Want to work in CA, nursing school out of state?

U.S.A. California

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Hello Everyone!

I am a California resident and am currently researching ABSN and ELMN programs to apply to. I recently started looking at schools out of state. I was wondering if getting my degree from another state would affect my chances of getting hired in CA. For instance, will CA employers see me as a more competitive candidate for a job if I were to get my degree from a CA school. I know many RNs are having a hard time finding a job in denser areas of CA making every detail of an applicant important. Also, with so many nursing schools in CA, I feel that employers would be more inclined to hire CA graduates.

Please let me know your thoughts/advice.

Thanks in advance!

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It does not matter where you graduate from.

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would recommend going to schools in CA. that way you can network with the hospitals you're doing your clinicals at.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.
would recommend going to schools in CA. that way you can network with the hospitals you're doing your clinicals at.

I agree with this suggestion -- this is especially true of wherever you do your preceptorship. If they like you and they are hiring new grads, having done your preceptorship at a particular hospital may help you get a job there (not a guarantee by any means, but it helps).

BTW, not sure if new grads having difficulty finding jobs is confined to "denser" areas of CA. My impression is that it's pretty much statewide (I only looked for jobs in the Bay Area myself, but lots of my fellow May '08 grads looked statewide and still had trouble finding a job).

Good luck!

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I too had this question. Would getting an RN license in one state impact my ability to find employment in another state? Is the license state specific? If so, would we have to pass the boards in another state in order to work?

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Sorry I'm new to the whole forum thing so I'm not sure how to "properly" reply to everyone :)

Thanks everyone for your input! I really appreciate it! Kinda a bummer because I'm really not a competitive applicant. I might have to consider going through a traditional 3 (long) year BSN program if I really do need to go to school in CA. Please let me know if you know any ABSN programs in CA that take the last 60 units other than National, Samuel Merritt, and CSUSM!

One more question, aside from being able to network at clinical sites, what if I wanted to work in a different part of CA? For example, if I went to school in southern CA and look for work in northern CA with no previous network ties...would that be any different from going to school out of state?

Kyrshamarks - Ideally I wish it didn't matter where you graduate from. Do you think that can elaborate more?

nursing.mypassion - Thanks!

noahsmama - I'm from the bay area too and I really didn't know it was statewide. I guess I assumed central CA was an easy place for a job.

dedicatedone - I just started thinking about this whole state to state thing as I started looking for schools out of state. Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that you have to pass boards if you want to work in another state.

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Specializes in Corrections, Education, Med/Surg, AGNP-HIV.

No, it does not affect your ability to get a license or job in the state. I went to school in AZ, took the NCLEX in AZ then applied for reciprocity in CA. I hold licenses in both states. As long as you meet the educational requirements for licensure in CA you should be fine. I had to have a sociology class (101) to obtain my license in CA as it is one of their requirements in CA but not in AZ. You also can go to school in another state and apply to take the NCLEX in CA, as long as you meet their requirements.

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Specializes in NICU.

Hello,

I think you shoould first go to the CA BRN and look around to see what are the requirements for your RN and the ability to sit the NCLEX. Other states do not require the same things as CA does and you may need to take a few other classes to be licensed here in the state.

I could be wrong but I always thought if you did not have your ADN obtaining an accelerated BSN was not possible. If it was up to me I would obtain my degree here in CA and not have to worry about anything. I know the classes are impacted regarding entrance, but apply for both BSN and ADN at least you have a double change of getting your degree and progressing on.

Good luck to you

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