California Board of Nursing

Answers to common questions that population ask the California Board of Nursing:

1. How do I become a Registered Nurse (Rn) in California?

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If you are terminated with high school, click here to apply for nursing schools in your area:

Approved Schools: California Board Of Nursing

If you are still in high school, you can begin preparation now! A nursing school diploma is important for the occupation, of course, but you can also take the following courses in high school to get a head start:

- 4 school years of English

- 3 to 4 years of Math, and that must include Algebra and Geometry

- 3 to 4 years of social Studies

- 2 to 4 years of Science, and that must include Biology and Chemistry

- 2 years of a foreign language is also recommended

If you do not take all of these courses or miss out on a few years of a required subject, you can still make up for it in college. But remember, the sooner you discontinue your prerequisites, the sooner you become a Registered Nurse. It is best to get as much done in high school as possible.

Make sure that you determined and completely investigate the type of nursing school you want to attend. In the state of California, you have the following five instruction options:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (Adn): This takes 2 to 3 years and prepares you to furnish Rn care in numerous settings. Most society colleges will be able to offer you an Adn.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Bsn): This will take you 4 years to complete. You can get this degree at many California State Universities as well as hidden colleges. This will not only get ready you to furnish Rn care, but will also allow you to move up to administrative and leadership positions.

• Masters Entry Level agenda in Nursing: This is a masters agenda designed for those who have already earned their baccalaureate degree in someone else field and now want to become Registered Nurses. It takes 1 to 2 years to ultimately graduate, depending on how many nursing prerequisites the person has already taken.

• Lvn 30 Unit Option: This alternative is not a degree program, but instead a nursing work ladder. It is designed for Licensed Vocational Nurses (Lvns) who wish to become Rns. It takes 18-24 months to complete. Even though this agenda is legitimate for becoming an Rn in California, most other states do not identify the California Lvn 30 Unit choice as valid. If you are a Lvn and want to collect a degree and a Rn license in someone else state, you will probably need to unblemished the Adn program. Adn programs do give prestige for some of the coursework completed to become an Lvn.

• Military Corpsmen: A forces corpsman may receive a Rn license if he or she has completed Rn level instruction and has clinical experience. The state of California permits corpsmen to take the national Rn exam.

A list of California nursing schools is available at the link at the beginning of this article. Apply to manifold schools, since sometimes space is minute at definite colleges. Give yourself plenty of options to pick from, and apply early. Be sure and find out what the application deadline is and what entry exams are required at each school. Many nursing schools require the Sat, the Act, and the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam. Furthermore, apply for financial aid! There are tons of scholarships and loan programs out there for students.

To ultimately become a Registered Nurse in the state of California, you must get your license from the California State Board of Registered Nursing (Brn). These are the requirements:

1. Complete the application! The whole application package along with detailed instructions is available on the Brn website at [http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/lic-exam.htm]. If you are unable to unblemished an online application, you can simply palpate the Brn and they will send you a paper copy. But don’t waste any time! You need to send your application to the Brn at least 6 to 8 weeks before graduation.

2. Make sure that your school sends the Brn your educational transcripts.

3. Complete a fingerprint background check.

4. You may apply for an Interim Permit only if you wish to work in a supervised nursing capacity while still awaiting your application process.

5. Take (and pass) the National Council Licensing test at the following website: https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm. The whole exam is online and is available to take at any time, 6 days a week. If you are a new graduate, take this exam immediately after graduation! Early test takers have higher success rates because the data is still fresh in their minds.

2. Why do you ask for fingerprints?

The fingerprint requirement gives the state of California a way to do a background check on you.

If you reside in California, you are required to use Live Scan to submit your fingerprints (unless you have obtained an exemption). To find a Live Scan location near you, go to this web page: http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm

If you do not reside in California, you may use whether Live Scan forms or Fingerprint Card forms. You can request whether of these forms at this web page: [https://app.dca.ca.gov/rn/requests.htm]

For more data on what the Fingerprint Requirement is all about, go to http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints

3. How can I inquire as to the status of my application?

After you have submitted your application, wait 4 to 6 weeks before genuinely contacting the Board. Lots of inquiries cause delays in the application process.

4. What is the National Council Licensure test (Nclex-Rn)?

This exam comes from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (Ncsbn). It is a Computerized Adaptive Test (Cat) designed to test whether or not one has the important knowledge, skills, and abilities to practice safe, effective nursing at the entry level. For more information, visit the following websites: http://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm or http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex

5. After submission of my application, how long does it take to receive my eligibility to take the examination?

If the Board has received all the data required for approval, you can expect your eligibility letter in the mail within a duration of 4 to 6 weeks. Prior law convictions and a failure to submit all of the required documents on time will delay the process.

6. Where can I take the Nclex-Rn?

The National Council Licensing test can be taken at any Pearson professional center in the U.S.A. Or its territories. International testing centers are also available in Canada, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, and Taiwan. Visit the Pearson Vue website at http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex to find exact test center information.

7. How much does it cost to register for the Nclex-Rn?

The test fee is 0. If you need to take the Nclex-Rn at an international test center, you will need to pay an supplementary scheduling fee of 0 plus a Value Added Tax (Vat) where applicable.

8. I have registered to take the examination. When will I receive my Authorization To Test (Att)?

After you the Board determines that you are eligible to test, you will receive your Att by mail or e-mail from Pearson Vue (the assosication that provides test administration and services test development). You cannot agenda to take the Nclex-Rn without your Authorization To Test. You must present your Att along with accepted Id at the testing center in order to take the test.

California Board of Nursing