What Degree?????

Haunted,

I didnt have any problems when I transfered my license from WA to TN; but when I originally transfered from LA to WA...oh man...what a headache. Hang in there, eventually they will get it straight, just keep hounding them and eventually they'll get sick of you calling. At least thats what happened to me and the WA board. They even knew my voice by the time it was all over!

TN was my original state of licensure and I practiced there for 10 years. I found the staff at the board to be quite "limited" and at times it seemed as if they went out of their way to be unhelpful. Time and persistance... I wish I had better advise to offer.

Just to top this nightmare off... I am a registered nurse from California (still maintain my license there) and have moved to Nashville Tennessee with my husband. We got here in December and I submitted my application to the Tenn. BRN in January. I spent almost 600 bucks in fees, waivers and submitted my finger prints, pictures and transcripts from my nursing school.

Here we are riding out March and I have not received my permit, which I paid extra for or any word from this Board. Today I called and asked to speak to a supervisor to find out what the hold up was. I was told that they respectfully declined my application because I did not present them with a diploma or documentation of graduation from an accredited nursing program.

The woman I spoke with also stated that "California holds lower standards than we do for who can take the boards". HUH???? I had to complete years of pre reqs to even get into the nursing program. I didn't go thru the graduation ceremony at my school because I was working. It has been 10 years since I originally took my boards and have completed some course work in nursing but never needed a degree. Where do I go from here? All I need is an Associates Degree in Nursing from California. I'm stunned. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Are you a 30 unit obtion RN, or do you have a degree or diploma? I am a bit confused about your status from reading your post. I gather that you are an RN though. Can you call your school and get transcripts?

Not the 30 unit option. I completed 40 units of nursing and it appears from my nursing school transcript that I am 0.1 unit short of the associates degree. It was suggested prior to my completion of nursing school that I needed a computer class, which I completed last year thru UC Riverside extension (it was an online forensic nurse course I was told would cover it) and have never needed a diploma of any kind to work.

I have a call in to the Dean of my nursing school, this is her job to figure out, tell me what classes I am deficient in and I will take them, just issue me a damn diploma or something!!!!! I need to get back to work. I'm just frustrated.

What a mess. Somehow, through oversight or a loophole, you were allowed to sit for the NCLEX-RN--which was the first problem. If I'm understanding what caliotter is saying, in California you passed enough nursing credits to be allowed to sit for the exam, even though you hadn't graduated from school...? Then that WOULD be a problem anywhere else!

Yikes. If TN law allows only for those with a degree or diploma to have a TN RN endorsement then yes, it looks like you'd need to get that last credit completed on your degree before getting that endorsement.

I'm so sorry this has happened; guess it goes to show us all that just because we're allowed to do something today, doesn't mean it's in our best interest to do it. I hope this can get resolved in your favor soon.

Just to top this nightmare off... I am a registered nurse from California (still maintain my license there) and have moved to Nashville Tennessee with my husband. We got here in December and I submitted my application to the Tenn. BRN in January. I spent almost 600 bucks in fees, waivers and submitted my finger prints, pictures and transcripts from my nursing school.

Here we are riding out March and I have not received my permit, which I paid extra for or any word from this Board. Today I called and asked to speak to a supervisor to find out what the hold up was. I was told that they respectfully declined my application because I did not present them with a diploma or documentation of graduation from an accredited nursing program.

The woman I spoke with also stated that "California holds lower standards than we do for who can take the boards". HUH???? I had to complete years of pre reqs to even get into the nursing program. I didn't go thru the graduation ceremony at my school because I was working. It has been 10 years since I originally took my boards and have completed some course work in nursing but never needed a degree. Where do I go from here? All I need is an Associates Degree in Nursing from California. I'm stunned. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I wonder if the error was made in TN and not CA. I find hard to believe that as an RN anywhere in this country you'd have a problem applying for licensure via endorsement. I hope everything works out for you, and soon!

You may need to get the rest of your units from an accredited college to receive your degree. Check with one in your area. Have your transcripts transferred to the college and make sure you talk with the nursing advisor to get the right classes.

I am surprised that you can be licensed as an RN in California without all your academic ducks in a row. They will not license graduates from my school, and we have an award winning (by the NLN) program. Oh, well.

My sister just moved here to Texas--she was a massage therapist part time (almost more of an avocation or hobby for her) in California. She took two classes, presented her passing grade to a spa (or something similar) and went to work! She's good, there's no doubt about that (at least in my mind). But in Texas, you complete a full training program, pass a certification or licensing exam (including practical/demonstration of skills) and then you get a license and then you can be a massage therapist.

So the licensing criteria are looser for more than just nurses, apparently.

OK, in answer to the issue at hand, it's frustrating, it's upsetting, and certainly someone should have called the OP long before this, but if you don't meet the requirements for licensure, you should not be licensed. See if there is a CLEP course you can take, hopefully your former school will confer the degree. If not, it's a shame, but it doesn't look hopeful unless you complete a degree somewhere, somehow.

My sympathies. I hate it when life is not fair.

It's goofy. I never had a board of nursing super say "we regret to inform you...." What am I gonna do, forget the last 10 years of my life and find a new job? I don't take it well when someone tells me "NO" . And isn't the RN shortage here as well? I guess they must of heard about me pulling my "Norma Rae" in California. I worked really hard to get patient ratios and standards of care implemented there. Here, I just want to work a couple of shifts a week. I am gathering all my college transcripts in a last ditch effort.

Wish me luck, and a good nites sleep. Living downtown for now has been truly eye opening! As I write this there is a biker gang whooping it up outside my apartment as Printers Alley closes down, varoom varoom!!!!