Question: taking the NCLEX before BSN graduation?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hello all!

I am exactly 54 days (yes, i'm counting) from graduating from a BSN program and have just finished interviewing for jobs at the hospitals in my area. They told me that they want the new nurses to start orientation by July 1st and asked me when I thought I would get my RN license. I explained to them that I had already sent in my application to the California Board of Nursing (including live-scan fingerprints) and that I had to wait until my school sent my final transcript to the Board and that then the Board would give me the go-ahead to take the NCLEX.

The California Board of Nursing states on its website that it can take up to 4-6 weeks for them to process your application after they receive your final transcripts...so, say I graduate May 12th...grades are due to the registrar probably by May 16th...my nursing school will hopefully send off a transcript by May 19th....Board of Nursing gets my transcript May 22nd....and 4-6 weeks later brings us to then end of June or early July (which is when they want me to start working as a licensed RN). So best case scenario, I can take the NCLEX in late June...and then add some more time till I get the actual license!

The hospitals here do not hire until you are licensed and are not allowing any new nurses to practice on the interim permit. One of the nurse managers suggested that I take the NCLEX before graduating from nursing school (she said that she knows someone who did it). One of the other nurse managers in the room said that he knew someone who had done this as well but that this person's license was different and said something like "non-graduate RN"...basically he said they don't recognize that you have graduated from a BSN. He didn't know if this was something you could change later after the Board of Nursing receives your final transcripts or if they would issue you another license at all.....

So, has anyone else heard about taking the NCLEX before graduating from nursing school? And if so, what are the negatives to doing so?

I was a little surprised that the nurse managers (who I assume have been doing hiring somewhat frequently for years now) didn't really know about this stuff. July 1st seems like a pretty early start date for new nurses graduating in the middle of May. I'd love to start working right away (got plenty of loans to pay off) but I'm not sure it is even possible by July 1st.

Any advice/information would be really helpful. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had the understanding that verification of graduation was required before you received the ATT. At least that's what we (school in WI) had to wait for. I could be wrong though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure about this either. But, I can suggest you PM to "suzanne 4" or post it in her Ask Suzanne Thread. She is very knowledgeable about such things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure about this. I would think if you did do something like that it would put alot of undue stress on yourself as you would be studying for the NCLEX which drains you of everything as it is very hard on the nerves and studying for your tests in school as well. School is draining in itself during that last semester, adding the NCLEX studying during it would be a lot to take on. I would think if the hospital was that interested in you they would be willing to start you on a new nurse orientation once they know you have passed, no matter the date. Good luck w/whatever you decide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg ICU, NICU.

As far as I know you must have graduated from nursing school before you can sit for the NCLEX. The board of nursing must issue you an authorization to test before you can schedule the test. In order to obtain an ATT the board has to have proof of graduation from an accreditated nursing program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CA is the only state that offers this odd option. You can take the NCLEX and get licensed (before you actually graduate), but it's a license that will not be recognized by any other state. There are some other threads on this board that discuss this (I don't really understand all the details! :)), that you could probably find by doing search or looking through the CA forum here.

In terms of the "big picture," over the course of your career, a few months one way or the other aren't going to make much difference ... If it were me, I'd wait and get the "regular" license. :) Best wishes --

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I decided to take NCLEX before my graduation from BSN program and I passed! So far all I have received is my CA RN card and it doesn't say that I am a non-graduate. From what I hear as long as you send in another copy of your transcripts after your degree is posted to them then if another state calls to verify that your have a BSN then they can say yes and the non-grad thing doesn't matter. I am just happy to have NCLEX out of the way so I can enjoy graduation. The hospital I work at seemed happy that I already passed---if they hire me they won't have to invest money into somebody who doesn't pass their boards.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I received my large paper Nursing license and it doesn't say that I am a non-graduate RN on it anywhere either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, neuro,research.

i got licensed first in mn, a one page application but they asked for transcripts. then i thought i was going back to ga, a two paged application and they asked for transcripts. i have been living in florida, a 14 paged application and they want transcripts, proof you passed and proof you have applied to take the exam. some places in fl allow you to practice as a gn( graduate nurse) while you are waiting to take the boards. so, no help here. no short cuts, remember?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Uh, I graduate with my BSN May 17th. My transcript will say that I graduated...............

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

The State Board of Nursing is your absolute final authority on what is permitted.

As for the manager, could be they went to NS in a state that allows "graduate nurses" to work till they pass NCLEX and are not completely aware of what your state now requires. Things do change with time.

Have you asked to be hired now as a nurse extern (less pay) with the understanding you will progress to RN when you pass your test? That way you and your employer can try each other on for a while and it may relieve some of your stress over job-hunting. Good luck?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you everyone for your replies!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment