License Issue/Chamberlain/Deaconess Question - Long

[girlsetsfire]

Hopefully someone can help me here (if this thread should be moved - let me know).

I recently was accepted into the the Chamberlain/Deaconess online ASN program, and have a question regarding where I would end up license wise, so to speak. From my understanding once I complete the the program and graduate, I can sit for my NCLEX where I live and become a licensed RN (IL)(assuming I pass).

However, I'm getting a great deal of run around/confusion as to where I would be able to work once I have my RN license from IL when I ask the DCN and the BON.

Because Chamberlain is an online program - the advisor in the DCN program straight out told me that 7 states do not let student take the clincal portion (CA, AK, WA, WY, NY, LA or KA) due mostly to the fact that these states BON require faculty to supervise clincals, not preceptors. So I could not take the program and sit for the NCLEX in those states.

But I've been doing some research in those states BON (namely CA and WA - since there is a remote chance that I may live there in the not too distant future due to hubby's job) and called them both on getting my license endorsed by them. WA told me straight out they would not endorse my license because of the online nature of Deaconess program. They said I could work for VAs or Federal Hospitals in WA though. When I called and spoke to someone in CA's BRON - they said where I took my nursing pre-req's would be the main factor in endorsing my license there. They would evaluate the transcripts when I sent in the endorsement application.

I have searched the past threads and found that DCN & Excelsior don't get recognized at all in CA, so I don't know why the CA BRON didn't just tell me that when I called.

So when I called back DCN/Chamberlain to talk to someone about what I found out from WA & CA, DCN/Chamberlain said I wouldn't be applying for an endorsement of my license; I would be asking for license reciprocity. But when I call or look for info online from the state BON's they say I need to apply for endorsement/reciprocity seems to be kind of interchangeable. Am I misunderstanding the terms endorsement and reciprocity in regards to an RN license?

I'm rather confused and I don't want to make the wrong decision regarding my education; I cannot undo my initial RN schooling - so I want to make it count.

If anyone who has graduated from DCN/Chamberlain's program has any insights on applying for license reciprocity or endorsement in those 7 states, please let me know.

Thanks for sitting through this - I'm sorry it was so long!

[rninme]

I am sure that Chamerlain is going to have to fight with BON's the same way that Excelsior has. Online learning IS the wave of the future, and it is a way to educate future nurses that would be unable to attend a "traditional" program. As far as the DCN/Chamberlain ADN program....you have to be on-campus is St Louis for clincial testing/checkoffs.....prove that your clinical practice is up to standards.

I get confused myself as far as the reciprocity vs endorsement issue. I believe....and I very well could be wrong.....that once you hold a license in one state...you apply for endorsement in another. Trying to remember what I did when I left IL. And as far as your IL license goes....IL is not a cake-walk state to get a license in. The IDPR has very tough standards for professional practice....and I have never had another state refuse to accept it. Good luck!

[lioneyes]

RN in ME,

So you went through deaconess and got your license in IL and said no other states have refused reciprocity with you il license. what states are these ? canyou tell us? thanks.

[rninme]

RN in ME,

So you went through deaconess and got your license in IL and said no other states have refused reciprocity with you il license. what states are these ? canyou tell us? thanks.

No....I went to a "traditional" nursing school. Enrolled in CCN's RN to BSN program. I said that CCN is probably going to run into problems like Excelsior.....BON's not wanting to accept RN obtained from them. CCN is accepted in IL. So....if you live/work in IL or MO there isn't a problem. If you are thinking of moving....find out how many hours you have to work in IL before that other state will accept your license for endorsement. Reciprocity is accepting a license from another compact state....which IL does not belong to. I think that maybe MO is a compact state...but I am not sure. I know of several people that are getting the runaround on this question from CCN....several have PM'd me. There are ISSUES....so my best advice is....if you do not live in IL or MO....check with your state's BON and find out of CCN's program is accepted for accreditation in your state.