California for initial licensure not recommended unless one has VISA

[suzanne4]

Over and over again, the moderators here have posted about not going thru CA for initial licensure, especially if you do not have a SSN#. You do not see you name posted on the website for the BRN, as you will not be issued a license until you are in the US and have a visa that will permit you to work.

It also takes about four weeks for you to receive your results out of the US, via regular air-mail. And the letter just informs you if you passed or did not pass; nothing more. And since a license is not issued, then you cannot endorse to another state with that procedure.

As many of you are aware, CA gives you three years to present them with a SSN#, or your file is destroyed and you start all over again. For those of you that decided to go with CA anyhow, you can apply to another state for licensure by examination while you still have a valid file with CA, and have them forward the results, and then get a license that way. Make sure that the new state issues a license without a SSN#. Suggest that you do not do that until it has been over two years of waiting, until you know what will be happening with visas.

Right now, you are looking at several years wait, depending on place of birth, for a chance to get to the US to work, there are no guarantees anymore; no matter what an agency tells you. They do not have anything to do with what USCIS does, and the fact that there are still more applicants than there are visas per year available.

We tell you things here for a reason, to help you. It does not make a difference to me as to what someone does, but when they come back later on when things are not working as they wanted, then it is time for me to say something. And this has been happening over and over again lately.

Best of luck to all of you, but please take the time to do some further reading before sending in one application for licensure. There is no application for the NCLEX exam, there is no such thing.

In the past, a few years ago, CA and NY were the only states that did not require the CGFNS exam; but that has changed significantly over the past couple of years, where only four do not require it out of all in the US. Things have changed and are always changing, recommend that you always check with the website for the BON/BRN that you are interested in. They can change requirements, and they do change requirements.

[suzanne4, RN]

Please take the time to do some reading on this site. This question is getting asked multiple times in the past week. Just use the search engine that we have here. Much has been written on this very topic and what you are going to need to do.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

We are seeing more and more posts in the last few weeks regarding Ca, SSN and obtaining a license. Making this thread a sticky as well as updated a couple of things in the initial post and moving posts relevant from the last week weeks to this thread to keep things together. If you have any questions regarding Ca and application please post them in here

[piggychan]

there has been so much written on this very topic here.

we do not have reciprocity between licenses in the us; only the exam has reciprocity and that just means that the results are accepted in all 50 states. and since ca does not issue a license, then the endorsement procedures do not work as well.

you will be applying to another state using the license by examination process and then have ca forward your passing results. but since you have another 34 months to go, do not even consider anything right now, or you will just be paying the additional fees for a license in another state that normally has a two year expiration and then it will need to be renewed.

[color=gray]hi suzanne and silver.

im a foreigner, ill be taking nclex soon and i chose ca. now i just knew this one. im a bit upset about this but on the lighter side, if (hopefully) i can pass nclex, i will be able to get a license as long as ill go back to square one, then choose a state that doesnt require ssn to obtain a license, then ill just have to ask cabon to send them a copy of my results but ill still have to wait for two years, right? m worried because i was one of the pioneering students of our school, so the cabons been really asking for so many things for evaluation..

please let me know if like changes occur..

thank you and god bless

much love, piggie

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

hi suzanne and silver.

im a foreigner, ill be taking nclex soon and i chose ca. now i just knew this one. im a bit upset about this but on the lighter side, if (hopefully) i can pass nclex, i will be able to get a license as long as ill go back to square one, then choose a state that doesnt require ssn to obtain a license, then ill just have to ask cabon to send them a copy of my results but ill still have to wait for two years, right? m worried because i was one of the pioneering students of our school, so the cabons been really asking for so many things for evaluation..

please let me know if like changes occur..

thank you and god bless

much love, piggie

bit lost to what you are asking but if you pass nclex with california you will not be issued a license without a ssn and with retrogression that could take longer than the 3 years that ca allow. ca will allow if done in a timely manner extensions are as you said you can look to another state but you will have to meet their requirements for foreign trained and for most submit an application for license by exam and get ca to forward nclex results

[piggychan]

Bit lost to what you are asking but if you pass NCLEX with California you will not be issued a license without a SSN and with retrogression that could take longer than the 3 years that Ca allow. Ca will allow if done in a timely manner extensions are as you said you can look to another state but you will have to meet their requirements for foreign trained and for most submit an application for license by exam and get Ca to forward NCLEX results

hi

so, ill just have to take it the exam then under the state of Ca.. so basically, after passing the test, youll have to back to applying again to a different state then just ask Ca to forward the results to them..

sigh..

thanks Silver..:nuke:

[alain_1023]

sorry guys if we keep bugging you with the same questions, but we appreciate all the help. now my own set of queries ... it may have been asked before ... but please bear with me.

