thank-you TheCommuter. I feel less weight on my shoulders knowing I can get my license in CT. Hopefully I can transfer to an RN-BSN program.

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