Non-degree RN from CA in AZ DNP program without AZ RN license!!

This is really convoluted and insane but here goes...

I transferred out of a Direct Entry FNP program in CA into a Doctor of Nursing Practice program in AZ. I have applied for my AZ RN license only to discover that because I had not actually graduated from a nursing program I am not eligible for an AZ license!! The portion of the Direct Entry program I completed is equivalent to a BSN (in fact we took the exact same courses as the BSN students and even had some of the same teachers!) but because the program is recognized as a graduate program and the financial aid that is received for the program is considered to be toward a graduate degree, the state of CA said the school could no longer confer BSN's to the students in the direct entry program on their way to their MSN (sigh) and so I sat for the NCLEX and was awarded my RN as a non-degree RN. I was the lucky one to be a part of the first cohort in which they had to do that with...yea me! Every other cohort before me got their BSN on their way to their MSN.

I was told that there is someone who will be in on Monday who has the authority to put me through after evaulating my transcripts (which they already have) maybe, possibly. I also went ahead and asked my program director from the Direct Entry program to send a letter to the AZ BON indicating the situation and that indeed the coursework I took is the same as the BSN coursework...

So my questions are:

1- Is there anyone else out there that has done this and what was the outcome?
2- What are some of my options in order to get my paper that says I have a BSN?

I was even considering going to the DNP program I am in now and asking that school to evaluate my transcripts and give me my BSN, lol! I would gladly take a few courses if that was what was necessary to make that happen.

a very sad and scared butterfly (but not giving up...necessity is the mother of invention...or loop holes, lol!)
I know there have been other posts and threads here from people in the same type of situation -- folks who did enough of a direct-entry program to get licensed as an RN in their "home" state, but, when they wanted to endorse into another state, they found they were in limbo; the new state wouldn't license them because they hadn't completed an approved nursing program.I don't recall what the final outcomes were, though -- maybe you can figure out how to do a search (what search terms to use, I mean ) to find those threads.Best wishes!

Sorry to hear that you are in this situation. Not making any sense at all, unless one sees in this a new way to get more money from the students caught up.

Quote from elkparkI know there have been other posts and threads here from people in the same type of situation -- folks who did enough of a direct-entry program to get licensed as an RN in their "home" state, but, when they wanted to endorse into another state, they found they were in limbo; the new state wouldn't license them because they hadn't completed an approved nursing program.I don't recall what the final outcomes were, though -- maybe you can figure out how to do a search (what search terms to use, I mean ) to find those threads.Best wishes!

Quote from sirI(as far as I know, and I could be wrong, California is the only state that allows sitting for NCLEX w/o actually graduating from a nursing program. and, their RN license is only good in the state of California and cannot be endorsed in any other state)

Thanks, elkpark.

thanks elkpark. i am hoping against hope that the person who is reviewing my transcripts will see that i took all the courses associated with a bsn from an accredited program and that will be that. i was also considering contacting one of the places listed on the application that evaluates the foreign transcripts and see what they could do with my transcripts.these are listed on the az rn endorsement application for the foreign nurses (go figure they are in ca)international education researchfoundationp.o. box 3665culver city, ca 90231phone: 310-258-9451fax: 310-342-7086e-mail: [email protected]

Here's a link to an old discussion of non-degree RN's. I haven't read it, so don't know if it has useful info, but can't hurt to take a look! http://allnurses.com/california-nurs...rn-264706.htmlGood luck!

Quote from butterflyeffectthanks elkpark. i am hoping against hope that the person who is reviewing my transcripts will see that i took all the courses associated with a bsn from an accredited program and that will be that. i was also considering contacting one of the places listed on the application that evaluates the foreign transcripts and see what they could do with my transcripts.these are listed on the az rn endorsement application for the foreign nurses (go figure they are in ca)international education researchfoundationp.o. box 3665culver city, ca 90231phone: 310-258-9451fax: 310-342-7086e-mail: [email protected]

Yes, in the program...and doing very well....I think it is odd as well that no one said anything to me about the whole oh you dont have a formal RN degree but you have an RN that might not work out for you to move to AZ that only works in CA. I was clear up front that I have several other degrees but no formal RN degree and they said they would take a letter from my school indicating that I had taken coursework that is BSN equivalent. Thanks all of you for your words of wisdom. This is just a stepping stone...I will figure out a way to make it work even if I have to take some additional classes to get the formal BSN and take a semester off from the DNP. I so love this program though...that would be a shame.I still believe a nurse should be a nurse should be a nurse no matter where you are in the country...the standards should be the same for everyone...and they should be high. I might not see it in my lifetime either but having a cohesive standard and language will strengthen us as a separate and distinct health care profession and our political clout when it comes to legislation. The AMA gets this and that is why they are so good at getting what they want. Nurses need to be good at getting what they want too. :redpinkhe

Quote from butterflyeffectI still believe a nurse should be a nurse should be a nurse no matter where you are in the country...the standards should be the same for everyone...and they should be high. I might not see it in my lifetime either but having a cohesive standard and language will strengthen us as a separate and distinct health care profession and our political clout when it comes to legislation. The AMA gets this and that is why they are so good at getting what they want. Nurses need to be good at getting what they want too. :redpinkhe