CA BON Education Requirements: BSN vs ADN

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BSN vs ADN: Are they the same?

Hello! I am a CA resident in the midst of a career change. I've been accepted into a ABSN program out of state that is "cheaper" (I use this word lightly) than many others. I also chose out of state due to being to impacted in CA. I am also looking into ADN programs out of state for cost, but now that I think about it I do not understand the nursing requirements. How is it possible to sit for the NCLEX with both if they have different curriculums? I have all my pre-reqs and social sciences done in CA so I am not worried about those. However, I am not really sure what to look out for in an out of state ADN program to be able to sit for the exam in CA. When I was looking for ABSN program I found something that said there are 58 credits in nursing needed and I assumed that was for a BSN, but what about an ADN? I worry about completing a program out of state and then running into trouble when it's time for the exam. Any info is appreciated, thanks!

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Either degree leads to the same licensure. BSN programs include things that are not mandatory for licensure but may set you up for higher level positions down the road. That’s why nothing changes when someone with an ADN completes an RN to BSN program. It’s just two different paths to the same destination. 

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17 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

Either degree leads to the same licensure. BSN programs include things that are not mandatory for licensure but may set you up for higher level positions down the road. That’s why nothing changes when someone with an ADN completes an RN to BSN program. It’s just two different paths to the same destination. 

Got it! That's helpful. I was worried because some programs have classes like pathophysiology or pharmacology while others don't, or the classes are different. For example: Instead of med/surg 1, Psych nursing, etc. The classes are listed like Nursing 1, 2, 3, and 4. I suppose the name of the courses don't matter as long as the content is covered. 

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Each state’s BON sets the criteria for what must be covered, but schools are able to arrange the curriculum as it works for them. That’s why schools may have different names for classes.

I will say that if you plan to attend out of state, be sure to check with the CA BON that they will accept the school- CA is notoriously strict on some points. Most likely if the program has nursing specific accreditation (ACEN, CCNE) you’ll be safe but better safe than sorry and double check. There’s a big discussion happening in another forum about schools that are under investigation by another state and those who applied for licensure are essentially in limbo (these are not nursing specific accredited schools and there are other issues with them)

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Specializes in oncology.
1 hour ago, Rose_Queen said:

CA is notoriously strict on some points. Most likely if the program has nursing specific accreditation (ACEN, CCNE) you’ll be safe but better safe than sorry and double check.

While ACEN and CCNE show that the programs has been evaluated with regards to faculty qualifications, financial soundness, a curriculum that covers all that professional nursing entails, NCLEX and graduation rates....this does not guarantee that the curriculum will meet California requirements for licensure. California requires certain classes that are not included in all colleges.

These courses are listed here:

Communication skills, six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units shall include principals of:

Oral communication

Written communication

Group communication

Related natural sciences, sixteen (16) semester or twenty-four (24) quarter units shall include:

Anatomy with lab

Physiology with lab

Microbiology with lab

Behavioral sciences (Psychology)

Social sciences

Most programs include these but not all. 

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If you get your ATT (authorization to test), which is a requirement of the BON, then you can sit for the exam in any state. You will be licensed in the state that issued you your ATT (and can practice in the compact states if it's a part of that). Cali is not a compact state. 

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23 hours ago, londonflo said:

While ACEN and CCNE show that the programs has been evaluated with regards to faculty qualifications, financial soundness, a curriculum that covers all that professional nursing entails, NCLEX and graduation rates....this does not guarantee that the curriculum will meet California requirements for licensure. California requires certain classes that are not included in all colleges.

These courses are listed here:

Communication skills, six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units shall include principals of:

Oral communication

Written communication

Group communication

Related natural sciences, sixteen (16) semester or twenty-four (24) quarter units shall include:

Anatomy with lab

Physiology with lab

Microbiology with lab

Behavioral sciences (Psychology)

Social sciences

Most programs include these but not all. 

Awesome! I actually completed all of these in my undergrad and at a community college in CA so I am not worried about these. I was worried about the actual nursing courses because everywhere seems so different!

On 12/20/2022 at 10:08 AM, Rose_Queen said:

Each state’s BON sets the criteria for what must be covered, but schools are able to arrange the curriculum as it works for them. That’s why schools may have different names for classes.

I will say that if you plan to attend out of state, be sure to check with the CA BON that they will accept the school- CA is notoriously strict on some points. Most likely if the program has nursing specific accreditation (ACEN, CCNE) you’ll be safe but better safe than sorry and double check. There’s a big discussion happening in another forum about schools that are under investigation by another state and those who applied for licensure are essentially in limbo (these are not nursing specific accredited schools and there are other issues with them)

I have definitely heard and seen the stress CA brings in all this. Thank you for th info, I really appreciate it!

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1 hour ago, summertx said:

If you get your ATT (authorization to test), which is a requirement of the BON, then you can sit for the exam in any state. You will be licensed in the state that issued you your ATT (and can practice in the compact states if it's a part of that). Cali is not a compact state. 

Hmm, okay so the ATT would apply for CA only since it's not in the compact. If it was then it would apply to other states as well. Good to know!

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7 hours ago, Amarie21 said:

Hmm, okay so the ATT would apply for CA only since it's not in the compact. If it was then it would apply to other states as well. 

If you receive an ATT, then you sit can in any state including CA to take the exam from what I know. The board has to approve your ATT. The only people I know that have problems getting their ATT are from the schools that aren't accredited. 

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