CA license by exam-communication requirement

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello!

I am looking to get my California license by exam this August, but am worried about the communication requirements.

I went to undergrad in California at a UC, which do not require communication courses. I am now in an MSN program (with no specific communication courses) in New York but want to return to California when I am done.

Would an online communications course work for this requirement? Or my general freshmen year of college English classes? Or even courses like Care Coordination in my nursing program?

Does anyone have experience getting a license by exam in California without specific communications courses?

Thanks so much.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.

Are you licensed in NY? You don't need to take any exams to get a nursing license in a different state. Just apply by endorsement.

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No I am not licensed yet, I need to sit for my boards once I graduate in August.

Which is why I am worried about the communication requirement. : (

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Are you licensed in NY? You don't need to take any exams to get a nursing license in a different state. Just apply by endorsement.

But CA will still look at her education, and if she's missing a required communication class, they'll deny the endorsement. They don't care if NY decided to license her.

OP: I took my Public Speaking course online at my local CC--I had to film my speeches and put them up on a private YouTube channel. CA accepted it. You would probably be able to do the same.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.

I'm confused... how are you enrolled in an MSN program without having an RN license? You can always apply to take the NCLEX in California if that's where you want to work, but you probably need a NY one as well for your program, so it may be smarter to get a NY license by exam and CA by endorsement.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVICU.
But CA will still look at her education, and if she's missing a required communication class, they'll deny the endorsement. They don't care if NY decided to license her.

OP: I took my Public Speaking course online at my local CC--I had to film my speeches and put them up on a private YouTube channel. CA accepted it. You would probably be able to do the same.

I suppose. I've know many people who were licensed in NY go to CA with no issue. If she went to school in CA, I would imagine she met the requirement for the state because what university would give you a nursing degree without meeting the state requirements for licensure?

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CA is very fussy about some classes-I know of nurses that had to take a speech class before they were able to get their license. Another nurse did a accelerated program and didnt take microbiology and she could not get a license.

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I graduated from a UC in California with a non nursing degree, and UCs do not require communications courses (unlike the state schools).

I am now in an MSN program for non-nurses. So no, I am not already a nurse which is why I need to take it by exam.

Thanks for all of your advice! I am going to try to find an online oral communications summer course, since I guess even my endorsement California wants the requirement. Frustrating for nurses who've worked a long time/people like me who have a masters and have had other careers.

If anyone knows of an online oral communication/speech course let me know! I have been unable to find any community colleges that have summer courses, but University of Phoenix is a last resort.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I graduated from a UC in California with a non nursing degree, and UCs do not require communications courses (unlike the state schools).

And that would answer the $64,000 question :)

UoP is an expensive last resort...since you're a UC alum, any way you could take a communication class through there?

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I graduated from a UC in California with a non nursing degree, and UCs do not require communications courses (unlike the state schools).

I am now in an MSN program for non-nurses. So no, I am not already a nurse which is why I need to take it by exam.

Thanks for all of your advice! I am going to try to find an online oral communications summer course, since I guess even my endorsement California wants the requirement. Frustrating for nurses who've worked a long time/people like me who have a masters and have had other careers.

If anyone knows of an online oral communication/speech course let me know! I have been unable to find any community colleges that have summer courses, but University of Phoenix is a last resort.

Hey, I'm in the same boat! Did you end up having to take a communications class?

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