NCLEX-CA: BSN from PH still hopeful looking for other pinoy aspirants

cherrybee · Sep 5, 2014

Hello there nurses!
I am a PH BSN graduate.. still hopeful...
Applied June 2014 NCLEX-CA
August 2014: Received a letter asking for additional papers:
1. Complete record of cases (minor major OB) (the 5-5-5)
2. Academic calendar
submitted
I am still waiting for their reply....
To be honest, it is emotionally draining. Frustration is higher than the ceiling. I have read SO MANY comments of others questioning us (international RNs still pursuing CA license) why we are wasting time and money when there is a lot of other states...
for me (and i know others too) heres why:
1. My husband lives works and grew up in CA (in short we cant move. no, we dont want to move)
2. The weather here is great
3. Im a NUrse.
Im a nurse. I will apply NCLEX in CA and try eventhough there have been really discouraging posts i have read and very well understand the risks of being an international graduate. I have also doubts in my application but id rather try than wonder what if all my life... I respect CA NCLEX qualifications. We went here, we adjust to what they want.
All my batchmates (from my school) are RNs here but they already took NCLEX before 2010 concurrency policy.. I graduate 2009 from a top performing school, i have masteral units, i have submitted also my masteral transcript i have written them letters and even school registration forms to prove my enrollment...
Whatever the result may, i have done my best...
So far, while i wait, i do research on LVN route, schools for deficiency classes (in case), read/study when i can and PRAY.
Anyone with the same case as i am is welcome here. PUSO parang GILAS lang mga kabayan.
Im hoping for the best for everybody, foreign or local. applicants.
soCAL pinoy applicants: be my friend
Godbless us all

Hi I have the same situation as u. but I applied for the LVN instead. Where are u in socal?

moki9204 · Sep 6, 2014

Hi Kababayans! If there's someone here who can relate to you most, that's definitely ME! I know the feeling. In my case, I applied to Cali and NY at the same time. My NY app. got approved first, so i took my chances of passing the NCLEX_RN. Fortunately, I passed the exam without FLYING COLORS. ( I dont wanna leave Cali for greener pastures in NY since my family is settled here. So now, i am prepping for the NCLEX-Pn for the LVN-RN route... :) **fingers-crossed .we can do this!

MABUHAY! hehe would be nice if we could help each other cope from the FRUSTRATION that we are experiencing due to this struggle to get in CALI.. for the love of CALIFORNIA - the greatest state of all

if you wish to contact me or need someone to vent-out feelings of deep distress, please email me at [email protected]

Thank you,

Tj Daugherty

steppybay · Sep 6, 2014

There should be over 7,500 PH applicants alone in CA (from last year's report) and probably well over 10,000 plus total from those recently graduating this year (2014) and many either now finding out they will be denied or already know they will be rejected but just try anyways.

There are those that applied in late 2011 and early 2012 now that finding their applications will soon be "abandoned" as the 3 year limitation to complete their deficiencies is about to expire. With the request for any extension at this present time it will not be granted.

They must actually give the CA BRN evaluator a copy of the completed school transcripts and not just to be enrolled. Once abandoned, the applicant must re-apply all over again with new non-refundable application fees and new PH school transcripts all over again (basically starting from square 1) and still file their new application with the proper completed school transcript to show they met the deficient courses in order to get the ATT or at least file a brand new application and re-start the 3 year clock limitation.

The above reason of why many of the CA BRN evaluators suggested to the declined PH applicants to re-take the nursing program in CA is that they probably knew the CA schools offering the deficient courses are very limited, highly going to be impacted and try to get into a CA approved CA BRN school as then, there's no question you'll get the ATT within months, if done right, one can take their NCLEX-RN right after graduating where everything is so fresh and pass their first-time with about a 80-85% chance of passing.

What's happening for the previous stuck PH grads is that they are finding out it's conceivable to become a RN in CA in about 6-10 years if they went to school in the Phils when they include their 4 years spent in the PH plus add in time to finish off the deficiencies. The "irony" is that they also no longer qualify to be considered a "new grad" and getting into a hospital (about 90% preference) is just that much tougher with stiff competition from the CA new grads (who are within the first year of their graduation date).

