California registration from Philippines

[darren_callcareer18]

Hi fellow nurses! How's the day so far (if you're just about to start your shift)?

This is my case, I know there are various threads out there that I could get my answer, but I would like to have a concise or step by step answer (Nursing for dummies lol). I am a foreign graduate student from the Philippines, I earned my nursing experience there of 4 years in Pediatric intensive care unit. I started working in the hospital right after I graduated and passed the local boards in 2010. Last March 2014, I moved here to the United states to find a better opportunity.

However, I heard various stories about the ordeal that most of the foreign graduates are facing, and that is not able to take the NCLEX-RN california because of concurrency issue.

On the other hand, I heard hope that you could take alternatives till you have earned the units that the California board requires. I heard that you could challenge LVN instead of RN.

So here are my questions;

1. What does "Challenge" the LVN mean? (Dumbest, but I am vague to this)

2. What are the things that I should do to try the LVN board considering that my credentials are BSN.

3. Should I try first the NCLEX-RN application then if denied go for LVN?

4. If in case I was told to go back to university and complete the required units to take NCLEX-RN after they evaluated my credentials, should I request again for a new credentials from my school etc.?

5. Do I have to attached my working certificates along my application?

6. is there anyone here who has the the same situation as mine? If so, what is your story? What are the things you have taken?

Thank you guys in advance. Have a great shift ahead.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

1. What does "Challenge" the LVN mean? (Dumbest, but I am vague to this)

"Challenge" the LVN means applying to the CA Board of Vocational Nursing to receive eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-PN and obtaining an LVN license if you pass the test without having gone through a CA approved LVN program. Some states allow certain internationally educated nurses (even those who are RN's in their home countries) to apply for LVN or LPN licensure.

2. What are the things that I should do to try the LVN board considering that my credentials are BSN.

You download the forms and send them to the CABVN: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/method3.pdf. Your school must complete portions of the form.

3. Should I try first the NCLEX-RN application then if denied go for LVN?

Technically, you can apply to both at the same time. CA has separate boards for RN's and LVN's.

4. If in case I was told to go back to university and complete the required units to take NCLEX-RN after they evaluated my credentials, should I request again for a new credentials from my school etc.?

Depends on how long CA keeps your records active and whether that is enough time for you to complete the required courses. At some point CA destroys applicant records and deem them "abandoned", ask the boards the time frame for this.

5. Do I have to attached my working certificates along my application?

The LVN application does allow for you to submit a verification of nursing experience to be filled out by an employer. It is not necessary since your education at the BSN level already qualifies you to challenge the NCLEX-PN in CA.

6. is there anyone here who has the the same situation as mine? If so, what is your story? What are the things you have taken?

Plenty of threads already exist on this topic:

https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/denied-by-cabon-681582-page45.html

https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/getting-into-lvn-811001-page3.html

https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/rn-graduate-abroad-927895.html

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

California RN Licensure Qualifications for Graduates of International Nursing Program

http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/schools/edp-i-35.pdf

I suggest reading the information from both above links. If you have more questions contact the BRN. Email or mailed letter is more likely to get a response, but you can also try a phone call.

Licensing & Examination

For information regarding licensing requirements, examinations, application status, advanced practice certification, and other applicant inquiries.

Fax: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

Mailing address: P.O. Box 944210

Sacramento, CA 94244-2100

[darren_callcareer18]

Thanks Juan delacruz!! So concise

[steppybay]

I take it that you have some sort of legal working privileges to apply within the CA nursing applications, such as a valid working SSN or green card or PR status or an EAD approval or work visa?

You may submit a ITIN number instead of the SSN now as well (changed in April 2015).

The main issue will be the concurrency compliance, as even amongst the top 5 schools in the PH have not met this requirement.

But there have been a couple of posters who have mentioned that their friends did "meet" the concurrency but that was primarily because their schools "adjusted" (as in committing a major fraud) their transcripts and allowed to get the ATT in CA.

The risk is that if their documentation gets further review later on (years), they can have their license revoked or suspended and could result in a job loss and possible penalties.

[steppybay]

With regards to the using of the ITIN instead of the SSN, it still does NOT grant the right to work legally.

It does allow one to take the NCLEX-RN but having the license itself is like having a driver's license but you still cannot drive a car, truck or motorcycle.

One would still need to find the ways to get the right and proper paperwork so that you have the legal documentation (green card, PR, sponsorship, work visa to name a few) to apply for a job and work.