Soon to be new grad, moving fr IL to CA...complicated licensure question

U.S.A. California

Published

Hi everyone,

I am in a graduate entry program in IL, completing my last semester of the pre-licensure portion. I am eligible to take the NCLEX this summer. I think my plan is to take the NCLEX and get licensed in IL, and then apply for endorsement in CA. My question is, will CA give me a license even though I do not have a degree in nursing? The complicated part of this is because of this graduate entry program (similar to UCSF's MEPN program and Yale's MEPN program), I have taken all the required education to get licensed, but I won't have any degree in nursing. I do have a B.S. in another field. I really don't have a choice unless I stay in IL for the next 2-3 years to get my Masters and split my family up, because my husband is in the Navy and is getting stationed in San Diego. I would just like to know if I can get licensed in CA if I am licensed in IL already, or if they will look at my education and say "well you don't have a degree, so no dice". I'm just thinking that since CA is familiar with a program like this (since they have it at UCSF and used to have it at USD) that they will be ok with it.

I already tried asking the CA board of nursing... no answer to my calls, no emails back. Any feedback would be helpful!

Thanks :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The CA RN license application, (the last time I looked at it), had a box to check for "non graduate". I would think that you might check that box because that is what fits your situation. Then your school would verify you eligibility, just as they normally would. Definitely, call, write, or email them with this question to find out what they will do in your case. Since others have been in this category in the past, I am sure, they must have a policy in place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just downloaded the application, and it does have a box to check for type of nursing program: Other. It doesn't say anything about non-degree or non-graduate, so I wonder what the UCSF students do when they apply. CA board of nursing is closed for today because of the budget crisis. Fabulous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just looked at both the regular and the endorsement applications and saw that there is no indication for non-graduate on the endorsement application at all. You would check the masters/nursing block and put the date of eligibility in the "graduated" area, I would surmise. On the regular application the nongraduate info states "California nongraduate". Still, they need to make provisions for out of state license holders. I would fill out the application and put the date you became eligible for the boards in the space for graduation date and cross out the word graduation and write in "eligible". But, whoever, you talk to will give you the instructions they want you to follow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is making me nervous.. If only someone would answer the phones at the CA board of nursing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This is making me nervous.. If only someone would answer the phones at the CA board of nursing!

Be careful what you wish for!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Be careful what you wish for!

True! It would just be nice to know. It's hard not knowing when I'm literally trying to plan my life for the next 6 months. Someone in my class was told by the CO board of nursing that they will not allow her to get licensed there, because of the non-degree issue. But CO does not have a non-degree program like CA or IL (or MA for that matter too).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

But it would appear, at least from interpreting what is printed on the CA application form, that CA may limit its special consideration to those who have attended a CA program. There is always a catch somewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess I won't know until Monday or Tuesday or whenever. I am definitely holding out hope. I have been in talks with University of San Diego and may be able to finish my Masters there, so it's not like I won't be in a CA program. Of course to get into that program I need a CA license. Not to be melodramatic, but I have already sacrificed a lot to be where I am and if this doesn't work out then that means separating my family (again) and put off on plans for a house, another baby... I thought this program would help me to achieve evrything I've been working towards. Instead I feel totally screwed over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

See where you are coming from. Best of luck getting through to them and getting a positive answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

FINALLY spoke with CA BRN, and the verdict is that I CAN get licensed in CA as a non-degree RN. I can take the NCLEX here in IL or CA, but the person told me that CA is the only state that will take a non-degree RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment