Buy California Nursing Licenses

Buy California Nursing Licenses Becoming a Registered Nurse is a solid career choice when it comes to job security, salary potential, and fulfillment. For nurses who plan to work in California, the rewards and opportunities are even more promising.

 

 

PART ONE Why Work In California?

Buy California Nursing Licenses California tops the nation when it comes to RN salaries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports registered nurses earning an average median salary of $106,950 in the Golden State. California also employs the most RNs in the nation, with over 250,000 nurses working in the state.

In fact, over 70,000 RNs work in just the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan area.

The other thing that sets nursing jobs in California apart is its unique nurse-to-patient ratio law. It mandates that there has to be a minimum ratio of one nurse for every five patients (1:5), and within Intensive Care Units, the ratio is one to two (1:2). This helps ensure that nurses are not overwhelmed and overworked, and ultimately improves patient care outcomes.

Thinking of becoming a Registered Nurse in California? Read on to find out more about what it’s all about.

PART TWODemand And Outlook

Buy California Nursing Licenses California is facing a nursing shortage more severe than any other state, making it more vital than ever that a new generation of RNs step in to fill this need.

According to one study, California has only produced 50 percent of the nurses it needs over the last couple of decades. This is just one of the reasons demand for nurses is so high in California. Employers are doing all they can to attract and retain nursing talent in the state.

One of the drivers behind this incredible demand is the state’s robust Medicaid program called Medi-Cal. With over 13 million enrollees, it’s a public health insurance program for low-income individuals including families, Buy California Nursing Licenses children, seniors, persons with disabilities, foster care, and those with specific diseases such as tuberculosis, breast cancer, or HIV/AIDS.

A recent study by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projected one of the largest nursing shortages in the country for California. In addition, our data shows that the highest demand specialty is in the ICU.

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Beyond job numbers, California is also a desirable place to live with a strong economy. Whether you want to settle in beautiful wine country or the sunny Southern California coastline, there are many highly sought after areas to call home. 

PART THREESalary & Benefits

California consistently ranks as the highest paying state in the nation for nurses. In addition to a robust state Medicaid program, the golden state also has a mandatory staffing ratio which forces many hospitals to utilize the services of travel nurses in order to fill their nursing rosters.

Salary Structure

Most staff nurses who work full-time earn an hourly wage with a benefits package. These rates vary by hospital, experience level, and specialty. Many hospitals in California are unionized so these rates may not be negotiable. 

Administrative nurses such as Directors and Assistant Directors generally receive salaries and may work more typical office hours.

Beyond the strong salaries of RNs in California, there is usually the opportunity to also earn overtime pay. In fact, in a nationwide survey, 47 percent of RNs reported working overtime. Of those, 54 percent said they added on an extra one to five hours per week; 32 percent worked six to 10 hours overtime weekly, and 15 percent put in 11 hours or more.

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Work Schedules

In 2014, about 1 out of 6 registered nurses worked part-time. According to the BLS, 60% of RNs worked in hospitals, with smaller percentages working at physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities, and for government agencies.

Nurses on staff in hospitals and even nursing homes usually work in shifts, since 24 hours of care needs to be covered. Therefore, RNs usually have to work some nights, weekends, and holidays. Typical shifts are 12 hours long and nurses work 3 – 4 days a week.

For those seeking 9-to-5 type hours, RNs who work for medical offices, schools, and daytime clinics offer more traditional work hours.

Although the median salary for RNs in California is already high, nurses who provide specialized care, work in advanced units, or who take on supervisory positions have the potential to earn even more.

The need for RNs is particularly strong in for the following cities and reflect the highest salaries for registered nurses in the entire country:

 

Benefits

As far as benefits, full-time RNs almost always get at least paid time off and health insurance – 96 percent of respondents in the survey above said they received both. Additional benefits that might be available to RNs include educational reimbursement (67 percent); professional society membership dues (14 percent); and paid parental leave (20 percent).

Even after adjusting for the cost of living, which is relatively high, California still appears to be the state where a nurse’s salary will go the farthest. See a full ranking of all 50 states salaries adjusted for the cost-of-living.

PART FOUR California Nursing Licenses

The California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN) regulates and issues all registered nursing licenses in the state. California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so every nurse must apply for a separate California license to practice there.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A CALIFORNIA NURSING LICENSE?

Licensure in California can be a long, time-consuming process. Processing times vary based on how long it takes for the board to receive and review documents from schools, agencies, and other states or countries. The estimated processing time can be anywhere from 10 – 16 weeks for an initial license and 2 – 8 weeks for license renewal. However, we’ve seen this process take up to 6 months!

For the latest estimates, see their processing times page at the following address:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/times.shtml

Read on to learn about the application and best practices. 

WHY DOES CALIFORNIA LICENSURE TAKE SO LONG?

It may seem obvious but, for starters, the California Board Of Nursing receives overwhelming amounts of applications. Secondly, snail mail and college transcripts can slow the process – especially if they are requested from multiple schools. However, we’ve found that the most prevalent factor to slow down licensure is fingerprinting. They offer two methods for fingerprinting: 

• Manual fingerprints
• LiveScan

As a rule of thumb – manual fingerprints will slow down the process. The probability of error is high – manual fingerprints can be easily smudged and consequently deemed unreadable. However, nurses may not know this until their fingerprints have already been received by the CBRN – with snail mail this process can take weeks. We suggest taking great care to ensure that your fingerprints are clear and readable. Additionally, the CBRN charges an additional $50 for manual fingerprinting and this doesn’t include the fee that the fingerprinting service agency may charge. 

