US Citizen with Kenyan RN, transfer license to CA?

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Hi I am a CA, USA resident. I am traveling in Nairobi Kenya and want to complete my RN degree here and transfer back to CA to work there in the future.

I am a US citizen so I am assuming the process will be much easier than a non US citizen. Can someone guide me on how to work in CA with a Kenyan RN and US citizen status?

What are the challenges of doing this?

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Am from the same place with Kenyan RN now practicing in Texas.

Am not sure if the process is the same .

Will be glad to help u.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

You will need to meet regulations for internationally educated nurses, only easier part is that you have a social security number.

[h=3]Required Prerequisites for Registered Nurse Examination and Endorsement Applicants:[/h] California Code of Regulations Section 1426, identifies the prerequisite courses required in addition to a nursing program:

  • Communication skills, six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter units shall include principals of
    • Oral communication
    • Written communication
    • Group communication

    [*]Related natural sciences, sixteen (16) semester or twenty-four (24) quarter units shall include:

    • Anatomy with lab
    • Physiology with lab
    • Microbiology with lab
    • Behavioral sciences (Psychology)
    • Social sciences

Additionally, classes and clinical's must be taken CONCURRENTLY.

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Yes please could you answer a few questions?

Can I transfer to the states without any experience or should I get some experience, and how much, before transferring?

When did you start your RN license transfer to Texas, and how long did it take? What were each part of the process exactly?

Did your education transfer completely or did you need to take additional classes? Which classes?

Which nursing school in Kenya did you attend?

How are you treated as a foreign educated nurse? Is your pay the same?

Did you come to USA with an agency or did you apply to jobs on your own? Was is difficult to find a job? How much experience did you have when applying?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You cannot transfer a license between countries. In the U.S. you apply for a nursing license by examination as an internationally educated nurse then follow the state board of nursing procedure for educational credential evaluation. CABRN does their own.

It is always recommended to obtain your nursing education where you wish to live and work as a nurse. If you want to work in Kenya, go to school in Kenya. If you want to live & work in Canada you go to school in Canada.

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Yes u can transfer without experience but u must have your practicing license , then apply for NCLEX to the intended state in your case CA.

The whole process will take 6 months at most till the time u get your ATT.

I had 3.5 years of experience so no extra classes was needed .

I started off at KMTC and upgraded at Kenya Methodist University.

I came to the states via Green-card.

Am now practicing in Texas and I must say it's better if not best ..the working condition, workmates and obvious pay.Av never been discriminated all u need to do is give it your best.Remember nursing is universal procedures are the same .

Go to the site and read more on it and u don't need to take TOEFL .

The education was provided in English .

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Thanks for the replies thus far.

I am hoping a Kenyan or other African educated nurse who has applied for and successfuly acquired a nursing license in CA can advise me on the possibility that I could, as a US citizen, attend nursing school in Nairobi, and then acquire a nursing license to work in CA, USA.

I also am hoping to get info from someone who has done so in the past 2 years, for up to date info.

Other international nurses who successfully received their license abroad and then was accepted to work in CA, USA, in the past 2 years, your advice is also appreciated.

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What year did you apply to work in Texas?

Did you have your bachelors of nursing or just an RN license? Does it matter which you have when applying to work in USA?

Did you apply to other states and get rejected, or just Texas and get accepted?

Thank you

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Thanks for the replies thus far.

I am hoping a Kenyan or other African educated nurse who has applied for and successfuly acquired a nursing license in CA can advise me on the possibility that I could, as a US citizen, attend nursing school in Nairobi, and then acquire a nursing license to work in CA, USA.

I also am hoping to get info from someone who has done so in the past 2 years, for up to date info.

Other international nurses who successfully received their license abroad and then was accepted to work in CA, USA, in the past 2 years, your advice is also appreciated.

One doesn't have to be an African educated nurse to answer your question. It's very simple to understand: If you wish to practice in the USA you must pass NCLEX-RN in the USA. You cannot "transfer" your foreign nursing degree or license without passing the American accredited examination(NCLEX-RN).

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I have heard that CA has stricter rules on equivalencies of education, especially as of the last year or so, so even if I took NCLEX, my education at The Nairobi Hospital may not be accepted by the CA BON. Is there a way to verify a specific nursing school's education is equivalent to what the CA BON requires of foreign nurses?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Only way really to find out is contact the BRN

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This my journey through the whole process...

I started the process last year May ...my credentials were evaluated by IERF I opted for them coz 1,they r cheap and 2,faster compared to the famous CGFNS .At the same time did send my application for NCLEX -examination to Texas board of nursing .

By end early July IERF was through with evaluation n forwarded their review to Texas board of nursing .

I took my jurisprudence exam later paid for the exam (through Pearson Vue )

Got my ATT and took my exam and passed the first time.

Took my NCLEX exam 2014 October 20th

Am RN - BSN

I wanna point my challenges.

Getting things rolling in Kenya and sending someone to the Nursing Council of Kenya .

I had 3 options / 3 states that i consider friendly to foreign trained nurses .Texas, California & NY .

Texas is the fastest i reassure u.U can get your license in one state n endorse to the other n some u don't need if I does belong to one of the compact states. U just use the license in compact states with out transferring .I believe a Texan license can be used equally in California .

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