State Licensure

[dovmi88]

i have a quick question regarding state licensure. i will be going to nursing school in florida (either fgcu or uf) but don't necessarily want to live/work here when i'm done. i've lived here for around 20 years and to be honest with you, i just want a change in scenery. can i finish school here in florida, then, after i take and pass the nclex, go to california and take their state licensure test instead of florida's'? sorry if this is a somewhat obvious or redundant question, but i'm oblivious to how the whole licensure process works.

thanks in advance,

jimmie

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

You can apply for and take the NCLEX in any state after you graduate. All you have to do is go on the website of the state board of nursing for their state (do this several months ahead of graduation) and follow the directions for a first time NCLEX taker. You will have several things that your school of nursing will need to do for you.

California has an interim permitee status. That means that once you apply to take the NCLEX and have received permission you can work as a graduate nurse under the supervision of another RN. You can read about this on the California BON website. You can link into it from allnurses. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will find a weblink to the Boards of Nursing.