Soon to be Foreign Graduate (born US citizen) moving back to CA

[Lilmissmayshine]

I'm not even sure this even goes here, but here goes....

I am a 3rd year transferee Nursing Student in an International Nursing Program in the Philippines who is graduating April 2013. Before someone posts making demeaning comments about how it was my choice to study in the Philippines - it absolutely was and I don't regret anything for a second. I was already on numerous wait lists for almost 2 years before I was told that I could be waiting another 2. In fact, had I waited, I would have just started an ADN program this Fall 2012. I could have not experienced all the great and exciting things that happened had I been in the states. My friends back in Cali think it's so cool that I've actually delivered a baby, all while they could do was stand back and observe.

I do plan on moving back to California after graduation. I do realize there is a big chance that my application to sit for the NCLEX will be denied so I have proceeded to look for other options towards my future.

Upon returning, I will get re-certified as a CNA/CHHA in the state of CA as well as re-certifying for Administrator of a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly. I held both positions before I left the U.S to study abroad. If possible, I will also try and re-certify for my surgical technologist certification as well.

All that being said, since I will be unable to sit for the NCLEX in CA, I would like to finish my Master's degree. I get that I would have to have an RN to proceed for MSN, but my question is would it be possible to enter the Entry Level MSN course? Yes, I'll have a BSN, but it's a foreign degree and this just seems to me, one way of fulfilling my deficiency to sit for the NCLEX and getting a Masters. This would more than likely mean that I would be taking all of the Nursing core classes over again, but, in all honesty don't mind at all. Would the schools still recognize that as a Bachelor's and let me apply to the ELMSN program as opposed to having an RN license already for the other MSN programs?

If anyone could help, that would be great! Thanks!

[steppybay]

Guys, maybe this will help you out, this is from lasvegas77 here and posted the following from May 26:

"international grads are basically just an RN when they pass the NCLEX here in NV, if you're looking to take masteral classes, you gotta have a BSN from a US accredited institution (based on nurses experience -- i come from a long family of PI educated nurses). thinking of the same, would love to specialize on psych nursing but i'm still far from there..working on my reviews for my NCLEX RN"

Hope this helps, good luck and keep us posted on your adventures!

[roxygal_18]

hi was planning to get an MSN here in CA too for it could be the last option of being able to sit for NCLEX-CA however i'm not sure if they will allow that. Anyways was doing some research and saw this from UCLAs admission requirement. Hope it helps!

1. International applicants who are not licensed as registered nurses in the U.S. must achieve a passing score on both English and Nursing sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.
   

[steppybay]

hi was planning to get an MSN here in CA too for it could be the last option of being able to sit for NCLEX-CA however i'm not sure if they will allow that. Anyways was doing some research and saw this from UCLAs admission requirement. Hope it helps!

1. International applicants who are not licensed as registered nurses in the U.S. must achieve a passing score on both English and Nursing sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.
   

Today, my other friend also denied in Cali (concurrency) looked into this last week and told me about the MECN program there. She was worried about the minimum prerequisite courses needed in both the chemistry and biochemistry studies and grades prior to admission.

She knows the scores of the TOEFL has to be 87 or higher and or the IELTS has to be a 7.0 or higher overall band rating, wow. These must be done before they even look at the application or for admission.

She was told the Master's program is like more than a full time job and requires some pretty hard dedication to not only the actual studies with the books but lots of written essays and detailed reports on your clinical experiences.

I think I write OK average myself, but not good enough to put into a Master's thesis or analytical evaluation format.

[steppybay]

With regards to getting an ATT in CA, yes, it's possible AFTER completing the Master's program and graduate, but it's not known if the CA BON will allow the BSN with any known concurrency issue from the transcripts to be approved. UCLA does not guarantee obtaining their MSN degree will further one's chance to be eligible for the CA requirements if one's BSN is seen as deficient, that's not UCLA's concern.

The CGFNS may approve the transcripts for UCLA's purposes, but it's no guarantee that the CA BON will look at that, since they do their own evaluations.

So much uncertainty to get accepted, pay the cost, burn another year or two and then find out it's back to square one would be so upsetting.

She asked about the acceptance numbers, they get applications from all over the country, from all over the world and those with the most impressive credentials, with the best and stronger letters of recommendations and with high grade scores are mostly considered, but there's limited amount of seats.

She didn't ask about tuition, but probably very $$$.

[steppybay]

TO Lilmissmaysunshine: you may be "safe" from the wrath of the CA BON since supposely the CHED has already adjusted the curriculum to meet the CA BON and most other States concurrency ruling.

Just make sure that you are actually taking and doing your clinicals and the theory courses together and in the same exact semester, not a month or two or a year later.

Make sure that the CEHD didn't reduce the minimum hours for both the clinical and theory courses to meet the changing curriculums.

The minimum hours required are posted somewhere on the CA BON website, BUT make your dean adheres to that, ask to see the CA BON minimum standards and how they (and your school) are constantly checking the hours and cases etc and keeping all your records straight as an arrow.

Ask for the breakdown to see the actual comparison yourself, do NOT just take their words, insist, insist, insist.

Be careful if they tell you you will "have way more than enough hours" (to compensate for the cases or whatever), there have been a few PH posters who reported they were denied for having "excessive hours", which means the school didn't need to make one take extra time or courses for no good reason at all.

You are in control of the ship now, make sure you're the captain and are steering yourself on the proper course, you have the time now or else, the ship is going to hit a reef or sand bar and either crash and crack up or get stuck.

[styx876]

Hi to all. I'm a US Citizen and planning to go back to PH to finish nursing school. I'm new here and have been reading the forums regarding concurrency issue. Do you guys have any recent updates as far as submission of their NCLEX-CA application? How recent was the update of CHED's curriculum to meet the CA BON and other states? Thank you everyone for your valuable feedback!