Applying to Accelerated BSN Program

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Dec 2, 2020

10 hours ago, sarahdesbrosses1999 said:

Does the NCLEX need to be taken in CA? Some of my classmates tell me that CA is one of the harder states to obtain licensure in, so it is in my best interest to attend school here if I want to stay

I am not from California, so I do not know the weird criteria that California would require that other states do not require. NCLEX is a national test. It is the same in all 50 states. You can go to school in Idaho, take NCLEX on vacation in Florida, and apply for a license in California. You do not need to apply for a license in the state you went to school.

cieethekid · Dec 2, 2020

You would just need to apply for your CA license once you've passed the NCLEX. From what I understand, it takes a bit of time to get everything situated, so I would start the application process as soon as you get the greenlight.

You can apply in Idaho (getting your compact licensure) and apply in CA, then you're golden to work anywhere you like. ?

sarahdesbrosses1999 · Dec 2, 2020

Thank you so much! ? So you are allowed to have licensure in multiple states?

cieethekid · Dec 2, 2020

1 hour ago, sarahdesbrosses1999 said:

Thank you so much! ? So you are allowed to have licensure in multiple states?

Yes.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Dec 2, 2020

2 hours ago, sarahdesbrosses1999 said:

Thank you so much! ? So you are allowed to have licensure in multiple states?

Yes and depends. If you live in California (non-compact) then you can have multiple state licenses. If you move to a compact state, any other licenses that are from compact states will be cancelled because you now have a compact license for that state.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Dec 2, 2020

5 hours ago, cieethekid said:

You can apply in Idaho (getting your compact licensure) and apply in CA, then you're golden to work anywhere you like. ?

Not if she moves back to California. You can not have a multi-state (compact) license if you are no longer living in a compact state. Her Idaho license would convert to a single state license.

cieethekid · Dec 3, 2020

16 hours ago, NICU Guy said:

Not if she moves back to California. You can not have a multi-state (compact) license if you are no longer living in a compact state. Her Idaho license would convert to a single state license.

Ahh, OK. I wasn't 100% on how it works but that is good to know for the future. So as long as you maintain residency in a compact state, then you keep the compact license and can obtain a single state license for those needed?

For example, I live in FL. I obtain my compact licensure for my home state. If I wanted to take a travel assignment in NY and then one in CA, I could obtain licenses for both (NY & CA) right?

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Dec 3, 2020

If you live in a compact state and have a multi-state (compact) license, you can work in any other compact state. If you want to travel to a non-compact state, then you need to obtain a single state license in that state. If you move residency from a compact state to a non-compact state, your license converts to a single state. If you want to do travel nursing, it is best to establish residency (home base) in a compact state.

I used to work and live in KY (compact state). I had a multi-state license. After a few years, I moved across the Ohio River to Indiana (non-compact). My KY license was converted to single state since I no longer live in a compact state. Last July, Indiana became a compact state. Since you can't live in a compact state and have a single state license from another compact state, I had to reinstate my Indiana license and apply for my Indiana compact license in order to continue working in KY.

FutureJ97 · Dec 17, 2020

On 12/1/2020 at 10:05 PM, sarahdesbrosses1999 said:

Hello All,

I am just going to explain my circumstances and hope that someone can offer advice. I am graduating this December with a BA in Human Development. I have completed all pre-nursing requirements and I am currently applying to schools. I am a California resident but Accelerated Nursing Programs are scarce so I plan to apply to some out of state. I found that Idaho State University offers a 12 month accelerated BSN program. I meet all of the requirements but basically I am worried that if I attend school there I will no longer be able to work in CA since CA is not a compact state. I am wondering if anyone else has attended an accelerated nursing program out of state and returned to CA to work. If so, was it difficult? Does the NCLEX need to be taken in CA? Some of my classmates tell me that CA is one of the harder states to obtain licensure in, so it is in my best interest to attend school here if I want to stay. Basically the accelerated nursing program is 24 months when compared to the 12 month one in Idaho. I checked and Idaho's program is regionally accredited but I am also wondering if going to a shorter program is going to hurt me in the long run?

In conclusion, I am confused and could use any insight at all.

Thanks!

Hi! It does not matter what school you get your BSN in. NCLEX is a license, and can be taken anywhere, as long as you choose where you want your license to be in. You can also get it transferred later down the line for a fee.

There are many other accelerated BSN programs. If you don't want to travel as far, I am currently in the ABSN program at Grand Canyon University. I am considering getting my license in California, but I know of many people that have attended GCU who got their license in California, Hawaii, and many other non-compact states.