Australian RN moving to California

[Paris.e]

Hello! I’m an American soon-to-be accelerated Master’s of Nursing student at The University of Melbourne in Australia. I’m struggling HARD to confirm whether I’ll be able to get licensed in California after my studies.

Anyone have any info? I’ve been tossed back and fourth between the nursing boards and the university. Essentially, if I can pass the NCLEX after school, it appears that I’m all good?

Any information would be appreciated!

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

California is one of the hardest states to register in. Even if you pass NCLEX in another state there is no guarantee that California will accept your paperwork when they do their own assessment

[Paris.e]

Thanks for the information, can you give me any insight on what that assessment looks like?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

California will want to review your transcripts and ensure you have clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult and anything else they deem important

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

In addition to Silverdragon's useful information- NCLEX is the same test no matter where you take it and a passing score is the same in every state. It is a comprehensive exam of nursing knowledge and application.

[aussiebro]

Hey

I am also from melbourne but with a 3 year undergrad degree and work in med/surg.

The issue with getting our qualification recognized in the USA is that we are lacking training in the following: obstetrics, paeds, psych. Apparently we dont cover those areas enough in our 3 years and obstetrics is another 1 year to be dual qualified RN/RM. Which courses to take, how many hours are required and where to take those courses are the questions I'm struggling with.

I have scoured the search button on this forum and all over the internet and the answer on how to meet these educational deficiencies is so vague.

Good news that it is possible for us aussies to be registered as RNs as I met someone who worked in the USA but she has over 2 decades of nursing experience, qualified midwife, CCRN, worked in paeds for several years, currently an educator, etc.

I have come across an old thread here about an aussie nurse who is working in NY as an RN but it was an old thread and the poster didnt share how the educational deficiencies were met.

came across this thread about an aussie who seemed to have met the obs/gyn requirement by doing a vague elective subject in child youth family? this is where im confused as american/canada RNs are also qualified midwives so they would have done alot more than 2 subjects. Also I believe the NNAS is for canada

Ive made an account and hoping to find answers and make a sticky so the information is easily accessible for others.

[Paris.e]

Thanks for the information! I too have come across a few nurses who seamlessly transitioned to the US but again, decades worth of experience.
where did you find the information on the subjects we’re lacking?

[aussiebro]

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Yes NNAS is for Canada. US usually require CGFNS although some other states will accept ERES or IERF

[ssrah]

I am wondering...I'm not from Australia but if I want to register for the nclex as a Canadian I need bon approval so can I go through CGFNS if I don't have an ssn for California?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You have to get a state approval so you need to look for a state, apply to said state following their requirements for international trained nurses and once passed NCLEX look for employer meet requirements for TN once that is activated and you get US SSN apply to California and wait for their response

[Sangita Adhikari]

Hello Paris,

Can you please update if you were able to get the California License. I am in the same board as I am also University of Melbourne Masters of Nursing Science Graduate. Not sure about the paediatric and ob/gyn requirement. Your replu will be very helpful.

 

Thanks.