The blame game doesn't belong to the CA BRN at all. Nope, the fingers and frustrations should be aimed at the CHED, PRC and PNA for failing to at least comply with the USA rules and regulations (written in their policy since 1987) that they have known for many years but simply chose to ignore them.

To add insult to injury, blame the other previous and some of the current nurses today, passing the fraudulent documentation and cheating their ways to get licensed in CA (especially) that has caused every PH applicants (and other international applicants) under the CA BRN microscope and the must-now request for more solid paperwork from each and every one with a BSN outside of the States.

These are the "nurses" (aka scammers and cheaters) that have caused your disappointments and the ones that wrongly took away your possible livelihood as a CA nurse and jobs given to them. But the CA BRN has been slowly catching some of the frauds out there and some recently going to jail! YES!

jmariel · Sep 6, 2014

I have a question, so in california they require 5-5-5 for cases? That's going to be tough for newer graduates because the cases needed here in phils is 3-3-3.

I am curious because I have some batchmates looking to work in california.

steppybay · Sep 6, 2014

I have a question, so in california they require 5-5-5 for cases? That's going to be tough for newer graduates because the cases needed here in phils is 3-3-3.
I am curious because I have some batchmates looking to work in california.

No, not true. The PH schools went to the newer 3-3-3 so that they could try to comply with keeping the concurrency rules in line, so if you're under the new 3-3-3, then that's all you need, if you graduated under the older 5-5-5 then, yes, you need to show those 5-5-5.

But just to let you know, those that graduated (2013) under the new 3-3-3 have been denied as the PH schools and their curriculum and due to the heavily impacted cases in the PH, can't still get it right.

However, there have been a few successful applicants even from previous years, but they are the exception and not the rule, so they are in 0.5% class of getting approved. It remains to be seen that those that did make it thru but failed the NCLEX and upon re-application have they been re-approved or got denied on the second try.

Moral of the story: if one gets approved for the NCLEX-RN, pass it the first time as you never know if you'll be given the chance again if found, you're not going to meet the concurrency even after getting the approval the first-time.

kawaiibows · Sep 6, 2014

Hi Kabayans! I am also in Cali but opted for Texas instead. I'll be taking my NCLEX on the 29th of Sept. and hoping for the best. As for Cali, I grew up here. Finished elementary to high school and decided to go to the Philippines for college. It's sad to be moving away from family and all but nothing is permanent. Who knows tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next 10 years the concurrency issues will be history. Maybe then we can try for the NCLEX-RN or be endorsed. We were taught that nurses are "flexible" in nursing school right? So we must adjust according to circumstances. Hang in there, some day we'll have those licenses in our hands. For now seek for other opportunities that will benefit you as we cannot change the existing policies right now.

kawaiibows · Sep 6, 2014

Hi Kababayans! If there's someone here who can relate to you most, that's definitely ME! I know the feeling. In my case, I applied to Cali and NY at the same time. My NY app. got approved first, so i took my chances of passing the NCLEX_RN. Fortunately, I passed the exam without FLYING COLORS. ( I dont wanna leave Cali for greener pastures in NY since my family is settled here. So now, i am prepping for the NCLEX-Pn for the LVN-RN route... :) **fingers-crossed .we can do this!
MABUHAY! hehe would be nice if we could help each other cope from the FRUSTRATION that we are experiencing due to this struggle to get in CALI.. for the love of CALIFORNIA - the greatest state of all
if you wish to contact me or need someone to vent-out feelings of deep distress, please email me at [email protected]
Thank you,
Tj Daugherty

Congratulations RN! And good luck! In what part of California are you?

steppybay · Sep 6, 2014

I have a question, so in california they require 5-5-5 for cases? That's going to be tough for newer graduates because the cases needed here in phils is 3-3-3.
I am curious because I have some batchmates looking to work in california.

