This is a discussion on Denied RN license by the Board of Registered Nurses in Califo

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · May 5, 2013

when you got your BSN ,I am wondering if you did the rn to BSN program,if you did you still did meet the basic requirements for CA since it did not have the clinicals for the basic education. I am guessing you got caught in the concurrency rule.

steppybay · May 5, 2013

While I'm not from a European country, rather from the Phillipines, I can somewhat understand your frustrations with the CA BON, as many PH grads and nurses (tp put it at a few thousand applicants minimum) that obtained our BSN overseas and especially from the 2004 year to at least 2012, have been denied either the ATT or endorsements into CA. At the end of the day, we must meet CA's strict requirements, we're in their territory and must adhere to such regulations.

Since CA does their own evaluations, they do not have to use or will not usually use another agencies review.

I would have the Univ. of Phoenix assist in your pursuit by filing an "appeal" of the CA BON decision. You paid them good money and they should help you present your case. You have one chance to redeem yourself, but know that you must present a very strong and convincing case to get an approval. It's now all or none, do or die.

As mentioned, if UofP did not meet the concurrency rule (should that be one of the denial reasons), then, there's very little chance of getting the endorsement, this is problem with UofP, not the CA BON fault, as then UofP did not do it in the proper manner. I think there might be a difference in the No CAL and So CAL UofP programs, so I've heard, I don't know why, but heard from a friend. Even the list from the CA BON shows only one of the UofP is approved.

With regards to others from your country with the same exact curriculums, it's possible it's all in the timing of when the CA BON started to enforce and when your other country people got their CA license, if earlier, then they were safe, for later applicants, it's too late. Those of us from the Phils, there was a cut-off time of about Nov. 2011, whereby those applying after that date, are going to be denied. Were those getting the RN license for the "same like for like licenses" when you spoke of they had less education or skills, maybe becoming an LVN, then bridged to RN's programs? Again, it also maybe in the timing prior to the more strict evaluations and what was the difference in years?

It's not discrimination at all, since the CA BON is merely enforcing in our case, a written policy that has been established since 1952. Since obtaining a license is a privilege and not a right, the rules and regulations can be adjusted to current market and job situations.

With the current high unemployment rate of CA nurses and new grad nurses, there's no incentive for the CA BON to accomodate the international nurses even if one has a US license and been practicing for a decade or more, as everything will always boil down to each applicant's original college and educational background, always. There's NO nursing shortage, other than experienced ones and even those are having problems getting jobs, due to budget cuts, staffing ratios, etc. You can read of those in the CA forum trying to find a job that needs years of experience and they do, but still unable to get an offer.

I know that in FL, one can have too many hours of class time and get denied, again, I don't know the reason why, but it's their requirement and whether it seems unclear or dumb, it is what it is and just have to deal with it. You can't put a square block into a round hole because it doesn't conform and it's there for some reason.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · May 6, 2013

University of Phoenix is for RNs or LPNS and is not for initial licensing. "The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*, is a program designed to develop the professional knowledge and skills of registered nurses. The curriculum builds on a foundation of biological, physical, and social sciences, which contribute to the science of nursing. The liberal arts components enhance the development of the intellectual, social, and cultural aspects of the professional nurse."

Some one gave this person bad advice. The board in CA is questioning their basic nursing education getting a BSN did not fulfill this requirement/.

dexapn · May 6, 2013

hi gingers mom..correct me if im wrong so meaning the OP should have then enroll RN program and not the BSN?Im worried because Im looking for a school to complete my deficiencies,and what if after all d schooling I might encounter the same prob.with the OP.:unsure:need some advice..tnx.

helpgod · May 6, 2013

Thank you so much for your response. I am slightly confused that after a comprehensive evaluation of my transcript and academic program curriculum from two medical schools with over seven years of nursing education it was determined by the BRN that the programs completed in Serbia did not meet minimum education requirements. Who knows the minimum educational requirements from BRN in order to get RN license in California? In addition, the evaluator advised me to enroll RN-BSN program in order to meet the Californian requirements.

I completed a Bachelor of Science in nursing program at the University of Phoenix and that academic facility accepted course work from the programs in Serbia to meet their requirements. Why BRN put that school in the list?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · May 6, 2013

I am guessing you evaluator meant a basic RN BSN which would include nursing fundamentals, Intro to Nursing, A&P etc. My understanding is that you completed the RN to BSN program, I don't see the generic BSN listed at UoP only, lpn to bsn or RN to BSN.

If you have a letter from the CA BON that UoP meets your situation I would ask for a review. All the other candidates who didn't have the right education, where told they had to attend a CA BON approved program for international nurses. The issue is that programs for international nurses are hard to come by.

Your situation is very complex, but there are US Nurses who attended US schools like excelsior who have a BSN and can not get a CA License since their basic training did not meet CA Standards. I think you are in a similar situation.

helpgod · May 7, 2013

I really appreciate your post and thank you for very insightful points. When I got letter that I did not meet the board's requirements, the evaluator stated:"You should contact local schools, they will evaluate my previous education and enroll me in appropriate program. She also stated that in order to become eligible for an RN license in California I should contact one of local schools and the school will advise of any credit that can be given for my previous education and what additional training is needed. One of options regarding my program was RN-BSN program”. One of the schools on the list was University of Phoenix. UOP accepted course work from the programs in Serbia to meet their requirements. I was not required to re-take any of the basic nursing courses: medical-surgical, geriatrics, psychiatric-mental health nursing, obstetrics and pediatrics but BRN needs that courses. Why BRN put that school in the list?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · May 7, 2013

Unfortunately the only "approved" U o P programs in CA is the LPN to RN or RN to BSN programs. It sounds like U o P did not understand your needs and the Board did not spell them out either which left you in a mess. What the CA Board of Nursing should have said, you need to enroll in a BASIC nursing program ( one where no credit is even for a LPN or RN) and then let them evaluate you for advanced standing.

That being said, I think the CA Board was not clear, you checked for an approved program and enrolled and completed. If you are a CA resident, I would call you local rep and ask them to mediate this issue. You followed the Board's direction and now they won't allow you to practice. I think you need you governmental rep to step in, if you are not living in CA I would say I would try to appeal since you did follow their directions which they were not clear on.

PS, the only U o P program in CA is in Modesto CA, if you went online, you are out of luck.