If you want your license fast – we suggest LiveScan.  But, you’ll have to be in California to complete this method. LiveScan is an electronic fingerprinting reader and results are received within seconds – it typically costs around $75. Since the LiveScan is completed in California (and, there is actually a LiveScan office located a few blocks from the California Board Of Nursing) you’ll be able to quickly complete the fingerprints and turn in your entire application all at once. Licensure processing times for those who complete LiveScan are usually around 4-6 weeks – during normal processing times. 

A tip to get ahead of the game is to download the LiveScan required forms and throw them in your suitcase now!  The overall peace of mind may be worth the trip to California if you’re from out-of-state. Better yet, if you’re a travel nurse, some travel nursing agencies will pay for your flight to California and also cover your licensing fees. 

If you need updates on your college transcripts, fingerprints or the status of your application do not hesitate to call the CBRN because “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Also, if you are flying into Sacramento to complete your licensure application, it is a good idea to call the CBRN ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need. They can be reached at 1-800-838-6828.  

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LICENSURE OPTIONS

There are two methods of obtaining licensure – Licensure by Examination and Licensure by Endorsement. California also offers the option to obtain a temporary license – good for 6 months. 

Here’s a breakdown of each of those processes:

LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION

This method is often used by nurses who are obtaining their first RN license. To obtain licensure by examination a nurse must complete the application packet found here:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/exam-app.pdf

In addition to the completed forms in the packet, the applicant must also include the following:

• Appropriate fees, including fingerprint and interim permit fees, if applicable (see the current Fee Schedule) 
• Completed “Application for Licensure by Examination”, including U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Completed fingerprints using either Live Scan or fingerprint card (Hard Card) processing method
• One recent 2” x 2” passport-type photograph attached to the reverse side of the “Application for Licensure by Examination”
• Completed “Request for Accommodation of Disabilities” and accompanying form(s), if applicable
• “Request for Transcript” form(s) completed and forwarded directly from your nursing school(s) with certified transcripts
• If applicable, documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to your rehabilitation as directed in the “Reporting Prior Convictions or Discipline Against Licenses” section of the application packet

After the application is approved, you will be able to take the NCLEX and obtain your RN license.

LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT

If you already have a valid RN license in another state, you will need to apply for Licensure by Endorsement. To qualify for endorsement (reciprocity) into California as an RN, you must hold a current and active RN license in another state, U.S. territory, or Canada, have completed an educational program meeting all California requirements, and have passed the NCLEX-RN.

To obtain licensure using this method download the Licensure by Endorsement packet found here:

http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/applicants/end-app.pdf

If you want to speed up the process, we suggest completing LiveScan fingerprints and applying for both the permanent license and the temporary license to avoid any delays related to the college transcripts. 

In addition to the completed forms in the packet, you’ll need to provide the following:

• Appropriate Fees (see the current Fee Schedule) 
• Completed “Application for Licensure by Examination”, including U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Completed fingerprints using either LiveScan or fingerprint card (Hard Card) processing method as directed in the INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING FINGERPRINT CARD. Submit the non-refundable TOTAL FEE as directed on the Applicable Fee Schedule.
• One recent 2” x 2” passport-type photograph
• Completed Verification of License form OR if your board of nursing participates in Nursys®, visit www.nursys.com to complete a paperless verification online. International graduates must submit license verification from the board of nursing where the examination was taken.
• Request for Transcript form – completed and forwarded directly from the nursing school(s) with certified transcripts. To speed up the process, especially if you are flying to California, ask the college to overnight the transcripts to the California Board of Registered Nursing. 
• If applicable, documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to your rehabilitation as directed in Section II of the General Information and Instructions.

Note that your nursing education must meet all the requirements of California’s State Board of Nursing. See Part Five for nursing education requirements.

TEMPORARY LICENSE

California offers a temporary license for an additional fee of $50 – it is good for 6 months. To obtain a temporary license you’ll still need to complete the entire application packet as the license by endorsement –  except for the college transcripts. College transcripts will still need to be verified in order to receive a permanent license. The benefit of obtaining a temporary license is that you can start working while your permanent license is still being processed. Your college transcripts will be processed within those 6 months and the permanent license will be issued. 

However, if you elect to complete manual fingerprints and not LiveScan, it may not be worth it to apply for a temporary license. The time it takes to process the manual fingerprints, especially if there are errors, could take longer than the temporary license is even good for! 

LICENSURE FOR MILITARY MEDICAL CORPS 

Unfortunately, California does not accept military medical corps training as equivalent to accredited schooling. Anyone seeking a nursing license in the state must complete an accredited program approved by the board of nursing. Military corps members may be able to receive credit towards these approved programs, however.  

See Part 8 for further information on nursing programs in California.

HOW DO I RENEW MY CALIFORNIA NURSING LICENSE?

Your first California RN license is issued for two birthdays, so it will expire the last day of the month following your birth date. From that date on, it will expire every two years. Buy California Nursing Licenses Maintaining an active license requires the completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education.

For more information on CEU requirements, see Part 8.

As of September 2017, the general renewal fee for active licenses is $190. For expired licenses, the fee to renew is $280.

PART FIVEState Board Contact Information

For the most accurate information on licensure in California, we recommend contacting the board directly through the following methods:

OFFICE HOURS

According to the state board’s official website, the office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the exception of State Holidays.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS

Board of Registered Nursing