Looking for Nursing schools in California that accept International students

steppybay · Dec 13, 2013

Thank you! I've read them on the forum and called the schools but there are alot of requirements they want you to take the TEAS V and that is just one of the criteria for admission not to mention there is a waiting list.

Yes, that's true for the majority of CA schools offering the deficiency courses, it's also for US educated students trying to get licensed in CA who graduated from an out of state US college. The examinations are "pass or fail", so you need to pass the first exam in order to move on to the next testing, if you pass that one, then they will allow your application.

BUT in some cases, you may only get put up into another waiting list, depending if there are any open spots after the regular enrolled students are accepted in the same deficient course, but they are not taking the class as a deficiency but rather just a part of their normal curriculum.

Which makes meeting the 3 year limitation to satisfy the CA BRN requirements even tougher or else, they will consider the application as "abandoned". You can request for an extension but so far, no one has been given one yet.

l0saC08 · Dec 14, 2013

Hi there! How come you have 4 deficiencies? Most of the Phil grad has just either psych, ms or ob. When you were in nursing school did you stop or something? So sorry just curious. Thanks!

Yep I stopped for like one and half year because we migrated here in Cali and then went back to the Philippines to finish my BSN degree but then I transferred to another school. I really don't know but on the letter it says that I haven't meet all the aspects of theory and clinical training on those four subjects based on the documents that I've submitted to the BRN. On the other hand they also said on the letter that If ever I apply to a school I should also bring with me the detailed description of the med surg and ob courses that I have completed. So, I'm still confused If I have to repeat all those four subjects or just the medsurg and ob.

l0saC08 · Dec 14, 2013

Yes, that's true for the majority of CA schools offering the deficiency courses, it's also for US educated students trying to get licensed in CA who graduated from an out of state US college. The examinations are "pass or fail", so you need to pass the first exam in order to move on to the next testing, if you pass that one, then they will allow your application.
BUT in some cases, you may only get put up into another waiting list, depending if there are any open spots after the regular enrolled students are accepted in the same deficient course, but they are not taking the class as a deficiency but rather just a part of their normal curriculum.
Which makes meeting the 3 year limitation to satisfy the CA BRN requirements even tougher or else, they will consider the application as "abandoned". You can request for an extension but so far, no one has been given one yet.

Most of the schools that I inquired that's the same thing that they've told me that I have to undergo the whole 2 year RN program. But I'm still looking for some schools if ever and if there's no school I guess I have to take the 2 year RN program because I found one school in wherein they don't have a waiting list which is the American River College in Sacramento but u should meet all their requirements and you have to get a high score on the TEAS V. I'm also considering College of Canyons cause they said that I don't have to repeat some of the subjects that I took like anatomy, micro bio etc. but they will evaluate first my grades on those subjects and the only subject that I should repeat is the English 101 before I apply to their RN program.

About the 3 year limitation If ever they abandon my application it means that I have to resend the same papers? thanks for the heads up :)

steppybay · Dec 15, 2013

Most of the schools that I inquired that's the same thing that they've told me that I have to undergo the whole 2 year RN program. But I'm still looking for some schools if ever and if there's no school I guess I have to take the 2 year RN program because I found one school in wherein they don't have a waiting list which is the American River College in Sacramento but u should meet all their requirements and you have to get a high score on the TEAS V. I'm also considering College of Canyons cause they said that I don't have to repeat some of the subjects that I took like anatomy, micro bio etc. but they will evaluate first my grades on those subjects and the only subject that I should repeat is the English 101 before I apply to their RN program.
About the 3 year limitation If ever they abandon my application it means that I have to resend the same papers? thanks for the heads up :)

Yea, by the time, you find (if ever) a school that's able to offer all of your 4 deficiencies, I don't think you'll have enough time to complete (meaning) you're all done 100% with them to satisfy the CA BRN requirements AND have the documents to prove you've finished them in time.

That's why there are those that they say to re-take the entire program (2 year). I think that they (CA BRN) have in their minds, it will be easier and quicker to enroll in such a program rather than compete for just the selected few needed ones. The priority of these deficient courses will always go to the current enrolled students vs anyone coming in from the "outside". Remember the already enrolled students are not really having to make up any deficiencies but rather just need to simply fit them into their schedule.

Yes, you need to score fairly high on the TEAS exam as they (this goes for about 99% of all CA community colleges) pick those first based on the highest scores. If you don't make it, I'm not sure if you need to take a refresher course or can't apply again and I think the TEAS exam is universal, meaning those scores will follow you and applicable to any CA school. You may be allowed to re-take the TEAS if your scores are below the minimum acceptable range I think, check with your advisor on this.

Yes, once the application has been abandoned by the CA BRN, as they will see that there's been no further documentation of satisfying the deficiencies on your part, they consider that you're no longer actively needing the application. So in these cases, you must re-apply again with all new non-refundable application fees, submit all new transcripts from the PH schools and meet whatever new requirements goes into effective at the new application time.

Essentially, you are going to re-apply as a first-time applicant and still face the many months of waiting for an answer.

Who knows, the CA BRN may no longer accept any excuses from any USC or dual citizen on why you don't have the local PH nursing license, which currently they are waiving if you are a USC or a dual-citizen. Then, you're stuck with having gone thru all the steps of completing the deficiencies in CA, but if they enforce the current requirement of needing a copy of a valid PH nursing license and you don't have it, the application will be rejected and lose the application fees.

