California NCLEX Req/Preparation....Please help

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Hello to everyone on this Nursing forum. It's nice to know there is a place where people like myself & my fiancee can go to for advice/help. I just signed up to this forum today in hopes that some of you helpful people can guide my fiancee (Filipina) in the right direction. Before I start, please excuse my "lingo" or dialogue if what I write sounds funny or incorrect as I am just trying to help my fiancee by posting on her behalf.

Here's a little background on her education. She is a recent Nursing graduate (April 2010) from National University in the Philippines. She also is a recent passer of the Nurse Licensure Exam this past July 3rd/4th 2010. We are currently in the process for our K1 Petition (Fiancee Visa) and just waiting for our approval by U.S Immigration (hopefully soon). Gods willing, she will be here in early January 2011.

This is where we need your help. When she arrives here (California, USA), she would like to take the NCLEX Exam (in California). What are some requirements/documents/steps that she must/can do NOW in the Philippines to achieve this? Will she need to go to her school and get transcripts? Fill out some forms to send to U.S? Also, when she applies, will she register under her current last name then when we marry will she have to change it? I apologize if my questioning is incorrect or not understandable as I'm not sure what to ask. I just would like to know what steps/documents she would need to do or bring to the U.S to prepare for taking the NCLEX in California.

I'm sure there are plenty of posts & answers about this same issue but I just wanted it to be easier to find and also pass this message post to my fiancee. Thank you in advance for your help and answers. We look forward to hearing some of your responses. If there's any other info you need, I'll try my best to get some answers.

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18 views but no help! Thanks everyone!! Really appreciate the feedback

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If you take the time to read the International forum (where I have now moved this thread) you will find much to do re California.

Currently CA will not accept any applications without a SSN and that she will not get until in the US. She has too options, wait until she arrives in the US, has SSN and then starts her application with CA or alternatively start the application with another state, pass NCLEX and then apply to CA once in the US with a SSN. CA do their own eval so will at some stage require her transcripts which generally have to come direct from her nursing school.

Is she applies to the CA BRN once in the US I would say better to apply in her maiden name and then change to married name once everything is sorted

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Silverdragon, thank you for your response. I really appreciate it. I've been searching throughout all the posts in this forum but gave up after spending alot of time. I just wanted to try to get a quick answer. My apologies.

One other question if you can help. Is there something she can get from her school there and bring here during our petition process? Will there be any problems for her when she is here and try to contact her school to forward her transcripts or information needed to CA? I hope I make sense. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Anything from school of nursing has to come direct from them however she should be able to pick up her transcripts and other documents in a sealed envelope with their stamp on. Her school is probably used to arranging documentation for the US so probably have no problems and she can always contact them before she leave to warn them

If you do a search for California you should find much and the link to the CA BRN can be found at the bottom of the page and once there just look up International nurse requirements

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Silver, thanks again for the much appreciated info. I've been doing alot of searches as you suggested but am unable to find some that have had the same situation as my fiancee. Your information about getting her transcripts from her school is very valuable but reading other posts, it's said that her school MUST be the one to send the info to CA. Can she bring her transcripts (sealed) to U.S then when she gets here and has an SSN, can we mail the information to CA BRN from the U.S? Or will this be a problem? I will inform her to speak to the school about what you suggested. Is there anything else important I should tell her to ask? I thank you very much for your help! God bless!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Silver, thanks again for the much appreciated info. I've been doing alot of searches as you suggested but am unable to find some that have had the same situation as my fiancee. Your information about getting her transcripts from her school is very valuable but reading other posts, it's said that her school MUST be the one to send the info to CA. Can she bring her transcripts (sealed) to U.S then when she gets here and has an SSN, can we mail the information to CA BRN from the U.S? Or will this be a problem? I will inform her to speak to the school about what you suggested. Is there anything else important I should tell her to ask? I thank you very much for your help! God bless!

Check this thread out ATTENTION: CA BON Now Requires SSN to apply for NCLEX. - Nursing for Nurses

Check with the BRN if the school can't help but many have sent their own transcripts as long as the school sealed it and stamped it.

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Thank you again Silver. You've been a great help. I will pass the information along to my fiancee.:up::)

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Hi! I see that your questions had been answered already. But just a few tips, also tell her to have all her transcripts and RLE papers ready since I read on the other forums that caBON are asking for it too. She can request for it on her school. Im on the same situation as your fiancee except that I already have the green card and SSN. Just have to take the NCLEX at CA next year too.

After passing all the requirements. It will take 3-4 months for her to receive the eligibility letter.

Im not really sure if you can understand tagalog cause in this forum there are lots of Filipinos who post using their own dialect, but you can send this link to your fiancee. She'll find this really helpful.

NCLEX Forum | Nursing Forums and Discussions - Nursing Link

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Hello SILVER! I hope you are still visiting this site 'coz we are also in the same situation before.. First thing is that CALI BOARDS really need a Social Security Card. So once your fiance is with you, go get her one, with her "MAIDEN" surname -- before getting married and make sure you have a copy before you returned to the SS for another request of changing it to your SURNAME-- I had a problem because I didn't have a copy and until now (i applied for a change of surname NOV.2009) I don't have my CARD (I'm from Arkansas). I am back for a vacation here in the Philippines.

My school is already used to NCLEX CALI requirements, so before they sealed the envelope, they showed me everything in there..

--it includes alot! (not just the PAPERS your fiance will give to her school). It has RLE, OJT, Certification of the school etc.-- SO make sure that her school will include everything already.

**ALSO, WHAT WILL BE THE SURNAME SHE IS GOING TO USE ON HER APPLICATION? ** is it the maiden or your married surname if ever 'coz it needs to be uniformed** I process it after I get married so when i fill-out forms, its UNIFORM**

THEN my school told me that they will be the one to send the sealed envelope but I told them, I will just insert it with my application form which is NOT ALLOWED!

The registrar told me that I should MAIL it, within the vicinity of the school. Like My school is in MANILA, so It should look like, THE SCHOOL is the one who sent it. SO i just MAILED it on my own but also in MANILA. Then another MAIL with my APPLICATION. (i will bullet type it later)

I passed my application 2nd week of August 2010, then I received a letter 2 weeks after 'coz they need a copy of my SS Card..and I still don't have it (annoying), so send them a letter explaining why I don't have it w/ me via ordinary mail.

And now, October 15, 2010, I received my ELIGIBILITY, I registered with PEARSON and after 2- 3 minutes, I received my ATT.

That's how quick CALI BOARDS process now. Less than 2 months (if i only send them a copy of my SSC in the first place--might take less)

Here's a bullet type requirement they send me:

1. Application (enclosed- complete all highlighted areas and return to Board)

2.Copy of your Social Security Card

3.Copy of your nursing diploma from the country where you completed your initial nursing education with English Translation.

4.Transcript (both theory and clinical hours) sent directly to the Board from your school of general nursing. THE BOARD DOES NOT ACCEPT TRANSCRIPTS SUBMITTED BY APPLICANTS.

5. Clinical portion of transcripts or Related Learning Experience

6. Educational Breakdown form (to be completed by school)

7. Transcripts does not reflect completion of the following courses.

8.Fingerprint Card (Enclosed -DO NOT FOLD OR BEND- Complete Return to BOARD)

9. FIngerprint processing fee of $51.00

10. Photograph 2x2

11. School Curriculum

*there are still some items that does not apply*

*this is their checklist--I received this, because they were asking for my Social Security Card**

**I also use my husband's US personal check -- then just enclosed it together with my application--(not bank draft/money order)

I hope this helps.

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