transferring NY RN license to CA license..

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can help me to put my anxiety at ease on figuring out

what I need in transferring RN license to CA license.

Basically, I graduated nursing program in California, planned to move to NY, took and passed RN license exam for NY, but wasn't able to work for about a year due to personal reasons, and now planning to start again in CA.

I guess I want to know if I'll run into some kind of problem because I graduated school in CA but took RN exam in NY.

Also, I'm worried because it's been a year since I haven't had chance to build experience at the hospital after graduation. I don't know if I should take the exam again in CA, but I'm worried the process will be complicated since I graduated a year ago.

I'm sorry for writing a post so unorganized.

But if anyone can answer any question of mine, I will be so grateful.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If you passed the NCLEX once, you shouldn't have to take the NCLEX again. In fact, since you graduated from a CA nursing school, it should be easy for you to get your NY license endorsed here, since your CA nursing program (probably) met the CA BRN educational requirements. It's the educational requirements that trips up a lot of endorsees, especially the international ones.

To learn what you need to do to endorse your license:

Board of Registered Nursing - Licensure by Endorsement

Also, call/write the CA BRN if you have questions. They are pretty good at responding.

Good luck.

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thank you!

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Hi, I stumbled upon your post and I'm currently having a similar issue. I recently obtained a NYS RN license and I want to move to CA to work. It's really difficult to find a job here in NY especially as a new grad or an RN with no healthcare background (not that it will be easier in CA) but I really do want to consider CA. Are you currently in the process of endorsing your CA license? Do you know if hospitals will even consider you if you don't have a CA license yet? (I don't want to obtain a license in CA yet if I'm not being offered a position). What are some hospitals in the los angeles, CA area that will accept you even if you don't have any healthcare background?

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What are some hospitals in the los angeles, CA area that will accept you even if you don't have any healthcare background?

Not many, if any. In the LA area, you are going to be competing against A LOT of new grads and semi-new grads (the ones that have less than a year of non-acute care experience.)

Do join the fray though and apply up and down the coast to up your chances.

Good luck!

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Not many, if any. In the LA area, you are going to be competing against A LOT of new grads and semi-new grads (the ones that have less than a year of non-acute care experience.)

Do join the fray though and apply up and down the coast to up your chances.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! What are some hospitals around in the West Coast Area? I know I should just google it but I thought asking about it from someone's perspective would be helpful too.

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In my experience they didn't even look at my applications until I obtained a CA license. The endorsment process took about a month. Since neither of you worked you are basically competing with every other new grad, which as I'm sure you've noticed from posts, is a bleak job outlook. People think that it's only hard to get jobs in SoCal and NorCal, but the Central Valley is just as bad. It is the WHOLE state. Small country towns and large cities, it doesn't matter. Hospital, clinics, LTC, Home Health, Etc. It's hard regardless of the location. I suggest you get a job in a fly over state and get 1+ year acute experience before you move to CA. Best of luck to you both.

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Are you currently working in CA now? How long did it take you to find a job? Yeah I do understand that I'll have to compete with every new grads out there for a job.. sigh. It's just like that here where I am. I don't want to wait a whole year without having a job because that's just a real bummer .. What other good states do you recommend?

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Yes I'm currently working in CA (started yesterday). It took me 9 months to get a job. I came from Oklahoma where the jobs are plentiful. Everyone in my graduating class had a job before they graduated and took the NCLEX.

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Were you a new grad as well when you applied? Did you have any other nursing experience prior to applying? What hospital are you in now (if you don't mind answering, if not I'd understand)? Yeah I know a few of my classmates got jobs prior to graduation also because they did externships as well.

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Yes I was a new grad. Yes I had previous experience as an extern as well as a temporary 8 week assignment as an RN. I also have a BSBA in marketing. I am at a large hospital in Fresno.

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I see. Thank you for your response!

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