You can see why in these cases, it might be just better to re-take the nursing program again even if it means re-taking the same courses and subjects again and not have to worry a couple of years later to take the NCLEX-RN. One thing if you did well in the courses in the Phils, you'll be more likely to do just as well if not better since you have more knowledge than a newer student who sees it as gibberish, lol.

Also, if you complete the courses in CA, you'll be getting your ATT within a month of the completed application and most likely to pass the NCLEX the first time with at least a 80-85% passage rate vs the 30-35% of most PH grads.

You are also more likely to be picked for a hospital job over a PH grad or nurse, despite the near 50% unemployment rate of CA new grads. I mean go to the CA nursing forum section and see how many PH grads have gotten a working hospital job (not volunteer for free) in the last year. While many CA grads are still looking for their first job, there are those with success stories of getting hired in vs read of how many PH applicants got even an interview.

babusgirl · Dec 18, 2013

It says on the Nursing page that after u applied for the deficiency they will send a review material for the Fundamentals of Nursing Challenge Exam. So probably it will mainly consists about the nursing skills and stuffs. And if u want we can be study buddies. ahehehe. Btw, have u heard anything from them about your application?[/quote']
Have you considered applying for other states?its just so tough here.plus the cost of living here, if you dont work youre stuck on bills.

anemiasy · Dec 22, 2013

Most of the schools that I inquired that's the same thing that they've told me that I have to undergo the whole 2 year RN program. But I'm still looking for some schools if ever and if there's no school I guess I have to take the 2 year RN program because I found one school in wherein they don't have a waiting list which is the American River College in Sacramento but u should meet all their requirements and you have to get a high score on the TEAS V. I'm also considering College of Canyons cause they said that I don't have to repeat some of the subjects that I took like anatomy, micro bio etc. but they will evaluate first my grades on those subjects and the only subject that I should repeat is the English 101 before I apply to their RN program.
About the 3 year limitation If ever they abandon my application it means that I have to resend the same papers? thanks for the heads up :)

Hi. Where are you attending your schooling now to take the deficiencies?

MORasks · Mar 30, 2014

Hi, I am a nursing graduate in the Philippines too and got my transcripts reviewed by the nursing board and i would like to know if hwre are you studying know because I am looking for schools too, I'm in the bay area and I've called alot of schools same experience as you. I want to know which school will admit me because one of the schools said that they have three years waiting list just for MS 2 and Ob. please help?

l0saC08 · Apr 18, 2014

Have you considered applying for other states?its just so tough here.plus the cost of living here, if you dont work youre stuck on bills.

Sorry I replied so late to your question. That was also one of my option but I think that if I go back here it's the same requirements that I'll submit to CA-BON and maybe it will be same result again. So, I decided to just take the 2 years Rn program + the pre-requisites that they will require because there's an assurance that when I'm done with the program they will admit me to take the exam because I graduated to one of the schools on their list that offers the program.

l0saC08 · Apr 18, 2014

Hi. Where are you attending your schooling now to take the deficiencies?

Hello :) Not yet. I still have to meet up with the counselor in ARC (American River College) and look at the evaluated documents that I've send in the school if there are subjects that they will credit foe pre-requisites.

Btw, the evaluated documents that I've send is from an outside agency that evaluates foreign transcript the schools is the one who recommend it to me.

l0saC08 · Apr 18, 2014

Hi, I am a nursing graduate in the Philippines too and got my transcripts reviewed by the nursing board and i would like to know if hwre are you studying know because I am looking for schools too, I'm in the bay area and I've called alot of schools same experience as you. I want to know which school will admit me because one of the schools said that they have three years waiting list just for MS 2 and Ob. please help?

It's sad but yes mostly of the schools that I've called will ask you first what the CA- BON said on the letter and if the CA-BON required you to take the MS again you have to take the 2 yr RN program + the pre-requisites because they said that MS takes alot of scoop in the RN curriculum. Out of the schools that I've called I chose American River College in Sacramento because first thing is you can apply twice a year and they are based on the point which I think you do have an edge to get in and not by random selection. Also, they are nice, they will really answer all your questions and give you the best option as far as I've had experience talking to them. And btw, if you call to some schools and they tell you that your transcripts should be evaluated first by an outside agency asked them what agency will they usually linked in/prefer. Godbless in your journey in looking for schools :)

jack2014 · Apr 27, 2014

For those that having issues with deficiencies, i do believe the best option is taking MS RN , I notice a very long waiting list for one of two spots and you are wasting your time keep on trying to look for school. Maybe I am one of the few got my deficiencies class completed ( OB, CC, Psy and Peds) Dec 2013. Unfortunately i was the first and the last on the deficiencies program at my shcool. I was informed by the school that they worry about people failing in the NCLEX exam that lower their school rating that is why they stop enrolling the deficiency progam. BTW the cost of those deficiencies is not cheap around ($15000) for those that looking in the private school like CBU. etc.

l0saC08 · Apr 28, 2014

Does the MS RN that you recommend will also be applicable to BSN foreign graduates?

For those that having issues with deficiencies, i do believe the best option is taking MS RN , I notice a very long waiting list for one of two spots and you are wasting your time keep on trying to look for school. Maybe I am one of the few got my deficiencies class completed ( OB, CC, Psy and Peds) Dec 2013. Unfortunately i was the first and the last on the deficiencies program at my shcool. I was informed by the school that they worry about people failing in the NCLEX exam that lower their school rating that is why they stop enrolling the deficiency progam. BTW the cost of those deficiencies is not cheap around ($15000) for those that looking in the private school like CBU. etc.