REFRESHER COURSE or BS NURSING PROGRAM...AGAIN TX BoN???

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This is the frustrating experience I had to go through to pursue my nursing career here in the US. And I am pretty sure that most of the aspiring nurses there have more or less thesame situation as mine.

I finished my BSN program in the Philippines and currently hold a RN License but wasn't able to practice my profession for 4 years now. I just got here in the US and I am hoping to take the NCLEX_RN exam. But I was just confuse with the process because based from what I read, registered nurses who were not able to practice their profession for 4 years or more are required to take the Refresher Course.

Then I also came across from another source about taking the RN diploma Program. So I decided to contact the Texas BON and told them about my situation as I need a clarification about this. And to my dismay, they indeed advise me to obtain a diploma in which I can only acquire by completing the nursing program.

So they are actually telling me to go back to school and attend a 4 years nursing program.I think they totally assume that a person who is out of school for 4 years would actually forget all about things (which is possible). But in my case, I still do self-study hoping to take the NCLEX-RN soon. Taking the refresher course is an acceptable idea since I really need to be "refreshed " with the nursing theories and the hospital procedures (most especially) that I missed throughout the years. But going on the whole process of completing the nursing program for 3-4 years again would be farcical.Do I really need to go through this program again??? though I already have a BSN way back???Or is it possible to just take those pre-requisite subjects /units herein the US that were not included in Philippines' BSN curriculum??? Well, I guess they will have to evaluate my TOR and other credentials to see if they meet the BSN's standard curriculum here in the US.

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Need your advises everyone.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Thread moved to nurse registration forum. If you were a US educated nurse who was not licensed in TX and had not practiced in 4 years or more TXBoN would require you to either repeat your nursing education or take a refresher course. A refresher course with clinical component is not the same as taking a hospital based diploma program or even a 4-year BSN program. The board of nursing is in place to ensure nurses registered are safe & meet minimum competencies to practice and to ensure public safety.

The NCLEX-RN is one step in the licensing process. You are not applying to take the NCLEX but applying for a nursing license by examination. Permission to take the exam is granted if you meet the criteria set for by the board of nursing.

Try checking the TXBoN website for approved refresher courses.

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Specializes in Educator.
Need your advises everyone.

I am not sure I completely understand. Have you had your transcript evaluated and are you now eligible to take the NCLEX? If not you should start there. Your specific BON may have specific criteria but a 4 year wait? Does not sound quite right??

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

If you have not practiced in 4 years regardless of country of education, you will need to takes refresher course.

See here: http://www.bon.texas.gov/nursingeducation/faq_refresher_answers.html

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If you have not practiced in 4 years regardless of country of education, you will need to takes refresher course.

See here: FAQ's for Refresher Courses

according to the link, since the op has not passed the nclex with in 4 years, they need to repeat the nursing program , a two year program would be the quickest.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Nursing education program is used interchangeably with 80 clinical-hour refresher class, not everyone must complete a degree program.

http://www.bon.texas.gov/nursingeducation/edudocs/3-12-1-a.pdf

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIX-MONTH TEMPORARY PERMIT TO COMPLETE REFRESHER COURSE, EXTENSIVE ORIENTATION, OR NURSING PROGRAM OF STUDY IN PROFESSIONAL REGISTERED NURSING

Six-month temporary permits are issued to nurses who have not been employed as a Registered Nurse during the past four years and are used for the purpose of completing a refresher program, extensive orientation tothe practice of nursing, or a nursing program of study under the supervision of an RN Instructor. In order to reactivate or be issued a license, you must successfully complete ONE of the following:

(a) A refresher course, which is defined as an organized course for Registered Nurses designed to update nursing knowledge, and which meets all content criteria as indicated on the attached form;

(b) An extensive orientation to the practice of Registered Nursing which meets all content criteria as indicated on the attached form; or

© Academic nursing course(s), in an approved Registered Nursing education program, which meets all the content criteria as indicated on the attached form.

The temporary permit will be valid for six-months from the date of issuance. The permit cannot be extended!

Please be sure that you are prepared to begin and complete the course, orientation, or program of study within the required time limit.

Source: http://www.bon.texas.gov/olv/pdfs/6mth-rn.pdf

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Thanks for the links JustBeachyNurse

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I am not sure I completely understand. Have you had your transcript evaluated and are you now eligible to take the NCLEX? If not you should start there. Your specific BON may have specific criteria but a 4 year wait? Does not sound quite right??

I didn't take any actions yet with regards to processing my credentials as I'm not sureabout the details I gathered. I read the requirements for NCLEX-RN Exam and wasthinking to submit my application to BON and CGFNS for credential evaluation.

But now , I doubt that Texas BON would ever accept my application andevaluation results since I will not be eligible for the exam until I completethe nursing program.

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according to the link since the op has not passed the nclex with in 4 years, they need to repeat the nursing program , a two year program would be the quickest.[/quote']

"RNdiploma programs, which take 2-3 years to complete, are generally offeredthrough hospitals.Graduatesof RN diploma programs may decide to continue their education toward a Bachelor of Science inNursing(BSN)".

This is what I came across on this website: RN Diploma, Certification and Certificate Program Information.

I think they only allow 2 year program graduates like LPN or CNA's for RN licensure exam if they take additional credits and certifications.

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I believe a 2 year ASN in the state of Texas will allow you to get a RN License in the state of Texas. You could also apply to a college and see how much credit towards a BSN at a Texas College or university you can get. The min amount of time will be two years.

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Im also a bsn grad in the philippines..Does anyone know where can I take a refresher course (what schools will allow me to enroll) to be able to be eligible to take nclex rn in tx? Im from carson, ca.

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