How long to get approval to take NCLEX and graduate nurse positions in Bay Area?

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Hi Everyone,

I will be completing a BSN program on October 12 and will be sending in my paperwork immediatly to be able to take the NCLEX. How long does it take for you to hear back from the board on when you will be able to test?

I had read 4-6 weeks but am hoping someone who has applied recently may have a better estimation of the timeframe.

Also (not sure if this should be in a different thread), are there any hospitals in the Bay Area that will hire graduate nurses before they are approved for taking the boards? I am okay with doing an intern/extern type position but not sure if any hospitals offer any of those programs during the late fall.

Thanks in Advance for any replies!

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New grad programs only start two to three times per year in the Bay Area, they do not have start dates all year long.

You are not going to see openings until February for the new grad programs in most cases. And always better to have passed the NCLEX exam before even applying, they want to see that you have passed the exam before hiring. You will have more options that way.

Are you training in the Bay Area, or moving there from another area? You will have a better chance with a facility that you did your clinicals at, since they are familiar with you to begin with.

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And for those that are wondering:

If you have experience, then there are openings continuously all year, but the new grad programs only start a couple of times per year. And there are many more that wish to work in the Bay Area than there are positions most of the time.

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My home is in the Bay Area however I am attending an out of state BSN program.

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Specializes in SRNA.
My home is in the Bay Area however I am attending an out of state BSN program.

You didn't mention which state you were going to apply to for your license, but it may be a good idea to get your license in the state you're being schooled in and then apply in CA by endorsement.

I'm in Reno and we have a lot of people in my program that are either from California or want to work in California after graduation. I know that at my school, it can sometimes take a very long time to have your transcripts updated before you can request that they be sent to the CA BON for review. However, affidavits from the school of nursing are sent to the NV BON days after graduation, so one can schedule their NCLEX rather quickly.

So what some of my friends have done is they go ahead and get a NV license, then apply for a license in CA by endorsement instead of by examination since the waiting time for the transcripts is so long.

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I am in Wisconsin. I am leaving within a couple days of finishing my program so I will not have time to sit for my boards in WI.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Then I'd suggest having a conversation with admissions & records, or whatever department at your school is responsible for transcripts, and ask them how long it takes before your official transcript will be updated after graduation. When you apply for your license in CA by examination, that's one of the things they require you send in. Because of that, it may be very quick, or it may take a bit of time.

Here's to hoping they're quick!!

Also, I'm not sure how all of the hospitals in the Bay Area work, but a recruiter from UCSF told me that the Spring new grad positions that'll start in February or March of 2008 will be posted online for applications starting in September. It definitely sounds like the early bird gets employed!

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Here's a thought...

Can I apply for a WI license and then actually physically take the NCLEX at a testing center in CA? Or do I have to actually test in WI?

Thanks

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Hello Smile4stamps!!!

I graduated in May from a nursing program in NC. I applied for my license through the CA BON because I knew I was going to relocate to the Bay Area. I sent my application off June 1st and I had approval to take the exam July 2nd. I took the exam July 23rd here in NC, found out I passed July 27th, and received my license August 4th.

I requested that my transcripts be sent to the BON day before I sent off my application. I was very pleased in my dealings with the CA BON desipte the horror stories I have heard.

Congrats and Good Luck!!!!

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