Canada --> California

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I'm currently going into my final year of nursing school (BSN) in Toronto, Canada and I am planning on moving to California (where my fiance lives) upon completion of studies and writing the NCLEX. My biggest problem with registering with the California BON is the clinical hours that are required. It is stated on their website that "MedicalSurgical, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics and Psychiatric-Mental Health must be completed concurrently, i.e., both classroom and clinical experience must occur during the same instructional period."

In my nursing program, we don't complete obstetrics, pediatrics and psychiatric-mental health placements. Placements are randomly selected based on location and are mostly medical surgical placements. I'm not sure if I'll be able to register and get my license in California, and I'm really worried that I'll have to go back to school.

I was wondering if any other Canadian nurses from Toronto have tried to get their license in California? Did you meet the requirements? If not, any advice on what my next steps should be? Is there any way I could find out whether my educational program is accepted with the California BON before applying. I really don't want to move to California and not be able to work as an RN.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It isn't just California that requires these modules and without clinical and theory hours in the areas you will not meet requirements and be able to work as a nurse

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Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm aware Michigan exempts Canadian registered nurses from completing the requirements for a certificate from the CGFNS. I was wondering if this might be the same for Canadian nurses trying to practice in California as well. I heard that some Canadian nurses trying to practice in California were able to get their licence despite lacking these preequitsites.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I can't see that happening as others if they hear about it can complain. California do their own assessment and can be hard for people out of state register with them so usually harder for International nurses

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