RN_stucky621

Home health, flu clinic, snf, assisted living, etc....there are plenty of opportunities in nursing. Yes, those aren't acute care settings but it could still provide you invaluable experience (and not show a gap in you resume)

grats

It took them about a year and a half to grant me the ability to sit for the NCLEX and I was given an unrestricted license after their investigation. I only have one but I got it during school so it was maybe about a year from when I got it to when I applied. Also, I submitted multiple character reference letters from my instructors and employers and a lengthy letter showing that it was a one time mistake. If you do take the chance and apply for a CA license and they deny you you are going to admit that to every state's board of nursing as they all ask the question of having ever been denied a license from another state.

This was my very first job after licensure California (bay area) 35/hour new grad flu clinics

Agree with Meri, you have to start getting letters from your instructors (yes they are going to have to know about you DUI so they can address is in their character letter). They are most likely going to deny your license the first time around so be ready to work in a non-nursing field for awhile (caregiving, tech, etc). Another big thing is to get all your legal papers in order which are the police reports, court documents, etc andmake sure they are all certified with a stamp as they will decline to use it if the papers aren't certified. It is going to be along process but I have heard some people getting an unrestricted license (including me) after the while ordeal is over. Good luck in your journey.

Thanks for all your input......it seems like I better learn as much as possible when I have my 10 weeks with a preceptor before I get thrown onto the floor on my own

I was offered a new grad job in a PICU at a california hospital and was wondering how demanding the PICU is? I never saw myself doing peds after licensure (especially in PICU) but was lucky to get an interview through family. I am worried about all the skills, assessment, etc I have to learn on top of me finishing up my rn-bsn online. Any advice on what to study and which skills I definitely should be working on? Thanks!

seems like you're going to have to enter a nursing program here in the USA to ever become an RN in the US

Agreed, an ADN who graduated a month or two ago that is eligible to apply for any US employer and in process of getting their BSN will look a lot better than someone who graduated with a BSN years ago from a foreign nursing program even with a refresher course. I'm not judging but just stating the facts.

If you get into a state-run teaching hospital (UCLA, UCSD, UC Irvine) I hear the benefits aren't too bad as you can get into CALPERS. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

There are plenty of RN jobs for new grads with associates but I doubt you'll be able to stay in the sacramento area. Also, try San Joaquin Delta in Stockton which has an awesome program and plenty of hospitals around the area that hire (especially the new correctionals hospital) and it's only an hour away form sac! Doing the RN-BSN is more advisable than doing an LVN-RN program as akul said. You have the option to do your whole BSN training online as an RN and it really doesn't cost a whole lot (did my RN-BSN for about $9000 online at Ohio University)

Sacramento can be perceived as boring until you live there and find out that there is so much to do. The pay for RNs isn't as high as they bay area but you can make a pretty good living as described by Nicki. I would suggest applying to Kaiser Permanente as well as they are always hiring RNs with experience.

Might have to start looking into getting a Master in Nursing degree as I feel like this may be the minimum for foreign educated nurses now

There is actually a good amount of hospitals and SNFs hiring ADNs here in California. Most of them are willing to chip in if you decide to get your BSN while working also. The hiring freeze is slowly melting!

Depending on where you live i'd say have patience and start looking for a job outside of nursing for a little bit. I got a DUI in nursing school and it took me about 2.5 years to finally get my RN license (unrestricted thankfully). I'm hoping they fast track it for you and you get your license sooner but it is also good to have another job in the mean time instead of worrying about the BRN.

So after about a year and a half I am very happy to announce that the BRN has dropped their disciplinary actions against my application and I am free to take the NCLEX to get an UNRESTRICTED license. Even though you think your life is gonna be over its not! Keep your head up everyone as you will eventually get through this as well.

As bpowers stated, its probably better to get a letter from a psychiatrist (MD or DO) in addition to the one from your psychologist. Remember that it is up to you to show proof that you are rehabilitated and this was a one time lapse of judgment so the more evidence the better

I am also in a similar situation (1st time DUI during school). What someone recommended here on the forums is to go to a MD or DO psychiatrist that is an addiction specialist and have them do an alcohol evaluation on you. If this was truly a one time lapse of judgement than it'll look better during your appeals process when you have a letter stating that you aren't addicted to alcohol. The poster who recommended this is from California, also got a 1st time DUI during nursing school, got initially denied, but was given an unrestricted RN license during appeals (you can search the forum the thread is still around). Best of luck to you

Any area that hires me after I graduate

Just FYI I heard my analysis that with the federal government shutting down and the stimulus money running out they are thinking about cutting a majority of the scholarship recipients or even thinking about not accepting new applicants. This is why the application isn't even out on the website yet when in the previous years it came out around February or early March. Just wanted to let you hopefuls know so you don't get too entrenched into this scholarship.

Hey Solidus..I remember seeing your posting a few years ago about CSU Bakersfield.....are you still in that RN program?

The RN pathway program that you linked are for people who already are RNs (ADN) and are furthering their education to get a BSN. This is currently being suspended until 2012 "The RN Pathway is the suggested course of study for students who have an Associate's Degree in Nursing and a NY State RN License." You must be talking about the generic pathway for those who aren't RNs yet which still is taking applications. Generic Pathway Hunter College

all your answers can be found here: Nursing Scholarship Program

Was not an initial award recipient and got mine at 12pm PST today

So is the October 7th payout still happening? I was one of the late recipients and never got the initial award email