Euthymia

Regarding endorsement of your license in CA, I would send in your CA application the moment you receive your RN license at your current location as the wait time can take up to six months depending on method of fingerprinting and review of transcripts for CA clinical and course requirements. Live Scan method can only be performed in CA, but it is usually more reliable than the card method and certainly speeds up the process. If you attended more than one college, send transcripts from every institution attended regardless of the courses taken as they review everything. If your state participates in Nursys, use it to verify your current license as this will also speed up the process, however, do this only after you mail in your application since verification expires in 90days. There is an additional charge for the temporary license option while you are waiting for the application to be approved, however, save yourself the $50 since the CA BRN does not issue temporary licenses anymore.

Thanks Sean! It took about five weeks from my check being cashed to receiving endorsement and roughly ten weeks since I mailed the application out. I applied via livescan, nursys and rush delivery of all transcripts. Wishing you luck, keep in touch with them regarding receipt of transcripts and your fingerprint cards. It is probably a good idea to project a slightly later date (as you mention above) just in case, but I hope you are endorsed sooner!

Yeah, the Breeze updates allegedly don't reflect our application status. The rep I spoke with told me to disregard those updates. I eventually had to send out transcripts from all six colleges I attended. I initially sent out only those transcripts from nursing school and institutions where I had taken my nursing prerequisites. The BRN then requested all college transcripts (even though my "missing educational history" status disappeared) and I overnighted the remaining transcripts immediately. I didn't know that more transcripts were requested or which specific courses they were looking for until I spoke with someone in the licensing unit. I also requested a phone call from my evaluator and didn't hear back, but I don't think that is a bad thing as I just received my endorsement today! Thus I think it helps to touch base with the BRN even if you don't get a callback. I also think they are beginning to catch up with the backlog. I hope the rest of you receive endorsement soon!

Sorry to hear about the deficiencies. CA is very selective regarding education requirements. I wasn't fully aware about how deep the BRN looks into non-nursing, general education requirements until they asked me for more transcripts. I'm a second degree BSN, many of my general education courses are spread out across numerous universities, some dating back twenty years. I had originally sent them my nursing school and nursing prerequisite course transcripts, but I learned via phone that they have a list of 7-9 specific general education courses that are required for endorsement, and thus needed to see my other transcripts. Although they mention general education courses on the application, it does not specify which specific courses are required. I'm glad that you have other options to pursue, I'm basically relying on CA since we already relocated here.

Once you are logged in click on "update profile" tab, then "add license." It will ask you to select license or application type via drop down bars. Enter DOB and last 4 digits of social security number. If you are in the system an "applications" section appears on the bottom left with "view application status" option underneath.

Obviously you should have a competitive nursing GPA, however, beyond meeting that requirement, its usefulness is limited since most applicants have top grades. Thus standing out from the applicant pool is vital. Here are a few important things that I think helped me get admitted to UCSF: Explore potential recommenders - coworkers, supervisors and professors - early on and choose those who will be writing recommendations carefully. You want to utilize people who you established/have a good working/academic relationship with, who know you well, including your personal, educational and professional strengths, weaknesses and overall potential. It is also important for recommenders to know which school and specialty you are applying to so they can tailor the recommendation to fit the application and give reviewers a pertinent profile of you. Make sure that they include what is unique about you and your strengths in respect to preparation for graduate study and fit for the program. Take the time and effort to build a strong and unique personal statement. It it basically your mission statement, consisting of your academic and professional goals and values, a description of the driving force behind pursuit of graduate study and petition for why you are worth the investment. It should be passionate, but professionally stated. It is important to remember that many applications read like carbon copies, everyone talks about their "love for patients," "making a difference," "love of nursing," etc. You want to go beyond writing about general or anecdotal patient interactions and care to a more cogent and directed statement detailing how and why you will impact/contribute to/change for the better your specific field of study, domain of employment/occupation, the community at large and the nursing profession. Think along the lines of - What about your background, goals and strengths make you stand out from other applicants? Are you willing to take risks, assume leadership roles, petition for change at the organizational level? Are your goals and expectations realistic and do they convey your experience within and understanding of your field of study and the nursing profession overall? Utilize any opportunities for initiative or leadership in your current job. This can include developing a QI or research project, promoting positive outcomes (petition to change/amend policies, procedures or protocols), implement a program (for example to improve patient education, safety, documentation, etc). This will not only show that you are willing to go beyond mere fulfillment of basic job duties, but it will also arm you with enhanced knowledge, skills and confidence. Hope this helps!

My check is not showing up as cashed yet despite the BRN telling me last Thursday that it had been deposited, I've checked my bank account online and by phoning my bank. I sent out my application on July 15th. However, my application status is now visible on Breeze as "pending" with a submission date of 8/20/14. So it seems that they have at least put my application in their queue for processing (if this info is accurate). I'm ignoring the "Missing Education History" under the deficiencies tab per the advice of the BRN (upon my previous phone call). Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

Yes, ideally we are looking at mid October. Hoping for endorsement on or before that date!

I spoke via phone with a very polite and informative representative this morning, she reports that my check has been deposited and that it should be cleared soon. According to her as of present time, the processing time from cashed check to endorsement is roughly 7-8weeks, but they can only formally guarantee 90 days. She says that they are still working on May and June applications. Interesting note is that the Breeze application status updates are "not accurate" and should not be used to determine pending application status or deficiencies per our conversation. I am somewhat relieved as my application is at least in the beginning stages of being processed! Will keep my fingers crossed!

How do you check for an application status on Breeze? I signed up (provided requested info - name, DOB and last 4 digits of SS#), but all it states is "no license information." Is there a method for checking on application status? I sent my application out around July 15th, check hasn't been cashed yet. Did fingerprinting via Livescan.

Hey thanks woofyrn! I can read your PM, but site won't let me reply to your msg. If you don't mind PMing me your email, I can correspond with you. Otherwise no worries, I can try to attain the minimum 15 posts and reply to your PM. Thanks!!!

Thanks for trying! Apparently, new members can't send private messages until we post at least "15 quality posts" according to the message I received when trying to PM.

Congrats to everyone who got accepted! Sorry to those who didn't, I'm sure we all had stellar applications! I think denials reflect competition for limited slots more so than perceived deficiencies in our overall profiles. Does anyone have any tips for buying or renting in the Bay Area? My spouse will be working in Oakland. We know very little about the area and commuting characteristics. Any info would be appreciated!!

I don't believe they offer a BSN as a pathway to MSN via this program, it appears that they only award a MSN upon completion. They require 51 credits of pre-requisites prior to entering the program, however, you have the option to apply to the program before completing these pre-requisites. This is from their website: "Registered nurses must complete 51 college-level credits including specific pre-nursing courses prior to enrollment in the master's program. (Students may apply prior to completing the courses, with a plan to complete all pre-requisites prior to matriculation. Please call for more specific information.)" More info here: http://nursing.unc.edu/academics/options-for-rns/rn-to-msn/ If you are only interested in a BSN, you may want to consider looking elsewhere, however, I would definitely call them to clarify. The office of student affairs was always helpful when I was a student there.

Does anyone know how many students are accepted to the PMHNP track? Wondering how large the cohort will be.