[asil]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a Florida nursing license???

[caroladybelle]

Longer than it should.

[Nursinrox]

Dear Asil,

May I suggest to you to plan ahead, and start months ahead!!! I began back in may of 2003 with all of the detailed paperwork, affidavits, background checks, finger prointing etc, etc. I applied for licensure by endorsement, since I was already licensed in another state. My application materials were all in in June of 2003. They did not notifiy me until mid July that their fee went up and I owed an additional $2.00 before my application could even be processed. Therefore, I sent it out that day, a M.O. for $2.oo.
When I telephoned 2 weeks ago to find out what the hold up was?,( because I should have been able to work on my current state license temporarly for 30 days while they processed my app). They said the computer showed me still owing ghe additional $2.00. that I had sent back in July. So I again sent a M.O. for another $ 2.00 this time sending it certified mail!!! PLEASE do this!!!! It is your only guarntee you have on the day you sent it out and proof that they recieved it. I did do this with my App the first time, but not with the additional $2.00 I sent the first time. I did sent it certified the second time. This tuesday I still had not heard anything knowing they recieved the $2.oo. so I called again!!! With force and adimence while still trying to remain calm and polite. Since I am having to work on TECH pay because of their error !!! Low and behold they finally transfered me to the correct person. The person who answered my call said the same ol same ol. The computer showed I owed an additional $2.00 fee. She transfered me to someone else when I got a little peeved. This lady said , can you hold while I pull your file....Dah of course!! About 10 minutes later she got on the phone and told me that everything seemed to be in the file and she would process it right then and there and give me my #...THANK GOD--Its about time!!!. Moral of the story Start early, send Certified, and even thought they state not to call....CALL CALL CAll , Harrase them , be on their ass constantly if you want results! I feel for you hope this helps! take care Darci

[Gardengal]

It takes forever! In my career of nursing and working in 5 states in 20 years, i never experienced such a ridiculous mess as with Florida. I actually asked one of their state board people if they really wanted any licensed nurses in Florida. It takes a ridiculous amount of time, too much paper work and too many fees.

Why would you need to get affadavits from previous states of licensure if you are OK in the one you are in?

Florida will not budge on stupid rules and will not recognize the forest for the trees, although when you push the issue and finally speak with someone they say the see the trees.

Absolutely the most ridiculous state in which I have ever licenced and poor in follow up. I never got a renewal notice from them, while living out of state to renew my license. After waiting over 3 months and not receiving the appropriate info from the state, I moved to Florida for the winter months to assist my mother in her move. If I hadn't pursued them I don't think I ever would have had a license. They sure wouldn't have had me in that state as a nurse if I hadn't decided to just annoy them to death once I got there. I was in Florida fo Jan through April-their key snowbird months and they could care less aboutadding to their RN numbers for their peak seasons. They couldn't count votes and can't get their act together for licensure.

The funny thing is that my mother who I accompanied to Florida has enough money that she told me to forget about the state. She would rather I just do things with her for 4 months and sh'd pay me my wage so I didn't mess up financially. I almost took her up on that offer, but decided I could get to used to a life of liesure and I knew that FL had many RN needs.

I fought, called, followed up, had to change my start date despite a greater than 3 month lag time and ended up getting verbal confirmation by my second start date for the hospital to allow me to start work.

One would think that a state which relies so heavily on tourism and winter residents for income would recognize how their supreme inefficiencies make them worse. I do not plan on working in Florida as a nurse again. I don't need the hassles or inefficiencies of their governmental stupidity. If I want to take my mother somewhere warm for the winter it will be to a more efficient state.

Expect to wait forever, pay ridiculous sums, not have good communications, be disappointed and have to follow up forever and you will be happy to try to get a Florida license. I pity all of the snowbirdswho go south for the winter. I understand being careful with licensure and applaud it. Florida goes to a ridiculous extreme!

[caroladybelle]

Agree with gardengal - the bureaucracy there is ridiculous and the pay is most certainly not worth it.

As my original license is from Florida, everytime I go for licensure by endorsement in another state. Florida manages to get another $25.00-$35.00 out of me, for providing the licensure info. And they manage to tack on another 1-3 monthes delay in getting another state's license due to their inefficiency.

If I had it to do over again, I would have taken my original Boards anywhere else.

[MrsLePew]

My Sister in MA waited 3 months to get license, and that was having to do the fingerprints x 2. Geesh I am working on mine now, live close enough to GA to drive but hear that takes a while too.

[caroladybelle]

GA took me all of about 3 weeks

[Su360]

Hello,

I am a Michigan RN who has applied for my Florida License through Endorsement...I recently had to have my fingerprints redone....I also
took some additional CEU's that were required...
I should have my license in about 1 month...hopefully
Susan

[bosslady]

Hi Guys:

As a nurse moving to Fl, I am finding your posts discouraging. I do plan to allow lots of time to get a license. Can you tell me what the deal is with fingerprints? Do I get them in my own state and send them in. None of the other States that I am licensed in require fingerprints, or as much money at Fl gets.

In addition, do you know where I can get the CEU courses that satisfy their requirements?
Thanks.

Ellen

[caroladybelle]

Usually the Florida hospitals will help you keep up on CEUs once you are there.

Try Nursing Spectrum for CEUs specific to FLA.

You will find that many of the facilities there will request another set of fingerprints, also - it is incredibly ridiculous. It has to do with some legislation passed to make politicians look good for the retirees (let's protect our parents from the evil lurking in nursing homes. It is right up there with "Restraint Free Facilities", etc.

Also, be prepared for low pay rates in Florida (especially considering how expensive that it is to get licensed). They use the excuse that there is no state income tax, to pay less. Yet a number of Florida facilities were on the "Top 100 Most Expensive Hospitals" list.