RN non- degree programs?

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Question. Does the non- degree RN program stay with you? Say I use that route to get to RN without a degree. Then go to a RN to BSN. Being that I further my education and got a higher degree... would that allow me to work out of California?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Do you mean you graduated from a diploma school? All states permit diploma grads to be licensed. Or am I misunderstanding you?

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Since you mention California, are you talking about the "30-unit option"? That is unique to California and no other state recognizes it (unless that's changed recently, in which case I apologize and am happy to be corrected by someone). Every state in the US bases RN licensure on the nursing program you initially completed that made you eligible for licensure, the program in which you learned "nursing." Nothing else you do educationally after that changes your original status. If your original nursing program doesn't qualify you for licensure, you're not getting a license, even if you've completed a PhD in nursing since then (because none of the other nursing programs you might complete later provide any education in basic nursing knowledge and care). If you are a 30-unit option grad and licensed in CA, you will not be eligible for licensure in any other state (unless, as I said, that's changed recently), and no other nursing program you complete will ever change that. Same as CA won't accept Excelsior graduates, even if they've completed other nursing degrees since then.

My advice would be to think long and hard before going the 30-unit option route.

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Hi meanmaeyjean. No I was talking about the 30'unit option that is only in CA. This program says you can only practice in CA should this be the way you become an RN since you don't get a degree or anything. I think it's just a certificate. But what I was wondering is if I then further my education and get a BSN or MSN afterwards. Does this cancel out the fact that I received the certificate for Nursing and allow me to work outside of CA. Thank you.

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Yes Ellpark. This was my concern. Okay so your answered my question. I don't foresee my leaving CA however I don't want to limit myself. I was just hoping that if I furthered my education it wouldn't matter that I had the 30 unit option. Definitely going to do some more reasearch on some credible schools that can help me get an RN degree instead of the 30 unit option. I just want something that I can do Parttime, that isn't going to have me take out another huge loan( which I already have an 40,000 loan out for my LVN school) and can get me working as an RN sooner than 3 yrs. maybe online? Thank you Elkpark!

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Yes Ellpark. This was my concern. Okay so your answered my question. I don't foresee my leaving CA however I don't want to limit myself.

This is smart. We get people here who are asking about the 30-unit option and when some of us point out that, if you go that route, you can't get licensed or practice in any others state, they say something like, that's okay, I know I'm never going to want to work outside California. My response to that is always things happen. Things that you weren't expecting. I'm currently living and working in the third state I never anticipated living or working in -- until the day that that was the choice that made the most sense for my life. Fortunately, I have no problems getting licensed in other states, and my options for practice are not limited because of a decision I made many years ago based on an assumption that I would never want to leave my original state ... :)

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Totally agree. You just never know where life will take you. Thanks for the advice!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Question. Does the non- degree RN program stay with you? Say I use that route to get to RN without a degree. Then go to a RN to BSN. Being that I further my education and got a higher degree... would that allow me to work out of California?

As long as that non-diploma program meets California's educational requirements for licensure, you can get a CA license without the degree.

Now whether you'd be able to get hired in California without an ADN/BSN/MSN is another question. Most facilities here are BSN (or MSN) strongly preferred, if not BSN required.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Hi meanmaeyjean. No I was talking about the 30'unit option that is only in CA. This program says you can only practice in CA should this be the way you become an RN since you don't get a degree or anything. I think it's just a certificate. But what I was wondering is if I then further my education and get a BSN or MSN afterwards. Does this cancel out the fact that I received the certificate for Nursing and allow me to work outside of CA. Thank you.

Ah, this does change things. This is what happens when one doesn't read all the posts before replying :)

Even with the advanced degrees, it may be a no-go. You don't need a degree to get endorsed into other states, but you do need to have graduated from a nursing program. And from what I understand (I could be wrong), the BONs look at the initial program you took to get licensed and take the NCLEX, and not at whatever other degrees you add on. So getting a BSN/MSN after the fact may not cancel it out and leave you stuck able to work only in CA.

I'm also not a BON.

Even though the CA BRN site says that some 30-unit RNs get an ADN to get licensed in other states, that statement guarantees nothing: other BONs may take a look at you and say, "sorry, you still don't meet our requirements." Then you're SOL. So I'd suggest contacting BONs in some of the states that you might ever consider relocating to--or even pick 5 BONs at random--and ask if they would consider you for licensure if you did things this way. That would give you a more accurate answer than any of us could. I would definitely do this before considering the 30-unit option.

I never ever thought I'd be in CA. Yet here I am. So never say never.

Best of luck.

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That's a great idea Meriwhen! I'll definitely do that. So many schools don't have a LVN to BSN in California that don't cost over 100,000. So my main objective was to try to find a way around that, not so much to take a short cut. I've looked at westcoast but it's way to expensive. Looked at community colleges, but being that im 33 with 3 kids... I don't have 2 yrs to do prerequisites and then another 2 1/2 for the BSNdegree in Nursing. Any school suggestions anyone?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Online University | Online Degree Programs | WGU has prelicensure in california. About $30k for an accredited BSN.
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Okay great! I'll go check that out. Thanks so much Meanmaryjean!!

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