ASN versus ADN and California

[Rachelle82]

Hi, my name is Rachelle and I live in Arizona. I am halfway finished with my nursing program at Cochise College and when I am done I will have an ASN. My question is I am not sure where the career path will take me when I am done (hoping to go to Oregon where I call home) and Arizona is a compact state so I can go to almost half of the US states and not worry about obtaining a license, but California I've heard is finicky. I was told California will not take anything from outside their state unless it's a BSN or an ADN. I don't know what the difference is between an ADN and an ASN? On top of that the lady I talked to today (forgot to ask specifically) at the California State Board didn't say anything about ADN or ASN just that I needed to have my degree. I am trying to find out if I can even get licensed in California with my ASN. The reason I am looking at California is because I have a couple connections there who could get me into a job so that I can get some experience under my belt since new grads are having such a hard time finding work. Anyways, if anyone knows anything (not just hearsay, but experience or first-hand knowledge) I would love the help!!!

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

ASN and ADN are the same thing: Associate of Science in Nursing and Associate's Degree in Nursing. Both degrees eventually allow a candidate to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

It's sort of like Texas using "LVN" to describe what most other states refer to as "LPN." Both can sit for the NCLEX-PN.

[Rachelle82]

Okay, I get that. Do you have any specifics on California though?? I heard they won't take degrees from any other state, but they have schools with ADN and ASN in their own state. I'm confused as far as they go. I get that there "shouldn't" be a difference, but does anyone know if there is as far as they're concerned.

[jennafezz]

No, they are the same, period. In CA, ADNs are also associates in science. It's just a different term.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

You have heard they won't take degrees from any other state?

You should probably call the CA board of nursing again so you can rest easy--I don't think anyone's answer here will make you feel better--but think about this for a second.

Many RNs--those who move, travel nurses, etc.--endorse their licenses to California. How would they be able to do this if California does not accept degrees from any other state? It sounds like you want to endorse your license anyway, rather than apply for initial licensure to California.

The only other possibility is that California determines that your school does not meet the CA program requirements. For example, my state will not allow Excelsior College graduates to get initial licensure here, but they can endorse in with 2 years of experience as an RN. Unless your school is unusual, it should qualify under the CA program guidelines.

[Rachelle82]

Well, my instructors are a little 'unusual' sometimes, lol, but overall it's just a regular community college associates degree program. I think I will call them back and see if they can say. I just thought I'd try here to see if anybody knew anything because it was difficult to get them on the phone. Thank you for your input!

[Samantha79]

You could always get your license in your home state and then transfer it to Cali. Sounds like that might be easier.

[Rachelle82]

Just talked to Cali earlier. Doesn't matter whether you are testing or endorsing they look at your transcripts before you get your license. They have prerequisites they want you to have in order to have a license in their state, they include sociology, humanities, and speech as well as the regular psychology, English, math, a&p, etc. So, since I need sociology, humanities, and speech for my BSN, I am going to go ahead and get them. Unfortunately my little community college doesn't have any speech classes so that I'll have to take somewhere else (crazy right?). That's the short and the long of it.