1. is california really not the best way to go for initial licensing? if it's not, what are your top 3 choices as alternative states?

2. if i applied on these alternative states, will i have to work a certain number of years with them before i can eventually transfer to california (through what process)?

3. will the schedule for the actual nclex examination be faster in these alternate states in terms of processing?

4. you mentioned Texas to require a CES from CGFNS, is this another type of exam just like the NCLEX, how different and how similar?

5. if i did push through with CA for initial license, upon passing the nclex and with a tourist visa in tow, could i secure the services of immigration lawyers to secure an SSN for me? is this even adviseable or will i create problems with immigration?

hope suzanne4 and silverdragon102 can give their respective opinions on these.

thanks again!

alain

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

sorry guys if we keep bugging you with the same questions, but we appreciate all the help. now my own set of queries ... it may have been asked before ... but please bear with me.

1. is california really not the best way to go for initial licensing? if it's not, what are your top 3 choices as alternative states?

You should apply to the state you plan to work. California is now in a state of bankruptcy. The state workers are talking about going on strike.

2. if i applied on these alternative states, will i have to work a certain number of years with them before i can eventually transfer to california (through what process)?

Every state has there own requirements, once again best to apply where you wish to work.

3. will the schedule for the actual nclex examination be faster in these alternate states in terms of processing?

Once cleared you will given 90 days to take the NCLEX. Every state is different.

4. you mentioned Texas to require a CES from CGFNS, is this another type of exam just like the NCLEX, how different and how similar?

CES is a process where they review your qualifications.

5. if i did push through with CA for initial license, upon passing the nclex and with a tourist visa in tow, could i secure the services of immigration lawyers to secure an SSN for me? is this even adviseable or will i create problems with immigration?

As a tourist you are saying you are hear for the purpose of pleasure. The USA has had retrogression since 2006. When retrogression is lifted those nurses will be allowed in first, the line is very long. Over staying a tourist visa is grounds for deportation and being banned for many years.

I believe you can contact a US lawyer via internet.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

sorry guys if we keep bugging you with the same questions, but we appreciate all the help. now my own set of queries ... it may have been asked before ... but please bear with me.

1. is california really not the best way to go for initial licensing? if it's not, what are your top 3 choices as alternative states? generally is better to apply to the state you are going to work in but ca is definitely not recommended at the moment so really doesn't matter on which other state you go to as long as they do not require the cgfns ezam

2. if i applied on these alternative states, will i have to work a certain number of years with them before i can eventually transfer to california (through what process)? not that i am aware of. florida is the only one i have heard that makes a requirement when endorsing to them but some members have managed it without meeting their requirements and others have had problems

3. will the schedule for the actual nclex examination be faster in these alternate states in terms of processing? on average the states are about the same and look to 4-6 months the exception i would say is new york as you have to do cvs and that can take longer

4. you mentioned texas to require a ces from cgfns, is this another type of exam just like the nclex, how different and how similar? cgfns do ces and that is required by a lot of states and is just an evaluation of your transcripts, breakdown of hours both clinical and theory

5. if i did push through with ca for initial license, upon passing the nclex and with a tourist visa in tow, could i secure the services of immigration lawyers to secure an ssn for me? is this even adviseable or will i create problems with immigration? without a legal work or immigrant visa you can not get a ssn issued

hope suzanne4 and silverdragon102 can give their respective opinions on these.

thanks again!

alain

have answered in blue. with retrogression you are looking at several years waiting so plenty of time to do things properly. ssn is easy to apply for once in the us with a valid work/immigrant visa

[alain_1023]

medsurg32rn and silverdragon, thanks a lot!

your clarifications were quite enlightening. and yup i heard from the news that California is on the brink of bankruptcy.

if Ca is not the way to go and with the US on recession, why the fuss are nurses still applying for the NCLEX?

at your present estimates, which may take 5years at the soonest for the US to lift the retrogression, wouldn't it just be moot and academic for taking IELTS and NCLEX since they will expire anyway in a few years?

i'm confused with the long lines of RN applications which i believe the US are processing the 2005 applicants, once open. will they have to take the NCLEX & IELTS again? (which will mean double the expenses)

do you suggest we push through with our NCLEX applications and just cross our fingers that retrogression is lifted sooner than expected?

however if we delay our NCLEX applications until the US economy gets better, will it equate to lost time which will further delay our dream of working in the US and further set our application back in the waiting line?

hope my questions made sense. thanks in advance.

alain

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

medsurg32rn and silverdragon, thanks a lot!

your clarifications were quite enlightening. and yup i heard from the news that California is on the brink of bankruptcy.

if Ca is not the way to go and with the US on recession, why the fuss are nurses still applying for the NCLEX?

