BON not answering

vince_reads, BSN, LVN, RN · Jan 9, 2021

What state or territory did you apply?

Irodriguez46 · Jan 9, 2021

Georgia. Do you happen to know anything about this board?

vince_reads, BSN, LVN, RN · Jan 9, 2021

1 minute ago, Irodriguez46 said:

Georgia. Do you happen to know anything about this board?

I reside in California. You may keep contacting the Board there to see if you can appeal one course that you already took. Here in California, the Board is allowing a physical appearance at their office window for urgent purposes; this was pre-COVID, I don't know now. I don't know about there in Georgia.

Irodriguez46 · Jan 9, 2021

Thanks for your advice.

The Board over here is just not replying... nor are most colleges/universities I contacted inquiring about the courses. I just feel helpless.

In addition, I have been contacting universities around the area because I want to pursue further education (post masters or DNP) and they accept my transcripts without any issue. I have them certified by WES as equivalent to a BSN and a MSN in the US. I don't know how it's not acceptable for the BON.

vince_reads, BSN, LVN, RN · Jan 9, 2021

1 minute ago, Irodriguez46 said:

Thanks for your advice.

The Board over here is just not replying... nor are most colleges/universities I contacted inquiring about the courses. I just feel helpless.

In addition, I have been contacting universities around the area because I want to pursue further education (post masters or DNP) and they accept my transcripts without any issue. I have them certified by WES as equivalent to a BSN and a MSN in the US. I don't know how it's not acceptable for the BON.

Every Board of Nursing in every State/Territory has different ways to apply as an IEN. Each board has the authority to temporarily deny you for eligibility if they think you lack their requirement. It's up to the board now. You have to fight for it if it's already certified by WES that it's equivalent.

Did the board accept the WES certification?

Irodriguez46 · Jan 9, 2021

The Board doesn't usually accept WES certifications. I forwarded them my information through CGFNS and when I checked my licensure application status it said "accepted". After they got my Background Check and I paid for the NCLEX they emailed me saying that they deem my education incomplete and require me to retake 2 subjects (theory and clinical). They never answered me again.

I am currently contacting nurse licensing attorneys. I've read certain laws online from the Board, and just by having worked as a RN (according to their definition of an RN) for a long period of time they should waive my educational requirements. They haven't even offered me any preceptorship or re-entry programs.

And while looking up nursing programs to take those 2 subjects they're asking me to take I just get furious. I should not just be qualified but actually over qualified in comparison... specially looking at associate degree programs (which I respect and value, but after a MSN...).

vince_reads, BSN, LVN, RN · Jan 9, 2021

23 minutes ago, Irodriguez46 said:

The Board doesn't usually accept WES certifications. I forwarded them my information through CGFNS and when I checked my licensure application status it said "accepted". After they got my Background Check and I paid for the NCLEX they emailed me saying that they deem my education incomplete and require me to retake 2 subjects (theory and clinical). They never answered me again.

I am currently contacting nurse licensing attorneys. I've read certain laws online from the Board, and just by having worked as a RN (according to their definition of an RN) for a long period of time they should waive my educational requirements. They haven't even offered me any preceptorship or re-entry programs.

And while looking up nursing programs to take those 2 subjects they're asking me to take I just get furious. I should not just be qualified but actually over qualified in comparison... specially looking at associate degree programs (which I respect and value, but after a MSN...).

This is the first time that I hear someone is required 2 courses from Georgia. Now you feel the frustration that we have here in California as IENs, even more to those IENs who already have their Master's degree. All we did was to fulfill those requirements despite of having the BSN already or MSN, all because we want to stay here in our state.

Yes, you can feel us now that it's difficult to inquire schools because we aren't regular students here doing pre-reqs and all. I can still remember those difficult days. I probably inquired all nursing schools in the entire California. Goodness. Until I found a school with the other IENs who have the same case as me. And even up to this day, a lot of IENs are still stuck to this requirement since 2010.

It's frustrating that the board deems us temporary "ineligible" to take NCLEX-RN. But hey, hang in there. This will pass.

Despite of how you think you are qualified or overqualified, if the board deems you ineligible for now because of the lacking requirement, you have to fulfill it. Same as we fulfilled the requirement here in California, and some are still seeking to fulfill it.

Seek solutions while fulfilling the requirement. You might resolve this prior to completing the requirement. Good luck!

Irodriguez46 · Jan 9, 2021

Thank you very much for your sincere and thoughtful reply.

I am sorry if I have been way too dramatic or negative, but I just never expected to be in a situation like this... specially not completely by myself since my partner has not been able to get his visa due to the visa ban (and he is the only reason I'm here because it is his company who wants him to work here for a few years...).

It is just a completely tough and disheartening process. After studying for 6 years and having worked as a nurse my entire life, being told that I cannot do the only thing I know doing... and during a pandemic!

I end up questioning if all of this effort and work has been worth it or if I should just go back to Europe and leave the States altogether. Guess that for now I'll just take your advice and continue to try every path possible...

Thanks once again.

vince_reads, BSN, LVN, RN · Jan 10, 2021

3 minutes ago, Irodriguez46 said:

Thank you very much for your sincere and thoughtful reply.

I am sorry if I have been way too dramatic or negative, but I just never expected to be in a situation like this... specially not completely by myself since my partner has not been able to get his visa due to the visa ban (and he is the only reason I'm here because it is his company who wants him to work here for a few years...).

It is just a completely tough and disheartening process. After studying for 6 years and having worked as a nurse my entire life, being told that I cannot do the only thing I know doing... and during a pandemic!

I end up questioning if all of this effort and work has been worth it or if I should just go back to Europe and leave the States altogether. Guess that for now I'll just take your advice and continue to try every path possible...

Thanks once again.

Do not lose hope. Do not give up. You are not the only one who experiences this.

Your reaction is as normal as we have experienced here in California, and some are still experiencing. It makes you so disheartened, sad and frustrated. We felt these emotions since we received our letter from the board here. So depressing. We didn't expect this at all since we arrived here in the U.S.

It's tough because the pandemic adds another strife to this, but as I've said, seek solutions while fulfilling the requirement. Try to inquire as much schools as you can. Keep bugging the board to get what you need answered.

It's okay to vent out here. I feel you. I'll pray for you.

Irodriguez46 · Apr 20, 2021

Thank you!!

I just received my ATT.

I really thought I should have my experience shared here in case anyone else needs it in the future. In my case, I was sure I could satisfy the requirements without having to go back to university, as I already had 6 years of undergrad + grad education and 4 years of practice in different settings as well as research in a country with a scope of practice very similar to that of the US. Basically, it was all down to a poor report issued by CGFNS the first time. But, since both CGFNS nor the BON were giving me any real options or advice (sometimes they wouldn't even reply) I ended up hiring a lawyer that specializes in RN licenses. Due to having her contact this institutions, I was instructed to send further documents for CGFNS to assess and they issued a new report (actually this one also had mistakes and it took the 4 reports to get all my information right). Luckily, my lawyer has been very supportive and handled everything in a very professional manner. I do believe that she has also made this process faster.

Anyway, in my opinion, this organizations don't really care about us and are very "square headed". They do not accept anything that's not 100% exactly what they look for and accept no mistake, offer no guidance... it has overall been a very stressful experience, but I sincerely hope it was worth it.

Nar Nar RN · May 9

I know this thread is very old but can you share more information about your lawyer? Do they work with nurses from other states?