Why is CA BRN too picky?

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Hi There California folks! My name is Angie and I am a NV resident who will be moving to CA before the summer to live with my fiancee who is stationed in San Diego. I contacted your board of nursing and they are just impossible to work with. Here is a little background on me, I am an Excelsior student who is currently a LPN working in a sub acute unit. I am aware that the CA BRN has problems with the Excelsior program because they do not offer any clinicals. Well I can assure you that my clinical rotation for LPN school exceeds that of both of your LVN and RN requirements. I know what is lacking in my clinical rotations is what ever you are allowed to do as a RN in CA that you are not able to do as a LPN. Well long story short is that I wont be able to endorse my RN license from NV once I get it because CA does not feel my school is not approved. The CA BRN told me that my school does not offer any opportunity for clinicals along with theory simultaneously. But the school does offer clinicals after the theory & CPNE are completed as other states require additional clinicals. But they told me that since it is not offered simultaneously they wont accept my application. What is the difference? I thought clinical experience is clinical experience and it will be completed before graduation. Why is the state board so picky? They allow people who graduated from outside the country sit for the NCLEX. I should know because my family returned to the Philippines and they were able to sit for NCLEX. Anybody an Excelsior graduate who is currently working in CA? Thanks for hearing my ranting, I'm just fumming right now.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I think they stopped accepting excelsior graduates a long time ago. Around 2003? I don't know any excelsior grads since who were able to endorse their license. You would have to probably either repeat the education requirements according to California's rules, or work as an LVN. There are not currently any jobs in California for New RNs anyway.

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I am planning on endorsing my LPN license into CA and I know my program should have no problem being accepted. Regardless whether there are new grad RN positions or not I still want my RN license. I will have it for NV but for CA I wont be able to unless I go back to the Philippines like my relatives and get my BSN there. Thank you Nikki for your comment. I am just venting.

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Specializes in SICU.

It is my understanding that Excelsior is upfront with the fact that several States, not just California do not accept their grads. Anyone going that route needs to understand potential future problems with getting licensed, especially if there is a possibility of moving.

You also need to understand that you can only pass the nclex once. If you continue with excelsior, graduate and pass the nclex and get an RN license you can not do it again. Going to the Philippines and getting a BSN will not change that. Just as after you are licensed as an RN and then get a BSN in the USA will not change it.

You have 2 choices.

1. Continue with your current educational plans, get your RN for NV. Then work as a LPN in California. If your fiancée is then stationed in a State that recognizes excelsior then work as an RN, knowing that if he is stationed in another State that does not recognize them (such as MD) you will have to work again as an LPN.

2. Throw away all the time and expense that you have put into getting your RN. Look for an brick and mortar LPN to RN school and start again.

Neither choice is a good one. Good luck in your future.

Added: I think that some States that do not accept new grad RN's from excelsior will accept them after they have worked in other States. Do not know if California is one of those.

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If you go back to the Philippines and get your BSN there you will be welcomed with open arms by the CA BRN. That is the bottom line in CA.

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Angela, I'm wondering if you've found any further information on this. I am an Excelsior grad working in Maryland, and I now have 3 years experience in Med-Surg/Oncology. I'm possibly getting married and moving to CA later this year, but I'm scared I won't be able to endorse into the state. I did want to point out one thing, which you may already know- the VA Medical Centers will take any state's license, so if you did graduate from Excelsior and were licensed in Nevada, you could work at one of their hospitals or clinics. I agree that the policy sucks, and I wish I knew more. I guess the only way to find out (for me) would be to apply, but that would be at least $150 wasted if they turn me down. Any other thoughts, anyone?

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I too was looking into Excelsior as an option as I'm ******* sick and tired of waiting for the rediculously impacted programs to accept me. I'm currently a LVN here in CA. I wouldn't mind working in a military hospital or the VA hospitals as I do live close to some of them. I heard that VA hospitals love Excelsior graduates. The problem is that becoming licensed in CA is going to always be an issue. I don't always want to have my Oklahoma or Louisiana RN license in CA. I'm going to want the option to be able to gain licensure in CA and not be so limited as to where I can work. I agree with Calliotter, if someone goes to another country to gain their BSN, they will be welcomed back to CA with open arms as CA DOESN'T require:

1. English equivalent exams (unless your course of instruction wasn't in English)

2. Bridge courses for the international nurse

I'm sorry but I truely believe that those two are very important as nursing care is different from country to country. What is accepted in the US may not be accepted in Venezuela. That's just how it is.

Mollypita have you tried to contact the BRN? I shall forwarn you that they are VERY vague regarding the information that they give you as an Excelsior graduate. Since you're from Maryland you must have graduated before they implimented the No Excelsior graduates period after a certain date. You may want to ask the BRN if they're willing to allow you to take a refresher RN course in order to meet their rediculous clinical requirement even though you're already working as a RN. Good Luck and let us know how it works out for you.

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Specializes in ICU, home infusion.

Good luck finding a job in California! I've lived here 35 years, and after being laid off in 2009, I had trouble finding work.

I can't work nights, for one thing.

Another issue is the number of travelers from other states who come here and take jobs.

Also, there are many nurses here from a particular cultural background, and they often work 2 FT jobs or a FT and a PT---more power to them, but it reduces the number of positions available.

Ironically, I had to start traveling myself to get work. I travel within California and get day-shift contracts, but I have to leave my home for weeks on end.

Seriously, if you don't already live here, please don't come.

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Our facility got rid of all of the travelers late 2009. I've had the pleasure of working with Excelsior graduates and they are great nurses. It's too bad that California doesn't have an open mind about nursing education and experience.

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Specializes in ICU, home infusion.
Our facility got rid of all of the travelers late 2009. I've had the pleasure of working with Excelsior graduates and they are great nurses. It's too bad that California doesn't have an open mind about nursing education and experience.

That's quite a generalization. Do you have a particular interest in Excelsior?

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Good luck finding a job in California!

Also, there are many nurses here from a particular cultural background, and they often work 2 FT jobs or a FT and a PT---more power to them, but it reduces the number of positions available.

Seriously, if you don't already live here, please don't come.

When I started working as a CNA I found it difficult to get hired, and I also noticed something about the majority of those in the local nursing employee pool. I once asked a supervisor about the disparity. I had to be in the right place at the right time to get my little nursing assistant job. We used to talk amongst ourselves that people of X, Y, or Z culture could not get a job at all, if there was one member of W culture who wanted a second job, side job, part time job, or a particular job in question. They all had the healthcare field sewn up very tight and would even openly discuss this fact on the job.

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Actually I do have an interest in Excelsior, I would love to go through the program if CA would accept it.

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