CA BRN new changes affecting International Nurses with NO SSN

allnurses Guide · Apr 30, 2010

Wow....

elkpark · Apr 30, 2010

Makes sense to me ...

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Apr 30, 2010

It does make sense to me that California would "cut to the chase" and just stop those without a US SSN to sit for the exam rather than have the candidate sit for the exam only to learn later that they are not going to get a license once they pass. However, this rule does raise the question of whether boards of nursing who are really tasked with regulating the practice of professional nursing alone could meddle with issues pertaining to legal status and employment eligibilities when there are state agencies that already deal with this. Not that the move affects me at all or I'm in complete disagreement with it but the new rule could easily be taken negatively as a stand on anti-immigration.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2010

I have read that many IEN complain why does do Boards of Nursing take money know that they will not issue a license.

Due to the fact currently there is no nursing shortages and states have limited resources that states will be taking money from IEN who won't be able to practice nursing.

Ace587RN, RN · Apr 30, 2010

Makes sense to me.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 1, 2010

California had 25,000+ applications yr 7/08-7/09 to process with limited staff to handle work and furloughed workers. Think they must be reading our website to see# people applying to CA who

a. Due to regression are not able to come to US within 3 yrs license being issued

b. Have no intention of practicing in the state, only using CA as springboard to get license elsewhere --creating tons of paperwork, numerous repeat calls/emails from applicants re missing paperwork (some created by boards own slowness/misplacement)

--- tons of business work without future financial benefit to the state from employment/taxes and not supporting CA economy.

As a Manager, it makes business sense to me to enforce exsisting laws....sure will help in meeting 15% cost eduction Governor requiring each public state department.

elkpark · May 1, 2010

California had 25,000+ applications yr 7/08-7/09 to process with limited staff to handle work and furloughed workers. Think they must be reading our website to see# people applying to CA who
a. Due to regression are not able to come to US within 3 yrs license being issued
b. Have no intention of practicing in the state, only using CA as springboard to get license elsewhere --creating tons of paperwork, numerous repeat calls/emails from applicants re missing paperwork (some created by boards own slowness/misplacement)
--- tons of business work without future financial benefit to the state from employment/taxes and not supporting CA economy.
As a Manager, it makes business sense to me to enforce exsisting laws....sure will help in meeting 15% cost eduction Governor requiring each public state department.

Exactly ... I've wondered for a long time why CA was willing to put up with being "used" in this way, and I'm surprised all states don't require a SSN for license application.

dvsbec · May 1, 2010

I may be in the minority here, but surely this is going to create problems for international nurses? Retrogression and the issue of no jobs aside - when international nurses are again in a position of looking for employment in USA, they are basically faced with 'rules' that prevent them from coming. They can't get a nursing licence unless they have a SSN. You can't get a SSN unless you are a resident. And you can't apply to be a resident unless you have a job. And you can't get a job unless you have a licence. Which you can't get without a SSN.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · May 1, 2010

Good. Should have been this way all along.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · May 1, 2010

I may be in the minority here, but surely this is going to create problems for international nurses? Retrogression and the issue of no jobs aside - when international nurses are again in a position of looking for employment in USA, they are basically faced with 'rules' that prevent them from coming. They can't get a nursing licence unless they have a SSN. You can't get a SSN unless you are a resident. And you can't apply to be a resident unless you have a job. And you can't get a job unless you have a licence. Which you can't get without a SSN.

California's budget woes and retrogresion aside, I agree that this is going to be the perception from those coming from the outside of the US. Years back when I first came to the US in the 90's, we never took the NCLEX in our home countries. We applied for the visa through an employer sponsor, arrived in the US, got an SSN, worked under a temporary license while studying for the NCLEX and then took the exam later. But that was a time when new US grads who have not even sat for the boards are being offered jobs. Things are different now. The pool of qualified nurses within the US are large and IEN's would have to be licensed to compete in that pool so this then lessens their chances of getting in. It's a sign of the times and I'm not necesarily against these new developments.

nezzyRN · May 1, 2010

@Silverdragon102

how about if i have passed the exam already last year, can i still use my ITIN to register my permanent license?