Moving to California, Need Advice

[Cmatt13, BSN, MSN]

So...

I'm a nurse who is licensed in Illinois, currently living in the UK, and moving to central California in June. While here in the UK, I've been unable to work because of the difference in degrees--I'm just now (this week!) finishing my BSN completion. I've been off since last September.

I have 8 years of nursing experience and about 12 years of experience as a medic and ED/ICU care tech prior to that.

I keep reading all of these posts about how horrible the nursing job market is in California and I'm wondering if anyone there would venture to guess how long I'll be looking for a job? I'm heading out there a month or two before my move to sort out my license (Illinois is notoriously slow about endorsing and it seems like California might be equally as frustrating) and look at some hospitals.

Any suggestions to make my application shine? I have all the usual ED certifications, and they're current (ACLS, PALS). I'm hoping that the situation is better for someone with experience than for someone who is just out of school, but I also haven't worked since last fall (as a nurse), so I'm a little nervous about it...

[mccordm1]

I would say that once you have your CA license, it shouldn't be that bad. You have your BSN, years of experience, and all your certifications. Most new grads aren't getting job offers because it is so expensive for hospitals to train them. I think you will be ok. Keep us posted, and good luck!

[augustluv4]

It should be easier for you to find a job in CA since you have years of experiences. I notice may positions from hospitals and other health facilities open for RNs with at least 1 yr of acute experiences. :) Only the new grads have no luck!

[leemy20]

i just moved to california from az and it took me a month to transfer my license. It took me a couple of months to find a job, but it wasnt two bad. I had 3 interviews within a month of applying. I think you wouls be fine. i only had 2 yrs of experience and really founnd no problem getting call backs.

[Cmatt13, BSN, MSN]

Thanks everyone! I thought I might be ok, but it's kind of overwhelming to move cross-country, much less overseas *and* cross country...guess I just keep freaking myself out because of the seeming enormity of the task!

[BennyRNCA]

I would say that once you have your CA license, it shouldn't be that bad. You have your BSN, years of experience, and all your certifications. Most new grads aren't getting job offers because it is so expensive for hospitals to train them. I think you will be ok. Keep us posted, and good luck!

I would make sure that you can safely endorse your IL license over to CA. You will find a lot of international grads that obtained their degrees if your's is an overseas BSN? I'm gathering that's where you're getting your degree from, if not and it's here in the States, you're good to go. As the CA BON has been placing very strict requirements on those not meeting the minimum in certain courses or having sufficient hours or not taking courses concurrently.

CA BON is merely enforcing a decade plus year old written policy of the above fore-mentioned, but you can get more details in the "World" section of AN. It's nothing new or recently added to the CA BON minimum requirements.

That includes any international grads even already licensed in any state other than CA. If you venture over to the "World" section, you'll find the disappointments and struggles of both international new grads and those already licensed in other states. There are those with UK, Phillipine, India, Russian, Ireland, Australia, NZ and many other countries with their international BSN's unable to get licensed in CA. I know, I'm trying to help two overseas friends for some time now and still getting declined letters.

CA BON does not look at the years of experience as their main foundation is the educational background of each applicant, but may consider the years of work, but not something to depend on in their granting of the endorsement.

I would make sure you can safely pass CA BON's requirements, you might want to ask your BSN classmates and especially of those that got their license in CA with no problems. It is taking those particular applicants months, some close to 9 months plus to even get an answer from CA BON.

Good luck!

[Cmatt13, BSN, MSN]

Thanks--for the record, my degrees are from here in the states.

Just out of curiosity, since I can't seem to find the answer anywhere else, do you happen to know which information I should include on my forms for the BON? It says put down your nursing school, but do I need to put both my BSN and my ADN schools down??