B.S. in Nursing from Philippines, now living in California seeking nursing license

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Hello,

I recently graduated last year with a BS in nursing from Our Lady of Fatima University in Quezon City, Philippines and I currently live in Sacramento, California with my husband who is a US citizen. I am a permanent resident, have a social security card, and ready to apply for the California RN license. I have not been able to find out yet whether or not the university I attended is accredited or not in California.

I understand that California will not use CGFNS to evaluate my degree. All I see online is that I need to submit the following:

1) Fees associated with the application

2) Filled out and completed application for license form

3) 2" x 2" passport photo

4) Sign my signature on the "Request for transcript form" and mail it to the university back in the Philippines along with the "Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs" form. My university must then complete both forms and mail back directly to the California Board of Nursing department.

In addition, I need to have my university write a letter or demonstrate within the transcript records that all of my theory and clinical coursework was performed in parallel at the same time during each and every semester (which it was).

Apparently, Our Lady of Fatima University is asking me to fly back to the Philippines and submit this request in person, otherwise they will not handle this request over the phone or by e-mail as they do not have a process to handle this type of request.

I've also ready on this forum that if I were to spend the time, money, and effort to do all that I've listed above - I still may not get approved by the California nursing board. It is possible, but not guaranteed. My next question would be if I could take a couple additional courses to bring my bachelor's degree up to par to the same degree in in California, but it's not clear what those course would be or which school would be able to transfer most of my units from the Philippines.

The last option I've heard about is getting my nursing license in Nevada and then transferring to California where I currently live with my husband.

The steps I've seen with this approach is:

1) Order CGFNS-CES online for $335.

2) Have the nursing school in the Philippines forward my transcripts

3) Get the Livescan fingerprinting completed

4) Take the English proficiency exam - where did you take this at? In Nevada?

5) Pay $200 for NCLEX at pearsonvue.com/nclex

I've heard there are obstacles with taking this path as well.

In summary, it sounds like I either need to:

A) fly back to the Philippines to request in person for my university to accurately and completely fill out all of the forms from the California nursing board and then submit everything hoping the CA nursing board accepts everything

B) transfer as many units as possible and take additional coursework to get a BS degree here in California - then apply as a local graduate instead of an international graduate

or

C) Attempt to get licensed in Nevada and somehow transfer the license over to California.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback from others in this forum if you have any good advice or suggestions.

Thanks!

Ana

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Registration forum

You have listed that you are aware of issues then are you aware that the issues may still be there even if you get denied by CA go to another state meet requirements and get a license and then try to endorse to CA?

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I read your post and i understand what you are going thru. But have you tried sending SPA to someone in the philippines to have it processed for you? Im also from the Phils and thats what i did.

I pm you though

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Hi I also graduated from Our lady of F@atima University in the Philippines but before that I also studied from another school. I passed the local board exam. I am now a permanent green card holder here in the U.S and I am planning to take the nclex in california. I was wondering if I need to get transcripts from both schools I attended or just one from where I graduated ?Thanks in advance..

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Hi I also graduated from Our lady of F@atima University in the Philippines but before that I also studied from another school. I passed the local board exam. I am now a permanent green card holder here in the U.S and I am planning to take the nclex in california. I was wondering if I need to get transcripts from both schools I attended or just one from where I graduated ?Thanks in advance..

You'll need both school's transcripts as they need to show all your courses and their related clinical hours and dates.

Just be prepared for the letter from the CA BRN requesting for further documentation and that's usually where the majority of PH applicants will find the cause of their application to be declined due to not meeting the concurrency rules upon further review.

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Thanks for the info! Someone told me to take first the LVN exam.

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Hi! I'm from sacramento too. I graduated last 2011 in Ph

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Graduated March 2012 olfu qc fiso I'm in Cali

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Hi guys, I have few questions regarding out-of-state license endorsement to California . I finished my BSN degree in the Philippines way back year 2011 then I passed the board taken same year, since then I didnt get d chance to practice it . I'm an NCLEX-RN passer and currently reside in California . I am now contemplating of which path should I choose between studying or gaining experience. Should I endorse my license to California and take the deficiencies or take a risk , go to other state and gain atleast 1-2 years experience. Any inputs would be highly appreciated. Thank you

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