I just received a letter from NCLEX telling me that my application to take the exam cannot be approved because I did not meet the minimum requirements in Med-Surg, and Obstetric nursing. But they didn't specify it... they want me to enroll in accredited schools to make up for deficiencies. I graduated from the Philippines, and passed the NLE there. I am an immigrant here in California. I have submitted all the requirements that they asked. Has anyone encountered the same problem? And if you did, what did you do? All help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 hello @nursewholikesnursing  the same thing just happened to my brother and i we received the same letter about  last month stating that we need to take med surg and obstetrics. attached to the letter was a list of accredited schools in california that we can go to to fufill the requirements. we then sent back a letter and had our school send a letter explaining that we have already completed these classes and eclosed a transcript & course outline. The CBON then replied to us that they re-evaluated our applications and found out that our submitted documentation determined that not all aspects of theory/clinical med surg & obstetrics was met. it has been difficult trying to get in contact with the CBON about what exactly is the problem. please keep your situation updated on here and we will do the same so hopefully we can help eachother out. good luck

 Hi to all! I was dealing with CBON almost for 3 years. Whenever you call them (their web page doesn't have all info that you need) they are VERY RUDE. I have a Russian RN/CCNA diploma + 7 years of experience in ICU.  CA board cut my hours in OB & Psychiatry & sent me back to school. (this identical letter get all whom I know) I found a school but I noticed later that in my diploma I have more hourse than they provide at University. =this system SO rediculous= I didn't have time to take all this two classes coz school doesn't have this specific subjects every semester and sits are not always avalable of course ...This is so frustrating and waste your time!!! So, I did evaluation of my diploma through CGFNS and sent it to NB of Howaii and Oregon they did assepted immediately and now i prepare myself to take NCLEX. Good luck to all foreigners with this no sense paper work! 

 All this CA board requirements is not a pattern! This is checking boxes deal. What exactly they do and mean when they evaluate your diploma? Just to cut hours in your transcript? They don’t have such rights. This is not a license! This is DIPLOMA from PROFESSIONAL  medical school with 4 years medical subjects ONLY (lectures & labs/practice in the REAL hospital not on the dummy) not 2 like in the US colleges to be a nurse! Working at the nursing board you have to know specifics and differences about an education. Plus I understand if you were being sent to school to take additional refreshing courses but if you have such work experience... It’s a way beyond of the sober mind. For what kind of reason? It’s funny when you show your evaluation with all your subjects that you have in your diploma and professors and especially director of the nursing program have to google medical subjects=latin medical terminology= just to know meaning of the subjects you have passed + asking you to give an example what's it all about…hmm      

 Teresa life is full of surprises ...you never know )) 

 thanks guys for your replies. this is nursewholikesnursing btw. i forgot the password for my other account so i just made a new one. @ jaykrim... i did that too, i sent a letter asking for specific instructions about what to do, what classes to take... the minimum requirements that i did not meet. they didn't even tell me these things. am i to just enroll myself without even knowing what to study to complete the requirements i lack? i mean, they could have at least provided more helpful information. also, given the fact that they know i did not graduate here, im unfamiliar with the curriculum of the colleges here. and how do i communicate this problem with the staff there so they could inform the cbon that i have indeed taken the classes. so i would need all the help i can get. i was hoping most of that help would be from them. *sigh* i sent the letter 2 weeks ago, and have not gotten a response from them yet. if i dont get a response by tomorrow. i will probably have to call them. its very disheartening.

@ Elka. So, you could apply for NCLEX at other states even if you have an application still being processed? that would help me a lot. i could try that. cause, i would like to practice already. before i forget everything that i have learned. and i miss working at a hospital environment. sigh.

 if you guys have any other information that could help... in the slightest. please do not hesitate to reply. we would be extremely grateful. us, who are still chasing the dream. :)

 okay. an update. I did some research, and found out that other nurses are experiencing the same frustrating problem. apparently, ca bon has gotten much stricter probably because of the economy, or the abundance of unemployed nurses in california. but, they've enforced new requirements last jan 2011. and the problem according to the other forums that i've read is that clinical and theory should have been taken concurrently. ( for example, complete 5 cases within that semester while youre also studying theory) and most of us, who have graduated in phil did take them concurrently but due to the lack of patients, or too many student nurses in a class. we are usually unable to finish the requirements within that semester so we have to get the cases during the summer or, whenever we get the chance the following semesters. so, it seems that they discount the clinicals if you've not been able to complete it along with theory. man, it sucks. the options are to either go back to school (will take six months to a year probably) or apply in other states which will take even morree time and money. so, i will probably just go back to school. comply with the requirements.. its a much smarter choice. for these reasons.

if i apply in other states. i will have to take the cgfns, and it might take a while too, to get a response from them. also might require me to take the toefl. and, well... i'll have to start from the beginning. its a new application.

while if i just go back to school in california. i'll have these perks.

1.)more time to study for nclex.

2.)the opportunity to study at an american college. yeaaah. ;) i hope i get financial aid for this though. haha!

3.)experience the protocols here. cause they for sure are different from what ive been used to in philippines. that way i'll be more prepared to tackle the challenges of being a new grad, a new grad who studied outside US to work in a US hospital.

and many other things. so, for those who are wondering, and being all upset and sad... just, hang in there. and think through your options, and whatever works... if you're willing to put in the effort. it will pay off. :) good luck to all of you.

nurselikenusing,, I understand now, thank you for clearing all of that up...Best of luck to all trying, and also God Bless you all for the patience, you must show..  Thank you for keeping us posted.. Hugs,Teresa

 @elka... how long did it take for Hawaii to give you your ATT/eligibility? if its just 2-4 months, i might just do that. its hard to get a job in cali anyways. so, i still might have to look into working in other states. what other states do you suggest i try to apply to? what do you think of new york? haha! yeah, i might just do that. that would be a lot less stressful. if they refuse to have me here in california. i'll just have to bring my nursing skills to another state. haha! thank you very much for this information. good luck to us both! we can do this! :D

You know, I have to give you all my sign of admiration...To have to go through all that you are doing, is a testament to the nurse that you are.. God Bless you all.. Hugs,Teresa

 @ elka... yeah.. i think im just gonna go back to school. that way it'd be like a review for me as well for MS and OB. i have 8 months to complete these requirements. im allowed to take 6 units per sem which i have to pay for myself. its gonna put a big hole in my pocket. but what the heck, im just gonna go for it. (im a teeny bit reluctant to relocate if i choose the other option, cause there would still be no assurance that i'd find a job in a state to which i will completely be a stranger. plus, i would like to keep myself sharp. i detest having to wait and be like a zombie at home. haha! i need a good dose of mental stimulation.)actually a little excited to go to school here. haha! so... heres to a brand new adventure in the land of the free!

jaykrim, I don't know the answer, but hopefully other members of NL, may be able to guide you.. Best of luck to all of you having difficulty and please keep us posted..Teresa

diane28ph says ...  

Do u guys thinks letter of an appeal would help?

No. Waste of time. Waste of time.