Non-Degreed Registered Nurse???

TazziRN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

The pay won't be any different; California hospitals do not differentiate, or at least most of them don't. If you meet the qualifications to take the boards, go ahead, but think about something first: do you want to study for the boards at the same time you're trying to finish up your degree? The boards are hard and nerve-wracking, so think hard about that.

Something else: new grad preceptorships are usually full time. Will you be able to do that and finish up your last semester?

Gennaver, MSN · Apr 25, 2007

I need some advice from all you fantastic nurses out there. I am debating whether or not to take the boards before I finish the BSN. I am worried though because I don't know too much about a non-degreed license, which is what I would receive, when it comes down to pay and out of california jobs. If anyone has any info I would appreciate it. I opted for the non-degreed license because I would be sitting for the boards right after clinicals and I would start nursing 6 months earlier. :uhoh21:

Hello,

In my state we cannot schedule a test day until the testing center receives a letter from the state upon state confirmation of documentation received from completion of our school program.

How does it work when you can sit to test without completion of your school program?

Gen

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

I'm confused...

We couldn't take the boards until our school sent out our info, which they didn't do until after graduation day. Graduation day was 2 weeks after we finished up the program. I didn't know you could sit for the NCLEX without having a degree...

So, the only benefit of this is starting work sooner?

TazziRN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

I didn't know you could sit for the NCLEX without having a degree...
So, the only benefit of this is starting work sooner?

Diploma nurses don't have degrees.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

Diploma nurses don't have degrees.

Good point...

noel_nsg · Apr 25, 2007

TazziRN - My thoughts have really been all over the place when trying to make a decision on when to take the boards. I am just so excited by the idea to start nursing sooner than later. I currently have been working full time while in nursing school, not to say that it has been easy, if I financially could make it work I probably wouldn't work while in the program. The last 6 months of the BSN program are online classes so I was figuring it would be easier than what I am currently doing.

Gennaver- I want to say that CA and Hawaii are one of the two states that will allow you to sit for the boards once you have completed your clinical rotation including leadership. The California State Board of Registered Nursing said that I may have difficulty endorsing to other states.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 25, 2007

Noel, I would strongly recommend you graduate first because with the time needed to study for the boards and then take a preceptorship, you may find yourself letting your classes slide. The other option is to leave the last part of your degree work till later, but then you run the risk of never bothering to finish.

youknowho · Apr 25, 2007

We were advised if this situation came up, not to do it. Our university said it is possible but you will forever be a non-degrees RN even though you will have a degree. Then you have to explain and blah blah blah. I would just wait and finish everything, then take the boards. I just don't see any benefit of taking boards first in this situation.

noel_nsg · Apr 25, 2007

Thank you everyone for all your advice, I am definitely thinking twice about taking the boards early. It has been such a long road getting to the point that I am at now and I don't want to make a mistake in taking the boards early. It is just so enticing....more hands on learning, patient care, the pay, 12 hour shifts. Thank you thank you thank you everyone, I appreciate all your advice.

CARDIACRN2006-I have heard that statistics show that the pass rates for those who take the NCLEX after clinicals are much greater than those who wait months to take them. The only other benefit came from a recruiter at a hospital that I was interested in. He said that if I took the boards early I would have a better chance of getting into the new grad program vs. waiting, because all of the other schools will be graduating at the same time making it more competitive for their 35 open slots.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Apr 26, 2007

I'm confused...
We couldn't take the boards until our school sent out our info, which they didn't do until after graduation day. Graduation day was 2 weeks after we finished up the program. I didn't know you could sit for the NCLEX without having a degree...
So, the only benefit of this is starting work sooner?

BSN nurses can take boards before they graduate. Usually the last semester is community health nursing and not stuff you need for the NCLEX. At my school you can take you LVN after 1 1/2 years and RN after 2 1/2 years

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 26, 2007

Diploma nurses don't have degrees.

Actually, quite a few of us in my diploma school class of '08 already have degrees (myself included).

But anyway, to the question at hand: I won't be allowed to sit for the NCLEX until the BON receives official confirmation from my school that I've completed the program and graduated. The regulation states that applicants must graduate from an accredited nursing program but doesn't say anything about earning a degree.

From the BON:

"THERE ARE THREE (3) ELEMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE AS A NURSE IN NEW JERSEY:

1. Graduation from an approved school for professional nursing or practical nursing;

2. Criminal History Background Check clearance; and

3. Passing the appropriate NCLEX licensing examination."