Do I have to attend a school loisted on the CA BRN website?

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Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide which online program to sign up with for my Rn to BSN.

like many of you. Actually, I am now driving myself crazy. I live in CA and I have been on the CA BRN website and they list only a few schools that they are accredited with ( I guess). U of P, Cal State Fullerton, etc..

My question is since I am going to be attending via online I think that I should have so many more options. Will the state of CA recognize my BSN if I get it through say U of WY, or TESC, like some many of you? Once I have my BSN I do plan of continuing on for my MSN/NP will my degree be recognized for entry into a CA NP program if I get it from a school that is not listed on their website?

Thanks for your help.

I love the idea of U of P for the convienence and reputation but I never liked group projects in school... so I may not like U of P and since it is so expensive I don't want to pay for it and then find out that I don't like it.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Thanks

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I would contact the board to find out for sure because, if it's not listed on the BRN website, you're taking a chance. Also: if they tell you a program would be accepted, but it's not on the list then, I'd get it in writing that they do take it ... just to be sure. You don't want anything screwing up your NP application down the road.

:typing

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Specializes in Oncology, OR.

I would definitely check with the board to make sure whatever program you take is accepted...California is extremely particular about which programs they will recognize, it would be a bummer for you to spend valuable time in a program that ultimately will not be accepted by CA BRN. Also, if you know what school you want to attend in the future for the NP program, you may want to check and see if they will accept your BSN degree as well, once you have it narrowed down where you want to get it from.

Good Luck!

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That's funny, I was just looking at the same site on the CA BRN. I also had the same thoughts cross my mind. I live in CA and work with a woman who got an online BSN degree (Jacksonville, I think) and then completed her Masters at Dominican which is in CA. If you are wanting to get a Masters, check with the schools you are interested in applying to. They would probably be the most accessible and helpful.

Let me know how you make out!

Robin

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If it is NLN accredited I believe that it will transfer to most schools. I am not 100% on this. I made sure that my online program is accredited by everyone just to be sure. Online degrees are not just fluff, they are work. If it seems too good to be true, it is.

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If it is NLN accredited I believe that it will transfer to most schools.

Uh ... not trying to get into a sore subject here but, Excelsior College is accredited by the NLN, and the California BORN doesn't accept it. NLN accreditation is no guarantee, which is why you really need to check with the board to make sure about any program that's not listed on their website.

:typing

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Well, considering there is no such thing as a "BRN approved/accepted/accredited" RN to BSN program, I don't think you have much to worry about. As someone above stated, the main thing to consider is the potential acceptance by future MSN/NP programs; as long as your RN to BSN program is NLN or CCNE accredited, it should be accepted by most MSN programs. Check with potential schools to see if they require NLN or CCNE. Also, if you want PHN licensure in California, your program has to be NLN approved or meet the BRN's requirements. Most NLN/CCNE RN to BSN programs have a community health practicum, which is what BRN is looking for. (I don't know what the "BORN" is; the California Board of Registered Nursing refers to itself as BRN.)

BRN's stated mission vis-a-vis nursing schools is stated on its website:

The BRN has the authority to approve registered nursing and advanced practice nursing programs in California. The purpose of approval is to ensure the program's compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Prelicensure nursing programs must be approved by the BRN. Approval of advanced practice nursing (i.e., nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery) programs is voluntary and at the request of the program.

As an RN to BSN program is neither prelicensure nor advanced practice, approval of such a program would fall outside of the purview of BRN. Also, the list of RN to BSN programs on BRN's website is woefully incomplete. Sonoma State and Chico State both have NLN accredited RN to BSN programs, yet neither is listed on BRN.

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Uh ... not trying to get into a sore subject here but, Excelsior College is accredited by the NLN, and the California BORN doesn't accept it. NLN accreditation is no guarantee, which is why you really need to check with the board to make sure about any program that's not listed on their website.

:typing

Thanks for clarification liz. I wasn't 100% sure on that one. I do think that if a program is CCNE then it is safe. I guess just check with the school you plan to attend AFTER the BSN (like that is so easy ha)

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As an RN to BSN program is neither prelicensure nor advanced practice, approval of such a program would fall outside of the purview of BRN.

I see your point here. I assumed they also regulated RN-BSN programs since it's listed on their website. It's just that, when you look at the NP requirements with the licensing application, it does seem to be really complicated.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/pdf/np-app.pdf

And, since we know that the board can be very picky with their requirements, what's the harm in checking with the board just to make sure? That's all I was suggesting.

:typing

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All of you are forgetting one very important fact here, this RN already has a license in California, and is just wanting to complete the BSN part of her degree.

At that point, it makes absolutely no difference as to where they attend.

The RN license is a done deal already.

It only makes a difference is you are trying to bridge from the LPN to the RN, or for the RN initial program. Not when just completing the BSN after already having the RN title after your name.

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I see your point here. I assumed they also regulated RN-BSN programs since it's listed on their website. It's just that, when you look at the NP requirements with the licensing application, it does seem to be really complicated.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/pdf/np-app.pdf

And, since we know that the board can be very picky with their requirements, what's the harm in checking with the board just to make sure? That's all I was suggesting.

:typing

What - if anything - does NP licensure have to do with RN to BSN education? NP programs are now all Master's level, and while individual programs have differing entry requirements (some require a NLN/CCNE approved BSN, others are happy with any bachelor's degree; more than a few programs don't even require a bachelor's) the BRN NP application doesn't address baccalaureate education at all.

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by golly deej, i think you're correct!

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