fireandice77

I originally posted this on the tread titled, "Maric College or Wait!"

To answer the original question: No. The credits do not transfer from Maric College to the public State or UC systems (referring only to California, since it seems that most in this thread are referring to San Diego). BUT... You can still enter a California public 4-year university's BSN program. Maric (which is now Kaplan) is acknowledged by NCLEX. Pass this, and nobody can tell you that you are not an RN. Once you are an RN, you can speak to a counselor of your chosen university. The usual path at this point is to pass a compentency test to enter the BSN program. I know this because it is not unusual to have an ADN student in Kaplan already holding a bachelors in another degree. To become a nurse is a career change for these individuals. This usually means that whatever classes they took to obtain their original degree, is over the time limit for what is required to enter a BSN program (i.e. biology and math in the last 5 to 10 years). Again, once you are an RN, you are an RN. You are now just obtaining higher education after the NCLEX has acknowledged and certified you.

I can only post my experience regarding transitioning from being a Kaplan/Maric student to joining the work force: Started mass applying to nursing positions in San Diego, CA 2 to 3 months before graduation. All my applications were via online. I applied to Kaiser Permanente (all facilities), Sharp (all facilities), Alvarado Hospital, VA Hospital, UCSD Hospital, various nursing facilities, and various private practices. Graduated 11 February 2008. Took a mental break for the rest of February 2008. Followed up on all my job applications all of March and April 2009. Got disheartened hearing no reply at all until mid-April. Then received offers for hire from ALL facilities that I had applied to. In fact, all recruiters seemed to be very determined to hire me, constantly leaving me messages. Some of those messages were simply to say "hello" and to see how I was! Also, they all knew that I had not yet taken my NCLEX, yet they were all willing to hire me on the condition that I would keep my job upon passing the NCLEX. I even attended a job faire at a hospital and got hired on the spot. I didn't even know until I was called 3-days later by staffing asking about my availability. I politely asked them to wait so that I could make sure I was making the right decision before starting work. They were willing to accomodate me. Made the final decision to work for Kaiser Permanente at the end of April 2008 (their benefits and pay packages were the best for me). Started working 19 May 2008. Took the NCLEX 24 May 2008. Received official word that I passed the NCLEX the following Tuesday and kept my job. Also got a little congratulatory party from my (back-then) new coworkers. Been working for Kaiser Permanente ever since. It helped GREATLY that I started applying months before graduating and that I was open to work for any department. When I called Kaplan's/Maric's job counseling office to notify them that I no longer needed their services, I was congratulated then asked how I did it. I just told them that I start applying early, like they told us to do at the beginning of the last semester. "I wish all the other students followed that advice." was what was said, making me believe that although I took 3-months to find a job, it was still much quicker than average. Also, I was honest with all the recruiters by letting them all know that I had not taken my NCLEX, and the result was that they all accomodated to and negotiated with me. As for pay differential between ADN and BSN, the difference is roughly $2.00/hour. But, but, BUT, if you already hold a bachelors of science in another field, you still may acquire the $2.00/hour differential. Just ask your manager if your bachelors applies. (Keep in mind, this information applies to Kaiser Permanente. I'm not sure of the other facilities.) Some students in my class were college graduates already established in the professional work force before we became nursing students. Had a couple of classmates with masters. We were just looking for a change of profession. And it seems that the same applies to Kaiser's past year's batch of new-grad hires (regardless of what school he/she graduated from). Especially now with the economy as it is, many are making the change to be a nurse. So you are more than likely to find more ADN graduates that hold bachelors in other fields.