CA BRN new changes affecting International Nurses with NO SSN

caliotter3 · May 1, 2010

Good. Should have been this way all along.

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.

Makes sense to me ...

My thoughts exactly. Now maybe the overworked state workers can find some time to deal with the applications of CA residents.

Silverdragon102, BSN · 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?

You need to discuss this with the BRN, they may say no they will not accept ITIN

Hoss · May 1, 2010

This is indeed a BIG problem...

My step son received his Visa as IR-2 (immediate relative-child) non immigrant "green card" candidate and must leave the Philippines by Sept and enter the USA. In applying for his ATT from the Oregon BON, they require an explaination in detail if no SSN is provided. Social Security in the Philippines US Embassy refuses to give SSN numbers UNTIL YOU PHYSICALLY ENTER THE USA. We will send copies of his visa to the Oregon BON and explain his joining the US Navy and his intention to take the NCLEX within the next 90 days. Fortunately, he is joining the US Navy and upon arrival in Guam he will be escorted to Soc. Security and obtain his Soc. Security Number immediately.

The problem now is, there is no way to get ATT for NCLEX from California while outside of the USA. At least Oregon will accept a reasonable explaination as to why you don't have your SS number. You must physically enter the US (legally of course) before you will be issued your SSN.

Its a terrible "catch 22" not to be able to even get an ITIN or SSN prior to travel to the USA. This will close the door completely on many hopeful nurses wishing to immigrate.

Hoss

caliotter3 · May 2, 2010

I read about this elsewhere where it was stated that this was always the policy, but CA was just letting people in this situation go through. Now they are enforcing the policy that was always there. I would have thought that there could have been a heads up so that those already in the process knew where they stood.

elkpark · May 2, 2010

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.

Yes, I remember those days ... My sister is a travel agent who worked in Houston, TX at the time, and her agency handled the travel arrangements for several of the large medical centers in Houston and nearby areas. According to her, these hospitals would fly in entire planeloads of nurses from the Philippines, put them up in cheap housing and use them in the hospitals on the temporary permits until they took the NCLEX in the TX. When most or all of them flunked the NCLEX and could no longer work, the hospital would load them back on a plane, fly them back to the Philippines, and load up a new planeload of nurses for the return trip -- who would work in the hospitals on temporary permits until they flunked the NCLEX, and then be sent back to the Philippines. My sister was the person making the flight and housing arrangements, so she had firsthand knowledge of this process. She said it was a continuous cycle and, basically, a scam -- the hospitals knew the PI nurses were unlikely to pass the NCLEX, and were "gaming the system" to have cheap staff.

I'm extremely glad that we've put a stop to that kind of thing -- it's exploitive to both PI and US nurses.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · May 2, 2010

Yes, I remember those days ... My sister is a travel agent who worked in Houston, TX at the time, and her agency handled the travel arrangements for several of the large medical centers in Houston and nearby areas. According to her, these hospitals would fly in entire planeloads of nurses from the Philippines, put them up in cheap housing and use them in the hospitals on the temporary permits until they took the NCLEX in the TX. When most or all of them flunked the NCLEX and could no longer work, the hospital would load them back on a plane, fly them back to the Philippines, and load up a new planeload of nurses for the return trip -- who would work in the hospitals on temporary permits until they flunked the NCLEX, and then be sent back to the Philippines. My sister was the person making the flight and housing arrangements, so she had firsthand knowledge of this process. She said it was a continuous cycle and, basically, a scam -- the hospitals knew the PI nurses were unlikely to pass the NCLEX, and were "gaming the system" to have cheap staff.
I'm extremely glad that we've put a stop to that kind of thing -- it's exploitive to both PI and US nurses.

