Wishing to work in California, from another state

[suzanne4]

since there have been so many threads started on this, thought that a sticky would answer most questions about this.

1. you must endorse to california, you do not transfer a license. you will continue to maintain an active license in the original state until it expires if you do not renew it.

2. you need to follow the license by endorsement application, you can find it on ca brn website.

3. california requires a completed set of transcripts from your nursing school before they will issue you a permanent license.

4. they need verification from your state licensing authority. if ca has received that or the state is part of nursys, then you can actually go to the brn in sacramento and get a temporary license issued that same day.

5. otherwise, expect it to take about one month for you to receive the license once they have received all documents.

[aprillynnHI]

I understand about the job crunch at present. I really dont have a choice of where I live since my husband is in the Navy. Hopefully my BSN and work study experience will help get my foot in the door.

[suzanne4, RN]

I understand about the job crunch at present. I really dont have a choice of where I live since my husband is in the Navy. Hopefully my BSN and work study experience will help get my foot in the door.

Sorry, but that is not going to help in many areas here right now. If any of the experience was gained before you had your license, then it is not counted as experience. Just want you to be very aware of what you are going to be up against.

Even the military bases have gotten much tighter with their requirements as well. They are requiring at least two years of current work experience out of the last three years, and will not accept anything less.

Please be aware of this and go in with very open eyes, as well as new grad programs will not be starting until the summer at the earliest now. I want everyone to be very aware of what is happening here and not come expecting it to be all roses and everything else. San Diego area also has hospitals with hiring freezes in place. Best suggestion for you is to check out websites specific for facilities that you are interested in and then check out to see what they want in the area of experience for what is posted to give you some idea.

Best of luck to you.

[Little_Mouse]

Hi everyone,

I am a California resident, but I will be graduating in May '09 from another state. I would like to know anyone's advice on whether I should take the NCLEX in California or the state I am currently in (Illinois), then endorse my IL liscence to CA.

Which is more practical?

[onecup=us]

Hello, does anyone know anything about a temporary license in s.c... and what does this statement mean!!!!!!!!!

Effective immediately, demonstration of continued competency will be required before a temporary license can be issued. who is hiring with a temporary license. is there a test when you want to get a temporary license. why do they have 2 fees one for $124 and $115 dollars. thank you I'm new to s.c.

[SPower82]

Greetings Suzanne, Ive been reading some of your blog entries for the past couple of years now.

thanks for all the advise.

Im currently in the last year at an LPN program in Chicago with an aspiration to move to the bay area following graduation.

1. Here in Chicago, most LPNs go for jobs in nursing homes, LTC, clinics, community health, hospice and Home health. Is it the same in the bay area??

2. As I may be returning to Chicago, would it be a prudent decision to sit for my NCLEX in California (same question was proposed by someone else above)?

Also, I understand new grad RNs in the bay area are really experiencing a hard time finding jobs. My eventual goal is to work in a nursing home or LTC facility for a period of time then do home health.

3. Would I have a very hard time finding a job?

Thanks

[SPower82]

Greetings Suzanne,

Ive been reading some of your blog entries for the past couple of years now.

Thanks for all the advise.

Im currently in the last year at an LPN program in Chicago with an aspiration to move to the bay area following graduation.

I understand from reading your posts that new grad RNs in the bay area are really experiencing a hard time finding jobs. My eventual goal is to work in a nursing home or LTC facility for a period of time then do home health.

Would I have a very hard time finding a job?

I am a California resident, but I will be graduating in May '09 from another state. I would like to know anyone's advice on whether I should take the NCLEX in California or the state I am currently in (Illinois), then endorse my IL liscence to CA.

Which is more practical?

Thanks again

Shawn

[odria]

I will be graduating from a nursing program in Washington State and I will be moving to California right afterwards. Is it possible to apply directly for the CA license or must I get a WA license and then endorse. Which would be the quickest route to CA licensure?

[MegoEgo]

I have a question. I am sorry if it seems really stupid. So after you do the application and everything to endorse in CA, do you have to take the exam again in CA, even though you passed the NCLEX in the original licensing state?

[TuTonka]

What does endorse mean? I know it means sign, but that doesn't fit in this context.

Endorsement means that you are able to become licensed in the state your are appling to and not have to take the NCLEX again providing you have an unrestricted active license.

TuTonka

[silicaRN]

since i am a foreign graduate i had to wait for almost a year till my eligibility came in.

it's a long process because i had to wait that long.

[mmgm76]

Guys, not trying to be a negative here, but the Southern Cal Nursing situation is a joke. There are a number of nursing roles posted, but very few, if any, are even hiring full time positions. Thanks to the tanking economy, so much for the big crush of replacement nurses needed for the retiring baby boomers. I have a number of friends/peers that have recently graduated from school, and have literally had zero interviews leading up to completion. Having graduated just four years ago, we were hired before the ink was dry on our diplomas. As a sample, one friend graduated with her BSN from Biola University, is a committed, intelligent and mature individual, and literally is having to consider relocating out of the area to find prospects. Don't know if this is occurring in other areas, but this region of California is no doubt saturating now that demand has hit the skids. And to think the largest crop of new grads will be cranked out this spring!

[selby08]

Just to throw in my two cents about the quest for CA licensure. I graduated in a different state and had a job set to start in CA less than 3 months after graduation (2 months after NCLEX). I sought licensure in my "home" state (the state where I went to school) and then endorsed to CA. I passed my NCLEX in the beginning of June and had my permanent CA license (not just my temporary) before July was over.

I was very particular about having all paperwork filled out exactly, I got my transcripts sent quickly, and had my fingerprints done on cards, NOT the livescan method. I also called the BRN BEFORE sending everything in just to make sure I had everything exactly as they needed it.

I know firsthand that the CA BRN website can be a pain to navigate and calling them can be even more of a pain (and sometimes if you call them you will hear multiple, different answers). But stick with it. Make sure everything is in order and you'll get it done.

Oh and just a tip- if you call the BRN early in the day, right after they open, it's MUCH easier to speak with someone in person. Wait until midmorning or later and you'll never get through.

Good luck guys!