BSN CA license question??

U.S.A. California

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Hi. I am new here and I have a question for anyone who might be able to answer it. I am currently 6 months into an accelerated BSN program in CA. My program in two years long and my school has recently changed the program so that we can sit for the NCLEX after our first year. Then we can continue the next year to finish our BSN while we are working as an RN. Many students are choosing not to go this route because they say that the BSN degree will never be shown on their RN license and that there is no way to change it after they receive their degree. Does anyone know if this is true? Seems a little ridiculous to me, that you would not be able to update your license to list that you have a BSN. It is tempting for me to sit for my NCLEX as soon as I can and begin working in the field. Please let me know if anyone can answer this, it is a major point of debate in my program.

CA licenses do not list degrees, only that it is an RN license.

This issue has been coming up lately because of the direct entry MSN programs where the nurse is able to write the NCLEX exam when they have completed the required hours needed by the BRN for licensure. The required courses are still submitted to the BRN in order for the student to be able to write the NCLEX exam. Same thing with the programs that complete the required hours before the nurse graduates. But this is not the normal situation by any means.

Even with the 30 unit option for the LVN to RN, there is no degree that is issued, just a completing certificate. And they still get the RN license. The issue arises when the nurse wishes to endorse to another state, then if the degree is required, they are unable to endorse. Remember that the NCLEX exam has reciprocity, but that educaiton requirements can vary greatly among states.

But there is no license in CA that will list a BSN, or the MSN on the license. With the MSN, of a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist title is issued, then they must get the additional licensure from the BRN.

Hope that this clears up any issues that you have. And if a specific question, please contact the BRN directly. They are easy to contact, I never have an issue trying to reach them.

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This is where I got the information that non-graduates with any kind of bachelor's degree can still get a regular license when they take the NCLEX. Obviously it's a school website and not the BON, but it's certainly something to confirm with the BON about if you could fall into that situation.

http://www.csuchico.edu/nurs/student...html#LICENSURE

If you are licensed as a non-graduate, your license may be limited as to reciprocity in some states. That is, some states would not consider you eligible for licensure if you took state boards before graduating from a program. If you have already received a bachelor's degree of any kind, you can still be considered a graduate for purposes of licensure.
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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
This is where I got the information that non-graduates with any kind of bachelor's degree can still get a regular license when they take the NCLEX. Obviously it's a school website and not the BON, but it's certainly something to confirm with the BON about if you could fall into that situation.

http://www.csuchico.edu/nurs/student...html#LICENSURE

Wendy,

I am pretty sure that holds true for only for CA. I know that IL, for example, will not license a candidate who has not graduated from an approved school of nursing, regardless of any other degree that person may hold.

Interesting topic.

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That's something I was thinking about, Jolie, and it could bite some of these students in the back--sure, you can get a graduate's license in California, but that doesn't necessarily mean all states are going to accept it if you took the NCLEX before graduating--reciprocity may not be as simple as "regular vs. non-graduate license". I decided to go the typical route instead of taking the NCLEX early for the very reason that I didn't want to have any ambiguity about my license.

My guess is that fewer CA students are taking the NCLEX early these days because of the greater mobility of nurses--not as many nurses want to be stuck in California. From what I've observed, it also seems like more schools are moving to the accelerated second bachelor's, followed by master's, rather than the entry-level master's that does not grant a BSN.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

[quote=Wendy79;2231727

My guess is that fewer CA students are taking the NCLEX early these days because of the greater mobility of nurses--not as many nurses want to be stuck in California. From what I've observed, it also seems like more schools are moving to the accelerated second bachelor's, followed by master's, rather than the entry-level master's that does not grant a BSN.

Adding a BS to the Master's entry programs seems like the smart thing to do. The other option is to re-take NCLEX upon completion of the nursing education program. That would eliminate any restrictions on endorsing one's license, but let's face it-who wants to take that exam again!

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