Can anyone explain the procedure for..

Congratulations! You can take the NCLEX in your home state for a California license, since it's a national exam. All the info you need will be on the website http://www.rn.ca.gov, including forms to fill out.

...getting my initial nursing license in California? I graduated in May and was just offered a new grad position in San Francisco, but am unaware of what my next step should be. I have to be back home the middle of July to start the end of July for orientation. Any advice on what to do would be very helpful to me. I plan on studying for the NCLEX and then taking it in SF since I will be working there instead of NY. Thank you.

California also allows new nurses to get interim permits to start work before they have their actual license (you get your license once you pass the NCLEX). However, you do need to get your fingerprints, fees, photo (2x2) and paperwork into the CA Board of Nursing (CABON). See:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/online/online.htm

The fingerprints can be done the fastest if you are already in California (it is transmitted electronically). But if you are out of state, you have do a hardcopy which can take 1 to 2 months to process. Therefore, it is to your advantage to go to California, get your fingerprints taken (you can do this before you graduate) so they are in the system at the CA BON. The centers for fingerprinting can be found from the link above.

Here is info on the forms needed:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/pdf/exam_app_2004.pdf

Note since the NCLEX is a national exam, you can take it on the East Coast (it's by computer in a proctored location) for California. You do not have to be in California to take it. However, being a new grad, you have to have all your forms, fees, and graduation transcripts into the CA BON, pay Pearson Vue (the testing place). Then you will receive a ATI (Application to Test), which will allow you to enroll to take the NCLEX.

Testing info from Pearson Vue:

http://www.vue.com/nclex/

Good luck!

Thank you BOTH very much!! I need to get on things then. I am hoping to be in Ca the first week in July in order to get my fingerprints. I hope this works for me.

Thanks again:)