Dutch RN to California

[nickyjoy]

HI, I'm a Dutch/American RN, educated in the Netherlands. I have decided to move to California next year and I'm looking into getting my nursing license trasferred. I was wondering if any of you have any experience with this, and if you can tell me if the dutch or european education (HBO-nursing) is equal to the US education. Because this will let me take the NCLEX. I cannot find any information about Dutch Nurses going to the U.S./CA and talk about their experience with the whole process. Any stories, experiences, tips etc are very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[SpidersWeb, BSN]

Hi nickyjoy,

I'm a Finnish RN with a Finnish BSN and my degree is more than equivalent to a US degree. I think HBO refers to a university of applied sciences (UAS), and this is the same in Finland with regards to nursing degrees.

To get a license in the US, you need a general degree including all specialties and enough hours in each specialty. I was told the minimum requirement is 40 h of theory and 80 h of clinical internship but as you know the EU standards exceed these. The application package for California board of nursing includes a page for Breakdown of Educational Program for International Nursing Programs, and this is where your school should write down your completed hours.

The board will also need your degree diploma and transcripts as well as verification of your international nursing license.

Let me know if you have any more questions!