German education, CA license, living in VA

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I want to go back to school to get my BSN but I'm running into the problem that colleges/universities won't accept my German schooling. I went to nursing school in Germany, got a nursing diploma there and worked for about 2 years before we moved to the US. CA doesn't require me to go through a third party (like CGFNS) to evaluate my German schooling - the Board of Nursing does it themself. I passed the NCLEX and got my CA RN license. Worked for a couple months before we moved to VA. I can't just apply for licensure by endorsement to get my VA license, since VA requires me to have a language test and an evaluation (through CGFNS) of my schooling done before they consider me for licensure by endorsement.

Universities seem to do the same. I tried to apply to Grand Canyon University, but they also wanted an evaluation of my credentials. My nursing school is a pain in the .... and I probably won't get immediate help in filling out the required paperwork.

I can wait on my VA license, but I thought I can work on my BSN in the meantime.

Anyone knows of a RN to BSN program who either does the evaluation of a foreign nursing degrees themselves or do not care since I have a US license?

Thanks for your answers!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

All require a US RN license that is valid as that is the basis for any RN -BSN program. I've never heard of a school that does their own foreign credential evaluation most non-nursing and some nursing schools use WES (world education service) if not CGFNS most require an English language assessment (most often TOEFL) as adequate comprehension of the English language is critical to success in collegiate coursework especially in an independent environment such as online or distance learning.

If you want credit for you previous education credential and licensing you must submit the required documentation to your potential school. There s no way around it. I know some online/distance schools won't consider foreign credentials especially with out a current, active US nursing license.

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Thanks! I do have a current and active US license and I was working as an RN until we moved.

VA doesn't allow me to to get a license through endorsement without having an evaluation done - even though I have a CA license.

I understand to have an English proficiency exam done (TOEFL) though (even though I have college credits here).

But it makes sense when you say that they want a foreign education evaluated - German nursing schools are longer (than the time it would take to get an Associates Degree) and are not based on credit hours so it can be a little difficult to find out how many credits I would get.

Thanks again for your help

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You may also need a local license depending on the program, so that you can legally participate in clinical rotations. Check program requirements.

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Specializes in Educator.

I feel your pain! It is hard to get documents and such once you leave your homeland. I recently started the BSN program at Chamberlain. They took care of all my transcripts including obtaining an updated transcript evaluation, they also paid for them. I am assuming that you had one done at some point to get your current license? I received full credit for my licence even though my nursing transcript does not have credit hours (sound similar to yours). If they are a college you are interested in, I can recommend them for foreign trained nurses as they seem to understand our issues and work them out. Good luck :yes:

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Thanks for replying KCMnurse!

No, I didn't need to have an evaluation done, since the BON in CA does those themselves. I only had to send in a certified translation of my documents - they did their own evaluation.

You're right about the credit hours I have regular "hours" but no credit hours.

I will check out Chamberlain! Thanks for the tip! They are accredited, right? How much is an credit hour there?

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Specializes in Educator.
Thanks for replying KCMnurse!

No, I didn't need to have an evaluation done, since the BON in CA does those themselves. I only had to send in a certified translation of my documents - they did their own evaluation.

You're right about the credit hours I have regular "hours" but no credit hours.

I will check out Chamberlain! Thanks for the tip! They are accredited, right? How much is an credit hour there?

Chamberlain is accredited, check them out. About $540/credit. Military discount helps me out.

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Awesome! Hubby is military too, I'll go ahead and request some info from them :-)

How do you like it? Is it stressful? What kind of classes are you currently taking?

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Specializes in Educator.
Awesome! Hubby is military too, I'll go ahead and request some info from them :-)

How do you like it? Is it stressful? What kind of classes are you currently taking?

I just started in May , so far I am enjoying it

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]So - I wanted to check in with the German educated RN's that went back to school for then RN to BSN program . I am in GA - work as RN in AL . Trying to get my BSN but the Colleges I contacted so far are not excepting anything from nursing school in Germany and want me start over . What university or college did except prior credits and let you start with the program instead of starting all over - even though I already work as RN

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Did you have an evaluation through CGFNS done? Usually Universities will accept that. Which Colleges did you contact?

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Troy , Jacksonville in Al , csu in ga . Each requires me to go through a different evaluation agency . None so far exepted my cgfns .

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