CA BON- I need some help

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Hi, (long story)

I am in the process of transferring my RN license from Georgia to California but I am running into so many problems with the board of nursing. I applied for RN endorsement, NPI, and NP furnishing in early February and I submitted all the documents that were required. I emailed them to see if they wanted an official or unofficial transcripts for my undergrad class such as anatomy, physiology, etc but I received a generic email 2 weeks later saying to look on the website. So I called them and long and behold after a 2-hour wait, I got a representative who hung up on me. So I called again the next day and they said I required official transcripts, so I sent them. I called them 2 weeks later to get an update on my process regarding my transcripts since they were electronically emailed to them, they said they will need another 2 weeks since they were " just received". Meanwhile, I sent them one official transcript for my school which contained both my RN and NP classes which will cover the RN/NP application requirement. They cleared me for my NP application but placed a deficiency on my application that I require a permanent RN license in order to get my NP licenses. In addition, they wouldn't use the same transcripts to clear me for my RN deficiency since they require to be official RN transcripts to be sent to the BON. Now here is the kicker, they would not accept my psychology class on human growth and development as a social science requirement and they want me to take a sociology class!!!! they stated, " in order to be an RN in California you need a sociology class". So I asked the representative can you please explain to me in logical terms how a sociology class will help me in my profession? are you telling me after spending 3 years in school, I have to go back to college to take a sociology class which was not required by any of the nursing schools that I applied to, in order to get my license. I literally lost, since I have been waiting on my license for 2 months, I have a job lined up and numerous representatives of the BON tell me that I am cleared and I should receive my license within two weeks. Mind you, I am an NP and sociology will not help me in my profession. I asked the representative if there anyone in the office today? she stated no because of covid everyone is working from home, I asked for her supervisor's phone number and she said could only provide me her email.

So guys what can I do I am literally losing it, I am afraid that I lose my job, I don't want to go back to college since I have to pay off my debt and I lost my money applying to the board of nursing bec there is no way they'll give me back my money.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

This is not surprising. It is well known that licensure in California is a nightmare and can take some people upwards of 6 months to a year for completion. It sucks but that's how it is there for some reason. It's why many employers want you to have a CA license before application. Good luck!!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

California has very specific educational requirements for pre-licensure/RN education. Many US-educated nurses from other states and international-educated nurses have been told of deficiencies in their nursing program in the past and have been denied RN licensure until the deficiencies are rectified. Did you take any social science undergrad course other than Psychology that can meet the requirement? You may need assistance from your school of nursing to justify or vouch for you that you did have the required courses.

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Sorry you're having such a hard time. California is unique for sure, which can be very frustrating! I don't have any suggestions or tips for you except just keep plugging along, if you can stomach it and can be patient. 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

If you are going to an area with high needs,  I would contact that state representative of that area to intervene for you.  

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Specializes in Neonatal, Parent-Child, Education.

By the time you sort this out, quite a bit of time may elapse.  You may want to consider taking the Sociology 101 course at Study.com (for college credit). https://study.com/academy/course/sociology-course.html This is not a university, but a education provider.  Certain courses are approved for college credit through ACE.  The California State University campus I teach at accepts ACE credit and numerous nursing students have taken pre-requiste courses for our program (such as Patho, Statistics). The classes are very reasonable and the extra transcript cost is also low.  The course is online and self-paced.  While this isn't what you want to hear, it's probably the fastest solution.

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It is 100% true, you need a Sociology class for licensure in California. There are some other types of classes (anthropology) that may fill the requirement, but you don't want to end up taking the wrong one because the BON is very specific.  That's why it's just easier to take a general sociology class.  Usually the general classes will be labeled something such as Sociology 1 or Sociology 101, Principles of Sociology etc.  Must be at least 3 units.

Nobody gets passed this requirement.  I understand your frustration.  As somebody who is a native Californian, I also felt it was a waste of time....but what can you do? 

Your best bet is to just enroll in an online class at your local community college and get it over with.

Good luck

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Specializes in oncology.
On 4/6/2021 at 2:37 AM, kevinm23 said:

I am an NP and sociology will not help me in my profession.

Are your patients alone in the desert without a social network to depend on? Frankly sociology will help you understand the network your patients come from. 

On 4/6/2021 at 2:37 AM, kevinm23 said:

Now here is the kicker, they would not accept my psychology class on human growth and development as a social science requirement and they want me to take a sociology class!!

Psych Growth and Development is NOT a sociology class.

Swallow hard, sign up for a class, stop being angry and enjoy your additional education which you and your patients will benefit from.

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Specializes in FNP-C, NICU RN.

 I'm having a similar problem with the California BRN and I'm licensed and have been working as an RN in this state since 2016. It's horrific.

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On 4/18/2021 at 4:20 PM, DrAres said:

By the time you sort this out, quite a bit of time may elapse.  You may want to consider taking the Sociology 101 course at Study.com (for college credit). https://study.com/academy/course/sociology-course.html This is not a university, but a education provider.  Certain courses are approved for college credit through ACE.  The California State University campus I teach at accepts ACE credit and numerous nursing students have taken pre-requiste courses for our program (such as Patho, Statistics). The classes are very reasonable and the extra transcript cost is also low.  The course is online and self-paced.  While this isn't what you want to hear, it's probably the fastest solution.

Hi, question for you. I'm in the same boat as the original poster except I just submitted my RN application by endorsement and was told I was deficient in "social science" as a blanket statement. I assume it actually means only sociology, as I have plenty of social science courses on my transcript. If I take the sociology course at study.com, can I request them to send transcripts directly to the CA BON? Will these get accepted?

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Specializes in Neonatal, Parent-Child, Education.

Study.com is the provider of the education but the American Council on Education (ACE) is the body that grants the college credit and provides the transcript (a badge now).  I don't know if the BRN will accept the ACE credit or not.  That is something you'd need to get a read on from them. 

If you get an answer, come back and let us know.

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Anyone find out if ACE is accepted? 

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