Getting into LVN-RN route after being denied by CA-BRN due to concurrency issues

[zhapper2002]

I am a BSN graduate from the Philippines (Batch 2011) and got denied by the California Board of Registered Nursing due to the concurrency issue regarding with my MS and OB Nursing clinicals and theory classes. They told me to enroll again in a California accredited nursing school to re-take my MS and OB courses but none of the schools here in Bay Area can offer that. They would always say "No we don't offer individual courses. You have to be in our nursing program, which means you have to start all over again"

So after that frustrating experience, I tried challenging the NCLEX-PN, which is the LVN exam. I luckily passed last year and now I am a Licensed Vocational Nurse, however, I am really looking forward to take the RN program. I inquired in some community colleges here in Hayward and told them that I already have a BSN degree and at the same time I am an LVN.

I explained to them that I can't take the RN exam because of the concurrency issue according to CA-BRN so I wanted to pursue an LVN-RN program. They told me 2 steps that I need to take.

Number 1 - that I need to work for at least 1000 hours as an LVN then I can apply for the Associate Degree in Nursing.

Number 2 - if I finished the pre-requisites for the RN classes, I can apply directly to their program regardless of my LVN license.

But the thing is, I am really confused on the steps that I need to take because I don't know if I can apply directly to the RN program by just using my BSN degree as the pre-requisites.

I know a lot of IENs, especially Filipinos wanted to get their RN licenses but since there's this concurrency issue, we have to start the program all over again.

Anybody who can explain about the pre-requisites and the like? Can we use our BSN degree in equivalence to the said pre-requisites? We have Microbiology and Parasitology, Anatomy and Physiology, English 1, 2 ,3, Sociology, Psychology and other required subjects as per stated in our PH Nursing curriculum. I know it's really tough to get into an RN program because of the tight competition but I am gambling for me to fulfill my dream to be a nurse here in California.

I don't wanna leave my parents here, so instead I am making my own way to get into the RN track. It's not in my plan to go to other states since my family is based here in Bay Area.

*And that is my story as a PH RN graduate who struggled to be a Registered Nurse here in California*

[delish2015, BSN]

Hi!When did you apply for the nclex-rn cabon?

[zhapper2002, BSN, RN]

That was 4 years ago. Mid 2011. When they sent me the rejection letter that I had to retake MedSurg and Maternity Nursing, I applied with the LVN board and got licensed a year after - that was in 2012.

[delish2015, BSN]

Hi bruh! Can you email me the step by step process you did if you dontmind? [email protected]

Thanks

[mhira1005]

hi can i also ask for help on how to apply for LVN? the same step by step..thanks!

Any news or update about your goals/career?I applied for Rn exam and until now haven't receive any reply. The last letter i received was the one asking for additional requirement such Cases, RLE and School Calendar. its almost a year now, tried calling them but no answer tried the email still no answer. Been thinking of taking LVN exam first while waiting. And im sure they will tell me the same story as yours. Any advice? Thanks by the way I'm also Phil. graduate. Thanks

[nsg1234]

Call the BRN to ff up on your application..coz it will expire within 3 yrs. Just have patience when calling them..thats just how it is.

For the LVN, its kinda the same process like RN..you need to fill up the application online..then send it to your school..then your school will directly send the reqts to BVNPT.. (Board of vocational nurse and psych technicians). Good luck!

[shesanurse]

hi can i also ask for help on how to apply for LVN? the same step by step..thanks!

Any news or update about your goals/career?I applied for Rn exam and until now haven't receive any reply. The last letter i received was the one asking for additional requirement such Cases, RLE and School Calendar. its almost a year now, tried calling them but no answer tried the email still no answer. Been thinking of taking LVN exam first while waiting. And im sure they will tell me the same story as yours. Any advice? Thanks by the way I'm also Phil. graduate. Thanks

Hi i also got that same response from the board now i am just waiting for my school to send the additional reqs. When did your school submit those addtl reqs? Thanks

[john_ortillo]

Hi zhapper2002 are you already a USRN now? :) what happened to your application after your denied application? Im from LA, and planning to take the cali rn nclex. But what im worried is that, i can feel that i will be denied in taking the nclex also because of the concurrency issue. But im planning to apply LVN and RN at the same time. Bec in case if my rn appli will be denied, i can go and take the lvn exam. That will save my time, but not my money.lol. Do you think that will be advisable?

[zhapper2002, BSN, RN]

Hi! john_ortillo, wow it's been a long time since I posted here. I just got accepted in a hospital and I thought of viewing the threads here where I started and I told myself to share what I've been through once I get my first RN staff nurse job here in CA. Yes, I am now a Registered Nurse here in California and been practicing for almost half a year. I have been an LVN for 4 years before I got this license update to RN. I am proud of what I have accomplished and after I got my RN license I was crying the whole time.

First off, it's a great idea to apply for licensure both BVNPT and CA BRN. Same review content, same pattern but for different licenses. I have a colleague who took both nclex RN and PN and both passed. So I must say it's worth it. Go for it.

With regards to school, I know lots of schools are now offering individual courses for internationally educated nurses especially there in Southern California and here in the Bay Area. I took my MedSurg for almost 3 months and my OB for 2 months and both I did clinicals in the hospital. I enjoyed going to school and I learned a lot especially the electronic documentation and the machines they use in the hospital which I can use as my advantage whenever I apply for a job.

All you need is patience. More patience and patience. I believe in "ora et labora" which means prayer and hardwork. I am pretty sure you will have your way to get your RN license. Never lose hope. Just continue what you are doing. Be an LVN then be an RN or which one goes first. You will learn a lot along the way. Until now I am still renewing my LVN license because I don't wanna lose the proof where I started.

To be honest sometimes, whenever somebody asks me to hang an IV, my initial reaction was like "Ok I am now really an RN" and then I smile. lol

Of you have any question you can message me here or feel free to send me an email at [email protected].

Have a great future ahead of you. I am here to help all the time.

- zhapper2002, RN, BSN

[ms.greyrn]

Hi there zhapper2002! I do admire what you have accomplished. I just wanted to ask a couple of questions. I wanted to apply for CA BRN licensure but it maybe a tough road ahead because of the concurrency issues so I'm considering to also apply for BVNPT licensure as well. How did you apply for BVNPT licensure, is it through equivalent education? Or experience or both? I do have an employment experience in the Philippines but I'm not sure if I could use the experience method because I've also worked previously in an arab country and my previous employer there definitely would refuse to fill up the employment verification form. I'm confused which method to use, if I do consider the experience method, the 2 year experience I had in that arab country will be useless because my employer there didn't even give me a COE, which could show as a work gap on my employment history. Hope you could help me.