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?

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

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 .

CA hasn't been easy now for a few years for IEN's

If you move your main residence from one state to another regardless on being in a compact state you have to still endorse your license and for IEN this usually means meeting same requirements minus English exam sometimes as if applying as initial applicant.

We have has several members post that they tried to endorse to CA from another state and was still affected by the issues that affect initial applicants like concurrency and was denied

I believe a Texan license can be used equally in California .

No, it can't. CA is not a signatory of the NLC. The only exception is Federal facilities; because they are not licensed or regulated by individual states, the state rules don't apply. The Federal government only requires that an individual be licensed in a US state, not necessarily the state in which the facility is located.

Specializes in PACU.

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

CA is far from friendly to all foreign grads. Just ask any of the nurses from the Phillipines trying to endorse to CA and being turned away. CA has become very strict.

I agree CA is tough I'd suggest u apply through TX n later endorse to CA.

It can take u 4 months to have your license through them.

Texas board of nursing is so friendly .

And faster in processing .

But research b4 making-up your mind.

Does anyone know ANY foreign nurses getting accepted into California in the past few years?

Also, is it important that I get a BSN or would an RN be accepted just the same to work in the USA (say Texas or NY)?

I want to later complete an RN-to-BSN program in the USA so I qualify for various US masters programs that only accept accredited BSNs within the USA.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I agree CA is tough I'd suggest u apply through TX n later endorse to CA.

It can take u 4 months to have your license through them.

Texas board of nursing is so friendly .

And faster in processing .

But research b4 making-up your mind.

You must meet the same requirements for CA whether you are licensed by application or endorsement. It's a waste of time and money to apply to a state BoN that you have no intention to live or work in. If your intent is to work in CA you will have just wasted 4+ months plus licensing and background check fees to TX. Fees that will be duplicated when applying to CA for endorsement.

I somehow disagree endorsement is cheaper and if that's the best way to get a license being foreign trained I don't c y not.

It's up to you ,there is lots of info with folks out there but choose the best.

I know how u feel ,trust me I do.

Was once in your situation .

hey do you know if The Nairobi Hospital Cicely McDonel Nursing program is better or should I go to KMTC for my RN? Cicely is smaller so I thought that might be better for learning. But maybe KMTC has better facilities since its largest? Why did you leave KMTC? What do you mean you upgraded?

Were the members all from the Phillippines? I know the Phillippine nursing schools have concurrency problems. But is this occurring with other schools as well?

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Were the members all from the Phillippines? I know the Phillippine nursing schools have concurrency problems. But is this occurring with other schools as well?

This has occurred with members from different countries as well

KMTC offered RN but Diploma..had to upgrade to BSN at Kenya Methodist University.

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