Working as a GN for 6 Months

ocb_dave_ocb, LPN · Jul 31, 2005

My EX is a GN and she is working at a local clinic as a MA.. Once she sits and passes her boards they are going to raise her pay to LPN...

So I guess it really depends on the facility. In my opinion I would sit for your boards and then move... That is what im going to do anyway.. after i sit for my TN boards im going to move to NC

good luck anyway

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2005

Yep, i agree, sit for your boards as soon as possible after graduation. Working as a GN isnt going to do any more for you than going ahead and taking NCLEX. Actually i dont see a lot of hospitals wanting anyone to work GN very long, it takes resources from the budget they could be using to pay a licensed nurse. GN's cant work on their own in a hospital, you have to work with a licensed RN, and that means doubling the budgeted dollars for one nurse. See? I havent seen my hospital keep a GN on past the orientation period if they havent passed or are scheduled to take NCLEX. You can always move your license later.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Aug 7, 2005

Your GN temp license is only good for 90 days I believe. I would also be surprised if a hospital allows you to be employed as simply a GN with no plans to take the nclex for awhile.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Actually this is an issue that is determined by state law, not usually by facility.

In some states, there is no "GN" status, and in such cases, the facility may list you as a "senior nurse Tech" or something of that ilk. In most states, you are required to write Boards as soon as feasible and you may use the GN designation for the brief period between graduation and receiving the Board results. You lose the privilege of using the GN designation upon failing Boards, failing to take the scheduled Boards, or failing to schedule Boards in a timely manner (no matter what the reason...even if it is a BON error).

Using the title GN is a very limited privilege. But it is a privilege...not a right.

Y'all generally find out fairly rapidly whether you passed Boards (within less than a month) as well as in most states, can take them in a timely fashion. They are limited to a maximum of around 250 questions. Those of us that came before you had to write Boards (hundreds of questions) at very limited dates and sites. If you did not get your preferred site, you might have to travel several hundred miles and stay for the two days to write Boards. It also took 1-6 monthes to receive your results and license. So, we did have a slightly extended GN status.

I graduated in 11/93, got my testing permit late 1/94, tested in 2/1994 and did not receive my license/results until 5/1994. Testing took place over two days, 5-6 hours per day, and hundreds of questions each day.

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Actually this is an issue that is determined by state law, not usually by facility.
In some states, there is no "GN" status, and in such cases, the facility may list you as a "senior nurse Tech" or something of that ilk. In most states, you are required to write Boards as soon as feasible and you may use the GN designation for the brief period between graduation and receiving the Board results. You lose the privilege of using the GN designation upon failing Boards, failing to take the scheduled Boards, or failing to schedule Boards in a timely manner (no matter what the reason...even if it is a BON error).
Using the title GN is a very limited privilege. But it is a privilege...not a right.

A very good point. In my state, and temp permit is technically valid for one year from the date of issuance, or until results from NCLEX are reported (whether pass or fail). But realistically, no facility is going to "carry" you for that long. GNs must be supervised, cannot hang blood, etc.

Another thing to keep in mind ... statistically, NCLEX pass rates begin to drop significantly for first time test takers after the 4-month post-graduation point.

It is to everyone's benefit for a new grad to take (and pass) NCLEX as soon as possible.

KristinWW · Aug 16, 2005

Has anyone done it, or anything close to it? I am asking b/c first of all I have never heard of it, and second b/c I think that I may leave my state after graduation. But I don't want to sit for the Nclex anywhere else. So I wanted to know if hospitals let pre nclex nurse work as GNs for an extended period of time.

I know Florida is 6 months. But every single employee you meet, from HR to fellow nurses to managers, will ask "when are taking NCLEX"? :)

oldnurse newnurse · Aug 30, 2005

okay never heard the word what is a GN don't have it here in illinois they call us RN-LP that means RN license pending.