Could you clarify your comment about your batchmates looking for work in CA? Are they US citizens or dual citizens or green card holders or ??

abbyrenalRN · Sep 6, 2014

There should be over 7,500 PH applicants alone in CA (from last year's report) and probably well over 10,000 plus total from those recently graduating this year (2014) and many either now finding out they will be denied or already know they will be rejected but just try anyways.
There are those that applied in late 2011 and early 2012 now that finding their applications will soon be "abandoned" as the 3 year limitation to complete their deficiencies is about to expire. With the request for any extension at this present time it will not be granted.
They must actually give the CA BRN evaluator a copy of the completed school transcripts and not just to be enrolled. Once abandoned, the applicant must re-apply all over again with new non-refundable application fees and new PH school transcripts all over again (basically starting from square 1) and still file their new application with the proper completed school transcript to show they met the deficient courses in order to get the ATT or at least file a brand new application and re-start the 3 year clock limitation.
The above reason of why many of the CA BRN evaluators suggested to the declined PH applicants to re-take the nursing program in CA is that they probably knew the CA schools offering the deficient courses are very limited, highly going to be impacted and try to get into a CA approved CA BRN school as then, there's no question you'll get the ATT within months, if done right, one can take their NCLEX-RN right after graduating where everything is so fresh and pass their first-time with about a 80-85% chance of passing.
What's happening for the previous stuck PH grads is that they are finding out it's conceivable to become a RN in CA in about 6-10 years if they went to school in the Phils when they include their 4 years spent in the PH plus add in time to finish off the deficiencies. The "irony" is that they also no longer qualify to be considered a "new grad" and getting into a hospital (about 90% preference) is just that much tougher with stiff competition from the CA new grads (who are within the first year of their graduation date).
The blame game doesn't belong to the CA BRN at all. Nope, the fingers and frustrations should be aimed at the CHED, PRC and PNA for failing to at least comply with the USA rules and regulations (written in their policy since 1987) that they have known for many years but simply chose to ignore them.
To add insult to injury, blame the other previous and some of the current nurses today, passing the fraudulent documentation and cheating their ways to get licensed in CA (especially) that has caused every PH applicants (and other international applicants) under the CA BRN microscope and the must-now request for more solid paperwork from each and every one with a BSN outside of the States.
These are the "nurses" (aka scammers and cheaters) that have caused your disappointments and the ones that wrongly took away your possible livelihood as a CA nurse and jobs given to them. But the CA BRN has been slowly catching some of the frauds out there and some recently going to jail! YES!

Totally agree!!!!

Just early this year 7 Filipinos in Sacramento practicing nursing already was found to have FRAUDULENT nursing documents i think it is still posted at CA BRN website... very disappointing really.... although on the otherhand a lot of employed in the healthcare sys here in CALI are Pinoys and valued to be the best in giving care.... I only wish HONESTY and being coincides

Very informative comment thank you

abbyrenalRN · Sep 6, 2014

How is your application???

I live in Glendale. you guys can email me at [email protected] so we can update each other regarding our applications...

I am planning to apply LVN exam too... How is it working for you?

abbyrenalRN · Sep 6, 2014

I have a question, so in california they require 5-5-5 for cases? That's going to be tough for newer graduates because the cases needed here in phils is 3-3-3.
I am curious because I have some batchmates looking to work in california.

I do not know really if it is based on HOW MANY CASES you had but what i am sure of is they should be simultaneous with your theoretical classes.. that is why they are asking for a copy of the cases and academic calendar.. Ex. OB cases dates must be within OB subjects... In another forum i have read that as long as your cases were completed in the same year, i will be accepted... To be honest i dont have any SURE 100% advice regarding this cases matter...

I suggest its either they call CA BRN to ask (i tried though, i wasnt able to get through), email them (i also tried they didnt reply) maybe you guys will be able to... or just try to apply and see what they would say... they are evaluating each application based on the submitted documents so i guess your question can only be answered by them...

For me, i applied so i would know if i qualify or not... besides i have no other way i have finished college and my records are my records... So i just tried submitting them (fingers-crossed)

they can also try submitting in 2 states like others did to have options if ever they would not qualify for CA...

Im sorry i cannot give you definitive answer to your question

Best of luck to all of us