Licensure Question

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I'm going to nursing school in Idaho but planning to move back to California as soon as I graduate. My question is this: Should I take the NCLEX here in Idaho first, then retake it in CA or should I just wait to take it in CA?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Personally, I would take NCLEX in Idaho, then immediately obtain a California nursing license through endorsement.

Also, have you researched California's employment market for nurses? I'm not being a negative Debbie Downer, but it's rough. New grads have a 43 percent unemployment rate, and things tend to be even worse on new grads who attended school out of state.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Neither. NCLEX is a national exam, there is no need to take it twice. You can physically take the exam in Idaho for licensure in California, you can take NCLEX wherever you want so long as you submit your application for licensure to the CA BoN. I see no reason to get an Idaho license if you don't intend to use it- why pay two states' licensing fees?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I see no reason to get an Idaho license if you don't intend to use it- why pay two states' licensing fees?
Because the chances of finding a new grad job in CA are heavily stacked against the OP due to having completed nursing school out of state - the new grad unemployment rate in CA is 43 percent. And obtaining initial licensure in CA takes forever.

IMHO, it is better to have that Idaho nursing license as a backup.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Because the chances of finding a new grad job in CA are heavily stacked against the OP due to having completed nursing school out of state - the new grad unemployment rate in CA is 43 percent. And obtaining initial licensure in CA takes forever.

IMHO, it is better to have that Idaho nursing license as a backup.

It doesn't really sound like the OP is considering that, though. She said she is moving back to California shortly after graduation. I admit I'm not so great with geography on that side of the country but I don't think Idaho is really close enough to California to commute.

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Since Idaho is a compact state it may well be worth the cost for OP to obtain an Idaho license prior to moving to CA, before obtaining a CA license as well. Then if/when OP can't find a job in CA, like so many, many thousands of other nurses, OP will have many more choices of where to land next. And OP can still maintain that CA license in the event things ever... turn around?

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

Compact license is only multi state if a leg resident of the compact state. If the OP moves to CA & endorses the ID license they will have two single state licenses CA. & ID

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In that case, then back to the drawing board. OP might wanna stay home in ID and grow potatoes. Sorry, World:There are 'NO' nursing jobs in the state of California.

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I have to agree with The Commuter on this,

Stay in Idaho and get some decent experience, if it is possible for you and your family. The cost of living is much higher in CA and it is going to be a rough, rough road to a job as a new grad in CA.

I'm not trying to be bitter or dissuade you, but my empty bank account and past due bills speak of the reality in the life of a new grad RN.

My situation is considered the normal for new grads in CA, not the exception.

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