Licensing after accelerated program

amber1142 · Jul 8, 2005

Has anyone been in this situation? any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
sunnyvale94086

You can take NCLEX anywhere; it's the same exam no matter where you take it, and it is a separate issue from where you get your license. I don't know the details of the state to state regulations concerning licensing, but I believe you can apply to the California BON for your license, even if you are living elsewhere if that's where you intend to live eventually. Don't quote me on that part; call the California BON to be certain. I am positive about being able to take NCLEX anywhere though; they will forward your results to whichever state you have applied for a license.

I don't know anything about one state being slower than another in granting licenses.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 8, 2005

You shouldn't have a problem with going direct for licensure in CA. The biggest problem is the delay with nursing schools submitting final transcripts.

CA will permit nurses that graduated from a program in CA to sit for the exam if there name is on a list submitted by their school, before transcripts are submitted.

sunnyvale94086 · Jul 8, 2005

Thank you so much for your answers!

I know that I have to forward my transcripts to the California BON and they have to approve it before I can sit for the NCLEX. I guess I will not have much choice than to supply them with application + transcripts and wait.

On the California BON website, they also mention that the nursing program you graduate from has to follow California standards - I was trying to find information on what these standards were and can't find it anywhere, so I emailed them with that question. I am still waiting for an answer.

I guess I just want to make sure that I will have done everything that I can so that licensing in California goes smoothly after I graduate from Michigan. I am afraid that California will come back and tell me that I need to take more courses - if so, I'd rather know it ahead of time because we all know how nursing courses can be packed.

May I ask in what state do you live and how long it took both of you to get your license from your graduation date?

Thanks!

sunnyvale94086

Pachinko · Jul 8, 2005

Hey Sunnyvale--your post is extremely timely for me--I'm entering the U of M accelerated program in the fall and will be moving to California after that. I called the California BON and asked them if the program would be eligible for licensure and was told that it was. However, I never emailed, so I will do that. I'd appreciate hearing back about what they say to you.

One thing I did find that is pertinent if you're going to U of M is that California requires microbiology to have been part of your nursing curriculum; however, U of M does not require it (this is unusual, since most of the other nursing schools in MI do require it). I'm taking it now in preparation for licensure. They also require sociology, which I hadn't taken, so I took that as well.

sunnyvale94086 · Jul 8, 2005

Hi Pachinko,

I'll be starting my accelerated program this fall at MSU and microbiology is a requirement to enter their program (though sociology isn't) - I am taking it right now over the summer. When I was looking for nursing programs, the different requirements from different schools drove me nuts!

I wanted to apply to U of M but I missed their deadline. Anyways, congrats to you, I heard that it is a very good school:)

Mmm...I will call California BON to ask them about licensing after MSU. I know that MSU's program is accredited, but who knows, it's better to ask. It's good to know that there is someone else in the same situation that I am. I'll definitely let you know what California BON will tell me.

Pvt. Parts · Jul 8, 2005

Hey Sunnyvale--your post is extremely timely for me--I'm entering the U of M accelerated program in the fall and will be moving to California after that. I called the California BON and asked them if the program would be eligible for licensure and was told that it was. However, I never emailed, so I will do that. I'd appreciate hearing back about what they say to you.
One thing I did find that is pertinent if you're going to U of M is that California requires microbiology to have been part of your nursing curriculum; however, U of M does not require it (this is unusual, since most of the other nursing schools in MI do require it). I'm taking it now in preparation for licensure. They also require sociology, which I hadn't taken, so I took that as well.

How long were you on the waiting list?

I will be applying there in Spring 2006.

sunnyvale, I graduated from MSU. You'll enjoy E. Lansing when you're not buried in your studies! Best of luck to you!

sunnyvale94086 · Jul 8, 2005

Hey Pvt.

How did you you know I was on the waiting list?:)

I waited about 1-1.5 month...a few people (I think about a couple) got offered a spot and they rejected it - so I got offered the rejected/unfilled spot. Since you will be applying there in Spring 2006, I will post my opinion of the program while I'll go through it, I'll try to be as objective as I can.

I have seen many photos of Michigan and of the campus of course - it looks like a beautiful state! I'm very excited about moving there for the program.

Any advice on places to check out? (if I have time). Someone has told me that UP and Traverse are cool places to visit, although I don't really know why.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 8, 2005

The Upper Peninsula and Traverse City are quite beautiful. If you do not like a lot of snow, go there in the summer. Otherwise beatiful area in the summer.

Lots of lakes all over if youi like boating.............remember Michigan's other name is land of the lakes (or something similar).

Pachinko · Jul 8, 2005

Actually, Michigan's motto is "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you" :chuckle But we still have a lot of lakes.

Pvt Parts, I was not put on the waiting list but had some friends who were; applications are due in the fall and people were notified right before Thanksgiving. Those who were accepted from the waiting list found out, I think, the following March or April.

sunnyvale, Lansing is more towards the west part of the state and I'm in the east (Detroit 'burb), so I'm not as familiar with stuff out there--I do know that the Lake Michigan shore is a relatively quick drive and gorgeous, sleeping bear dunes especially. Both Mackinac and Traverse City are beautiful. If you can get to Chicago, definitely do it (trains run out there--not a fun ride, but worth it, Chicago is a beautiful city).

If you get to the Detroit area, check out the Detroit Institute of Arts and the black history museum right near it. They also have a wonderful farmer's market.

sunnyvale94086 · Jul 8, 2005

I'll try to visit other places in Michigan as much as I can:) Thanks.

Well, I called the California board of nursing, and they basically told me the following:

- In terms of knowing if your nursing program will meet California standards - there is no way to officially know other than to compare your school's curriculum with one from a Californian approved nursing program.

- I was told that out-of-state nursing program people seeking for CA license mostly were deficient in microbiology and sociology.

- It takes them 4-8 weeks to process an initial request to take the NCLEX, then an additional 10-30 days to license you after they receive your NCLEX results.

- It takes 4-8 weeks for licensing by endorsement (of course this does not include the time spent by the other state to review your application and licensing you after they receive your NCLEX result).

Pvt. Parts · Jul 8, 2005

Hey Pvt.
How did you you know I was on the waiting list?:)
I waited about 1-1.5 month...a few people (I think about a couple) got offered a spot and they rejected it - so I got offered the rejected/unfilled spot. Since you will be applying there in Spring 2006, I will post my opinion of the program while I'll go through it, I'll try to be as objective as I can.
I have seen many photos of Michigan and of the campus of course - it looks like a beautiful state! I'm very excited about moving there for the program.
Any advice on places to check out? (if I have time). Someone has told me that UP and Traverse are cool places to visit, although I don't really know why.

I assumed you were on a waiting list because a few of my friends were pre-nursing students there while I was still attending MSU.

The campus is beautiful! I love East Lansing and I will always have fond memories of it.

The UP is a 4.5 hour drive at least, and Traverse City is closer by about an hour.

If you like beaches, check out Grand Haven in the summer months. The water is comparable in temp. to SoCal in the summer months but warmer late July-early October. Nice fine sand and plenty of people!

Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore is pretty sweet too, but there are dunes in a lot of places along the shore of Lake Michigan.