NPskywalker

Yes, I would recommend applying for your CA RN license as soon as you can because the process can take at least 10-12 weeks.

I am currently applying for RN and NP licensure in California. I recently found out that California requires Anatomy with lab and Physiology with lab. I took an Anatomy class that did not have a lab component. I also took a separate Physiology class that did not have a lab component. I have been working for 3 years as an NP in Massachusetts and also Nevada, and have never run into this prerequisite issue for licensure in these states. Can anyone tell me if I would need to retake Anatomy and Physiology, both with lab, or if I could simply take the lab-only courses for each one? I found a place that offers standalone lab courses for Anatomy and Physiology. I plan to call the CA board of nursing about this, but if someone can give me an answer sooner, I would greatly appreciate it.

Hi Juan, Did you apply for the RN endorsement at the same time as the NP endorsement, or did you have to wait to receive the RN license number first and then apply for the NP license? I was hoping to expedite my licensure processing time but then realized that it's probably not possible since the NP endorsement application requires the CA RN license number. I've heard many horror stories about transferring NP licenses to California. My friend waited a total of 5 months to get her CA RN license and CA NP license (she applied to them separately).

I was told by some NPs (who have no locum tenens experience) that it is a bad idea to do locum tenens as a new grad and it is better to get a normal NP job for at least a year. It's discouraging to hear, but I am still hopeful. Is it feasible to land a locum tenens job as a new grad NP? Especially if I apply to longer term positions that are 6+ months to a year? If anyone started locum tenens as a new grad, I would love to hear about your experiences. I will be graduating in May 2015 in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care.

I really want to do locum tenens after I graduate in May 2015. I've been told by NPs (who have never done locum tenens) that it is a bad idea to do it as a new grad and better to get at least a year of experience in a normal NP job. I am feeling discouraged by that, but I am still hopeful that I can do locum tenens as a new grad if I apply for a long assignment (6+ months to a year). Can anyone tell me which agencies they had success with as a new grad? And if I should only try applying to 6+ month-1 year assignments because I would be a new grad? Thanks!

I am going to be a senior at Tufts University and I am a Biology major. My gpa is a 3.0. I've gotten mostly Bs and C/C+s in my science and math courses. I've gotten mostly As and Bs in my Spanish, English, and other nonscience classes. It's been pretty rough and rigorous academically and my confidence/self-esteem has definitely plummeted since entering college. I will be finishing my nursing prerequisites during senior year and I will be taking the GRE very soon. My past activities have included ESL tutoring for Hispanic immigrants, being guidance counselor's assistant for a community citizenship internship class, being a member of a club that promotes racial diversity, taking EMT classes and getting EMT-B certification, going on a medical mission trip to Costa Rica, and I have substantial experience in biological research (plants, insects, and genetics). What are my chances? Or more specifically, which direct entry nursing programs would I have decent chances of getting in? Should I get more work experience or strengthen my academics? Is it absolutely necessary to shadow an NP? Any insight/advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi AlysonBA, Congrats on getting into such great schools! I am in the process of applying to direct entry nursing programs and I was wondering if you could share what you think made you a strong applicant for schools like Yale and Columbia. 1. What relevant extracurricular activities and jobs did you have (like shadowing an NP)? 2. What was your gpa range? 3. Where did you go for undergrad? 4. What was your major? Anything you could tell me would help me so much. Thanks!