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Discussion

Please Help - Australian RN trying to gain Californian Registration

Hi everyone,

I'm an Australian RN of 20+yrs experience (42yrs of age) trying to gain information on the process of becoming registered as an RN in California, USA. I believe I am deficient in my OB/Paeds knowledge and prac as it was not a part of the Undergraduate Program at my university when I completed my degree in Queensland Australia.

I have repeatedly contacted via phone the California Board of Nursing but they have only an answering machine reply that they're unavailable. I am happy to do whatever it takes to get me to California, including completing bridging courses to gain an Authorisation To Test Letter to sit and pass the NCLEX. Has anyone recently crossed over from Australia who can give me some advice please?

Very appreciative of any help. Thank you!

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    • Featured Replies

    Check out other board of nursing like Arizona or Texas that belongs to compact states. It's easier to apply and get jobs.

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    Hello NatNes1823,

    I would suggest getting in contact with Conexus Medstaff as they can get you work in the States on an E3 visa.

    It is challenging to get registration in California. First of all, you need to hold a social security number or an ITIN. For you to hold an SSN you need to be or have been in the States on a visa with work rights. For you to hold an ITIN, you need to have filed a tax return. Without the SSN or the ITIN, California BON won't even look at your file.

    Once you are successful in obtaining your visa, and land in the states and get your SSN or ITIN, only then can you apply for registration in California. And you have to take the supplementary course for obstetrics and paediatrics and the number of schools that offer them are limited in number and only offer limited spots! They don't make it easy!

    I suggest you apply for registration with a state that doesn't require the SSN or ITIN so you can get they NCLEX out of the way. Once you land in the states, you can apply for licensure by reciprocity with California BON. You will still need to attend a supplementary course but at least a significant amount of time has been saved by sitting your NCLEX and getting licensed in another state before you arrive in the US.

    All of the processes involved in the US licensure and immigration journey each involve months of correspondence, tons of paperwork, money, and WAITING so I suggest you get started ASAP.

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    • Author

    Hi Maemir!

    Thank you so much for your information and my apologies for the late reply. I will look into the alternative states and see what my options are.

    Have a great day!

    Regards,

    NatNes1823

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    • Author

    Hi vyecheverria,BSN!

    Your information is much appreciated and I too apologise for the delayed reply. It certainly is a challenge but your options I will absolutely consider.

    My purpose is to have employment by the time I move over to be married in 2020 and settled with my fiancé who lives in San Diego(a US Citizen). I am wanting to transition over on my own employment merits, however if it ends up that getting married first is the cheaper and easier option to gain a social security number and then begin the long tedious process of sitting the NCLEX and then registering, then so be it.

    Really appreciate your time and advice.

    Kind regards,

    NatNes1823

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    • Experts

    I agree with @YeXinZhi. But you mentioned about your fiance in San Diego. That is also a faster route to get your SSN, but of course, you'll have to be here physically, get married and get the permanent residency status (you will get your SSN then). Then you can apply for the BRN. If in case the BRN requires you to take up courses, then that's the beginning of the challenge. You mentioned that you lack OB and Peds in your education. Take note of these schools that you can apply. East LA College: I've heard that they'll accept you right away, but they only accept you for the OB course. The advantage? It's a community college, so OB course there is a 4-unit course. Each unit is worth $46 as of the moment, so you're saving a lot of money by paying almost $200 only for the tuition. The second school is Dominican University of California. It's in the north of San Francisco bay area. It's expensive, but this school has an IEN (internationally educated nurses) Program. They accept all IENs who are required by the BRN to take either 1, 2, or 3 courses regardless of whatever country you came from. And they offer courses all year round. If you only need Peds, that's better. Each course there is worth $6,150. But many have finished their courses there, and they successfully passed NCLEX-RN. It's a beautiful school too, so European-like. But I'm sure you'll also find a school there in San Diego.

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    • Author

    Hi vinnyfromtheblock!

    Wow, thank you so much for that information! It has been a frustration to say the least, trying to navigate my way into getting registered with the Californian BRN, almost giving up entirely and pursuing other employment avenues.

    I really appreciate the names of those schools and the relevant information you gave for the bridging courses - thank you so much!

    I have 2 years left in Australia and am trying to implement all necessities prior to the move, including local study if necessary. It is great to know I have that second option of studying at those mentioned colleges in California, and that perhaps I should just work and continue saving for my tuition fees on this end until I move over and begin life in America.

    Your time and information is much appreciated - thank you so much for sharing!

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    Why don't you try and get your obs and paeds requirement out of the way while youre still in Oz. I'm sure there are unis that offer supplementary courses there but do you research to make sure California BON recognises these.

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    • Author

    Absolutely agree - that was the plan originally after returning from California in January. I'll continue my correspondence with them via email as their phone is just not an option. Thank you so much again!

    Kind regards,

    NatNes1823

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    • Experts
    Hi vinnyfromtheblock!

    Wow, thank you so much for that information! It has been a frustration to say the least, trying to navigate my way into getting registered with the Californian BRN, almost giving up entirely and pursuing other employment avenues.

    I really appreciate the names of those schools and the relevant information you gave for the bridging courses - thank you so much!

    I have 2 years left in Australia and am trying to implement all necessities prior to the move, including local study if necessary. It is great to know I have that second option of studying at those mentioned colleges in California, and that perhaps I should just work and continue saving for my tuition fees on this end until I move over and begin life in America.

    Your time and information is much appreciated - thank you so much for sharing!

    You have 2 years left there in Australia? Why not apply for other States, especially those that don't require SSN (social security number). A few of them are Illinois, New Mexico and Texas. Let's say, you already passed the NCLEX-RN from one of these States, then let's say that you're already here in California... so you can apply from the BRN for an endorsement of license from the State you passed (considering you already have your SSN then after getting your lawful immigrant status). If the result of your endorsement application from the BRN says that you need to take up courses, then you already have at least 2 schools that I just mentioned. That's one option.

    And yes, I support @YeXinZhi's question about fulfilling your OB and Peds courses while you're still in Australia.

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    • Author

    Hi Vinnyfromtheblock!

    Thank you so much and yes, absolutely will try that option! You and the fabulous nurses above on this thread have been a great source of help suggesting the alternative routes to go through other States. It's been more the anxiety of finding the right option, then putting each step in the right order to minimise time and money wastage. I truly appreciate every bit of information shared by you and those above. Thank you!

    Sincerest Regards,

    NatNes1823

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    Im in the same situation. Where can I go to check which universities california BON will accept for deficiencies such as OB, Paeds,

    Soo challenging

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