Australian trained RN getting registered in California

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

it sounds like the nursing classes at ucla are not offered to non-nursing students, which is probably the case for the majority of nursing programs around the u.s. this may be the reason that the person on the phone probably told you that you cannot do this.... the bon of ca has no say over what a nursing school, where you are not a nursing student, is suppose to allow you to do. the best thing for you to do is to check out the international nursing forum. threads like this one may be of more help: https://allnurses.com/international-nursing/nz-trained-us-527207.html. gl!

NJMike · Jan 20, 2011

Over the years I've seen a lot of NEWLY CREATED "first time poster" allnurses accounts ask this same question in various ways. It gets old as the answer is always the same.

UCLA WAS helpful in that they gave you the answer all US nursing schools will give you. The truth is thousands of foreigners would like to work as RN's in the US but it's extremely hard to do without being an American citizen/having a social security number.

Orange Tree · Jan 20, 2011

Before you spend a lot of time/effort/money on CA, check out the job market in the city that you're interested in. I'm a new(ish) grad from another state who would like to work in CA, too.....but with my 1 year of experience, I don't stand much of a chance. New grads with no experience have even worse prospects. I wish I had something more helpful to say... :uhoh3:

TabithaB · Jan 20, 2011

Hi

I am an Australian nurse working in MA. It is possible to do these courses..........i didnt need to do peds as i had enough hours, but i did have to do obstetrics. I did this externally through Otago poly tec in New Zealand. It cost around 1000 dollars and it was basically a work book and i had to sort out a 2 week placement. I ended up not having to do the placement because i was able to show that i had done maternity placements through uni.

Message me if i can be of any help to you with the whole process, it is very confusing!

rshenry · Jan 20, 2011

The California BON is very difficult to work with! I am an RN in another state and can't endorse into CA because of the NLN Accredited school I graduated from. They don't care about the years of experience that I have either!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 21, 2011

Moved to the International forum

All I can suggest is contacting a few nursing schools and see if you can do this as a guest student.

crystelle · Jan 22, 2011

Australian trained nurse here too and now working in FL. I was missing the same too and did mine through "THe College of nursing" in Sydney http://www.nursing.edu.au/display.aspx?PageID=0&MemberID=0&screenheight=800&screenwidth=1280#. They offer distant learning too. Check them out.

Hi tabitha! Hope things are well!

ricky_25 · Jan 25, 2011

Hi
I am an Australian nurse working in MA. It is possible to do these courses..........i didnt need to do peds as i had enough hours, but i did have to do obstetrics. I did this externally through Otago poly tec in New Zealand. It cost around 1000 dollars and it was basically a work book and i had to sort out a 2 week placement. I ended up not having to do the placement because i was able to show that i had done maternity placements through uni.
Message me if i can be of any help to you with the whole process, it is very confusing!

TabithaB:

I was encouraged to read your post esp where you are ready to help with some advise. My wife is going crazy right now with all the confusion. She is a RN from Australia and has been working for 3.5 years. I am a US citizen and she will soon be getting her Green card / SSN after which the next step is come to US and take NCLEX in California.

Now she has done her undergraduate (4 year course) from India in Biotechnology and was awarded waiver for certain courses like microbiology etc. during her nursing studies for RN in Australia. She completed her RN nursing in 1.5 years because of course waivers. The course is actually a 3 year RN course from sydney

The problem that we are facing is as follows:

(1) We cannot send her transcripts and program details for assessment till she gets her SSN in USA. For that she will have to come to US, get her SSN and then apply for assessment of coursework to CA nursing board. They may ask her to take courses (pediatrics or Ob courses) for which she had a combined course in Australia titled "Child and family planning" or something on those lines.

Now she has some clinical hours in both but is not sure how much theory and clinical hours may be needed.

(1) Can she do course work in USA somewhere. What I read on the board is that it is not possible in any US schools

(2) Can she do online course for theory that is recognized by CA nursing board. For clinical hours she can go to Australia

(3) Are there any States in USA that do not require NCLEX type exam

(4) Are there any states that are OK with Australian RN degree "AS IS" and let you take NCLEX (if required) or let you work directly based on your study and experience in Australia

I will appreciate a response very much. The email address is "[email protected]"

Regards

rickyG

sarahbob87 · Jan 28, 2011

Thank you. I didn't add that i am a US citizan + have a SSN. I just attended college in Australia.

Does that change your response at all?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 28, 2011

I think you are still going to have an issue finding a nursing school that will accept you as a guest student whilst you make your hours up

allnurses Guide · Jan 29, 2011

Some people have been successful at community colleges based on older posts I've seen here. Others have done the required theory hours via distance/online and then completed the clinical in Australia at a university-affiliated hospital.