In the past nurses could come over and adjust their status, the government has changed this rule.

at your present estimates, which may take 5years at the soonest for the US to lift the retrogression, wouldn't it just be moot and academic for taking IELTS and NCLEX since they will expire anyway in a few years?

NCLEX does not expire if you have a current license, and yes, many will have to retake the IELTS.

i'm confused with the long lines of RN applications which i believe the US are processing the 2005 applicants, once open. will they have to take the NCLEX & IELTS again? (which will mean double the expenses)

Answered above.

do you suggest we push through with our NCLEX applications and just cross our fingers that retrogression is lifted sooner than expected?

It is best to take the NCLEX after you finish school, you will have the best chances of passing. Also get a position as a nurse, I often wonder how appealing the nurses who have waited for retrogression to lift and did not work as a nurse will cope. Many states require that you have current professional practice to renew a license. Some will have to nursing update course before working.

however if we delay our NCLEX applications until the US economy gets better, will it equate to lost time which will further delay our dream of working in the US and further set our application back in the waiting line?

That is a personal choice. One thing to consider, the US is undergoing health care reform. Many US nurses don't know how nursing will be effected. There is talk about changing models of nursing care, to me this means less inpatient nurses. Also there is talk of rationing care, which will also mean less nurses. When HMOs went into effect in the 1990s many nurses lost their jobs. Bottom line the American Dream may not be available like it had been in the past.

Not only do you have to wait for a Visa but find an employer to petition you. The petitioners have dried up since they have a backlog of foreign nurses waiting to come. Also since the economy has changed many hospitals have closed.

My best advice to you, is get a nursing position, get great professional recommendations and continue with education.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

medsurg32rn and silverdragon, thanks a lot!

your clarifications were quite enlightening. and yup i heard from the news that california is on the brink of bankruptcy.

if ca is not the way to go and with the us on recession, why the fuss are nurses still applying for the nclex?

people are probably hoping to get into the queue and who knows if extra vsias are found they may move a bit quicker

at your present estimates, which may take 5years at the soonest for the us to lift the retrogression, wouldn't it just be moot and academic for taking ielts and nclex since they will expire anyway in a few years?

for most states as long as you keep your license active you do not have to resit nclex again. if you get vsc then ielts is valid for 5 years (duration of the vsc) but if yo have to renew vsc then you will have to renew ielts or any other english exam you take

i'm confused with the long lines of rn applications which i believe the us are processing the 2005 applicants, once open. will they have to take the nclex & ielts again? (which will mean double the expenses)

answered above

do you suggest we push through with our nclex applications and just cross our fingers that retrogression is lifted sooner than expected?

however if we delay our nclex applications until the us economy gets better, will it equate to lost time which will further delay our dream of working in the us and further set our application back in the waiting line?

hope my questions made sense. thanks in advance.

alain

retrogression i think will be around for a few more years as demand is higher than visa allocation. plus current us economics means there are plenty of usc or legal residents that are loosing jobs and they should be the first to be considered for jobs that are available. only you can decide whether to continue with your application for the us however you also need to think of what you are going to do whilst waiting for a visa. i doubt employers will be happy if you do not maintain nursing experience whilst waiting

[alain_1023]

medsurg and silverdragon, with our correspondence i've come out with some possible options to take if i was to take the california route. kindly comment on them.

Scenario #1. i'll take the NCLEX through California. presuming i will pass this, i can have an easy time getting an SSN since i have a US tourist visa. i was made to believe that having a tourist visa can make it easier for me to secure the much coveted SSN?

Scenario #2. i will sit the NCLEX in California while in the US under my tourist visa and hire the services of an immigration lawyer to secure a faster release of working or immigrant visa. but will leave the US before my entry visa expires w/in 6 months. and wait for the lawyer to weave his magic.

my 2nd best option is through Texas due to some relatives and friends are residents there: since the CES and CG exam are 2 different things, i'm thinking well CES must not be that bad a thing since i don't have to take another round of exams coz after many rounds of exams it really gets pretty exhausting.

thanks for your inputs guys!

alain