Not to be off topic but that system did leave a lot of room for exploitative maneuvers from the capitalistic nature of hospital operations. However, the nurses from the Philippines knew what they were in for. Many felt that it was gamble worth getting into. I personally had no doubts about my abilities and was confident I would make it. I passed the exam the first time I took it. At the time, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam was still required in all states and this actually was the IEN's ticket to a job in the US during those days. This exam was touted as a predictor of the IEN's success in passing the NCLEX-RN in addition to testing their English language skills. We now know that this exam did not live up to its claim and is now scrapped in most states except for a very few. In my experience, the ones that didn't pass the NCLEX did not necessarily return back to the Philippines. Left to their own devices, many sought help from relatives, went on to take the exam again and looked for another sponsor once they passed. Some took the LPN exam, passed it, and worked as LPN's.

allnurses Guide · May 2, 2010

This is indeed a BIG problem...
My step son received his Visa as IR-2 (immediate relative-child) non immigrant "green card" candidate and must leave the Philippines by Sept and enter the USA. In applying for his ATT from the Oregon BON, they require an explaination in detail if no SSN is provided. Social Security in the Philippines US Embassy refuses to give SSN numbers UNTIL YOU PHYSICALLY ENTER THE USA. We will send copies of his visa to the Oregon BON and explain his joining the US Navy and his intention to take the NCLEX within the next 90 days. Fortunately, he is joining the US Navy and upon arrival in Guam he will be escorted to Soc. Security and obtain his Soc. Security Number immediately.
The problem now is, there is no way to get ATT for NCLEX from California while outside of the USA. At least Oregon will accept a reasonable explaination as to why you don't have your SS number. You must physically enter the US (legally of course) before you will be issued your SSN.
Its a terrible "catch 22" not to be able to even get an ITIN or SSN prior to travel to the USA. This will close the door completely on many hopeful nurses wishing to immigrate.
Hoss

I don't understand your/his problem at all in this scenario - he's getting a green card and will be a US PR on entry. So ... he can then go to the SSA office and get his SSN. What is the urgency to get it before entry?

chokiez00 · May 2, 2010

i want to ask for any views regarding this new policy since i didnt get any response from Hushdawg about where did he get the "effective april 26,2010" since i cant find that on the specific memo posted on CaBON regarding new policy on SSN.

This is the link where Hushdawg posted this message as a threadstarter:

https://allnurses.com/philippine-nursing-forum/attention-ca-bon-476672.html

CABON Now Requires SSN to apply for NCLEX.
Effective on April 26, 2010 California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) will no longer accept applications that do not contain a U.S. Social Security Number. The Nursing Practice Act provides for a unified examination and licensing application. Once an applicant passes the examination, a license is automatically issued. Under these circumstances the BRN cannot accept applications for the examination and licensure without a U.S. social security number.
For those applicants who have failed the exam and want to re-apply; CABON will not accept re-application without U.S Social Security Number.
If your application was sent prior to April 26, 2010 or if you are already eligible, THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO YOU.

nezzyRN · May 2, 2010

i want to ask for any views regarding this new policy since i didnt get any response from Hushdawg about where did he get the "effective april 26,2010" since i cant find that on the specific memo posted on CaBON regarding new policy on SSN.
This is the link where Hushdawg posted this message as a threadstarter:
https://allnurses.com/philippine-nursing-forum/attention-ca-bon-476672.html

i was also searching for a site that would answer such concern but i can't find any that support such statement.

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 2, 2010

I think if you have any questions regarding CA's decision you should ask them yourself and get it in writing. That may be what hushdawg did and where his comment on time has come from.

meowmeow80 · May 12, 2010

If the latest news is confirmed, where do hopefuls like me stand in all these? I passed the NCLEX in '08 got the notice from the DCA two months after. i tried contacting them to get clear instructions on how to secure an SSN since I'm all on my own on this and did not enlist the help of any recruitment agency so far. If you could be so kind to tell me at least where to start, it will mean so much to me. I started feeling hopeless after reading a few posts, but I wont give up just yet. i would not have gone through all the pains of taking the NCLEX for nothing. I am not so worried about the current retrogression because I'm still positive it will be lifted in time. Its just that I want to keep my file active while I wait.

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 12, 2010

If the latest news is confirmed, where do hopefuls like me stand in all these? I passed the NCLEX in '08 got the notice from the DCA two months after. i tried contacting them to get clear instructions on how to secure an SSN since I'm all on my own on this and did not enlist the help of any recruitment agency so far. If you could be so kind to tell me at least where to start, it will mean so much to me. I started feeling hopeless after reading a few posts, but I wont give up just yet. i would not have gone through all the pains of taking the NCLEX for nothing. I am not so worried about the current retrogression because I'm still positive it will be lifted in time. Its just that I want to keep my file active while I wait.

I would suggest you apply to another state and make safe your NCLEX results. You can not secure a SSN until you are in the US with a valid work or immigrant visa