Easiest states for foreign graduates

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Hi, I graduated from nursing school in the Philippines in 2006. After an alternate career here in the states I'm hoping to take the NCLEX and get my nursing license. It's a complex process and a little overwhelming. Is anyone aware of any posts out there that break down the steps or has done it and can walk me through it?

I was never licensed in the Philippines. I'm in California but would be happy to take my boards for any state that has reciprocity.

Thanks! -K

The process will vary depending on the state. I can only tell you that if you don't qualify in California, getting a license in another state will not help. You'll still be rejected in California.

Thanks so much for your comment. Although each state has different specific requirements for NCLEX eligibility, once I’m licensed in a state that has reciprocity with California the CA BRN will be satisfied, correct?

13 minutes ago, KingK said:

once I’m licensed in a state that has reciprocity with California the CA BRN will be satisfied, correct?

Not necessarily. The CA BON will only be satisfied when you have met all of *their* licensing requirements.

Thank you so much for your input!

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

I think it may be challenging to obtain license - in my state at least if you've never been licensed in the U.S. and are more than 5 years post-graduation you need to show proof of meeting minimum practice hours abroad in order to be eligible for license, and it doesn't seem like you have any RN work experience at all in the last 5 years.

California however may differ - I'd start by looking over their applicant information to see what steps you'll need to go through to meet eligibility for license application. https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
1 hour ago, KingK said:

Thanks so much for your comment. Although each state has different specific requirements for NCLEX eligibility, once I’m licensed in a state that has reciprocity with California the CA BRN will be satisfied, correct?

CA will still do their own assessment and the issues will remain. Suggest checking the several threads in this forum (Nurse Registration) discussing this subject

7 minutes ago, Silverdragon102 said:

CA will still do their own assessment and the issues will remain. Suggest checking the several threads in this forum (Nurse Registration) discussing this subject

Can’t thank you enough for your assistance. You don’t happen to have a link to the nurse registration forum do you? I can’t seem to find it under the different topics

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It is under the World heading

4 hours ago, KingK said:

Thanks so much for your comment. Although each state has different specific requirements for NCLEX eligibility, once I’m licensed in a state that has reciprocity with California the CA BRN will be satisfied, correct?

No. There is no state license that will qualify you for a license in California. I was born and raised in the USA, went to school in Texas, and had a Texas RN license for several years before moving to California.
California still required all of my school transcripts to make sure that I met the requirements for their state. The fact that I already had a Texas license did not matter.
I suspect that you're asking because you have some educational deficiencies? That seems to be a common problem in California with foreign graduates. And many of them have the same idea that you do, but it doesn't work. Only seek licensure in another state if you want to work in that state. It's a waste of time, otherwise.

Hi KingK! I too is a graduate from Philippines in 2006. Came here in Florida as an RN in 2015, I applied for California RN license on 2016 and got it after 7mos. Just submit all the requirements and follow through the deficiencies if any. I've been fortunate I guess because they did not request additional schooling for my RN degree. The school I went to from the Philippines had suffice the california BON requirements.

On 2/23/2019 at 8:45 PM, fhyre19 said:

Hi KingK! I too is a graduate from Philippines in 2006. Came here in Florida as an RN in 2015, I applied for California RN license on 2016 and got it after 7mos. Just submit all the requirements and follow through the deficiencies if any. I've been fortunate I guess because they did not request additional schooling for my RN degree. The school I went to from the Philippines had suffice the california BON requirements.

Hi! I am just wondering when you applied for RN license endorsement if you submitted the TOR to BON from CGFNS or from your school? Thanks a lot!

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