Current student, looking to transfer license after graduation

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Hi all,

I am seeking advice regarding what to do with myself after I graduate. I still have one year before graduation, but I am trying to be completely informed on everything prior to graduation. I will be getting my BSN in Illinois, but due to family circumstances, I will be trying to move out to California after graduation. I read multiple posts on here, stating that the chance of getting hired as an out-of-state new grad in California are slim. I still do want to give it a shot, but I am not sure how the application process works. Is it worth the risk of licensing by examination in California (instead of Illinois), or is it better to get my license in Illinois and then transfer? I have a million questions, but will leave it at that for now.

Any and all answers would be helpful.

Thank you!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

You probably won't get much of a look in a state where you are not licensed. You should probably wait until you find out where you will be. California takes a notoriously long time to endorse licenses, by the way. Illinois was pretty quick, just a couple of weeks.

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You can't actually transfer your license. You can apply by endorsement, but that doesn't speed things up. They'll still require all the same information and you'll still wait ...and wait ...and wait. It takes about three months after everything has been completed. "California" is a big place and jobs may be more or less difficult to rget depending on location. I got two years of experience before moving here from my home state.

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Right, by transfer I meant apply by endorsement, my apologies for misspeaking. I would be looking for a job in the southern California area, like Riverside, etc. Thank you for your feedback, in your opinion, is 3 months too long to wait after graduation to start working?

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Yeah, I wasn't sure if it would be possible to start the job searching process prior to getting endorsed, if they knew the endorsement was in the process. Thanks for your feedback!

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Specializes in Pedi.
Right, by transfer I meant apply by endorsement, my apologies for misspeaking. I would be looking for a job in the southern California area, like Riverside, etc. Thank you for your feedback, in your opinion, is 3 months too long to wait after graduation to start working?

It's not too long to wait if you can afford it. I did it, I knew that was my last chance to have a summer. However, I had my job offer long before I graduated. I chose the September start date.

In your situation, I'd test for licensure in California. If, for some reason, it doesn't work out and you decide to stay in Illinois, endorsing there is much faster per the previous posters.

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Thank you very much! So in your situation, you were able to receive job offers prior to actually having your license in that state?

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Is it possible to take the NCLEX in California? That might speed things up a bit if you can manage it.

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Hello,

I was in the same situation as you. Nursing school in one state but moved to another state after the exam.

When it is time for you to apply to take the NCLEX, you can select on the application that you'd like to receive your license from the state of California. You can take the NCLEX in Illinois; you're not required to take it in California. Also, you won't need to apply for endorsement from IL to CA if done this way. A lot of cost savings if done this way, as well, so it's what I'd recommend.

Hope this is helpful.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Thank you very much! So in your situation, you were able to receive job offers prior to actually having your license in that state?

Yes, that's how new grad programs operate in my state. Offers are made contingent on passing NCLEX by your start date. Literally everyone I graduated with had a job offer in hand before graduation. I had my offer in March of my senior year of college, graduated in May, took NCLEX in June and then started work in September (by choice).

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Thank you so much! I suppose I didn't really think about just taking the NCLEX for California specifically until you guys brought it up.

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Yes, that's how new grad programs operate in my state. Offers are made contingent on passing NCLEX by your start date. Literally everyone I graduated with had a job offer in hand before graduation. I had my offer in March of my senior year of college, graduated in May, took NCLEX in June and then started work in September (by choice).

Thanks so much for your feedback! That makes me feel a lot better. Some posts say that people have a hard time getting jobs as new grads in Cali, but you've gotta start somewhere, so I'm sure there are some options out there.

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