Fingerprints for BON and Pyxis: Unable to Print or Scan

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I have a weird problem. I graduate next month. I tried to get fingerprinted for the required FBI background check for my BON nursing license application, and I was told I was "unprintable." I went to the sheriff's department and several people tried with me for a loooong time. They tried different products on my fingers, milking technique, alcohol, everything. My prints are so worn, they cannot get prints on me. The sheriff's department gave me a letter to send in for the FBI background check saying I am unprintable due to worn fingerprints.

It's true. My fingerprints are so worn down, they are smooth. I have no idea why. Maybe from swimming everyday for about an hour? I don't know. I hadn't noticed until going to be printed.

So I called the FBI, and they said I'd have to submit two sets of bad prints with two letters from the fingerprinting agencies documenting that I am unprintable due to worn prints. Then, they'd initiate a "name search" of my identity in the entire United States for criminal background history, and I'd have an investigator check my background and what I've been doing for the last 10 years (this is fine). Problem is, the FBI says this takes about six months. This would delay my nursing license for 6 months!!! No job for me for six months! This is the procedure for "unprintable" people.

And the problem continues. I am at a hospital for my preceptorship that uses the opti-scan fingerprint for pyxis access. The pyxis machine scanner cannot get a print on me, either. So I cannot get into the pyxis.

I am very frustrated. I'm wondering if anyone has had this problem, and what they did. Also, is there a way of getting pyxis access without using your fingerprint in pyxis machines that use the fingerprint? Anyone know? I'm hoping there is a fingerprint bypass where you can use a password. The FBI tells me ~2000 people are unprintable.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

What a frustrating procedure for the background check.

As far as PYXIS, our machine DOES have the option to enter a password (which was used for everybody prior to going to finger prints). Check with your pharmacy if this would be an option?

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We have the ability to use our password in pyxis if our fingerprint fails and at times mine does.

I had trouble with my fingerprints. I went to a local place at times he had to do some of my fingers 6 times. I sent them in and they got rejected, returned to the same place( didn't pay again) and same thing happened so I filled out the form for the background search. I sent this in in June and didn't hear anything and got the run around trying to call the FBI and DOJ etc. I finally wrote the BRN, this is in California and below is what I got back. I don't have to renew until next August but I was worried.

********************************

how many times do I need to submit my fingerprints?

You only need to submit your fingerprints once. If your fingerprints

are rejected than you will be notified by the Board via a letter that

will instruct you to have your fingerprints redone. If your

fingerprints are rejected a second time then the board will proceed with

a request to DOJ for a name search. Once you have submitted your

fingerprints you do not need to do anything else unless the board

contacts you.

My fingerprints were rejected will I be able to renew my license?

Yes, the fingerprint requirement is to submit your fingerprints and

once you have done so you are in compliance with the requirement. When

you renew your RN license there will be a question related to the

submission of fingerprints and you can mark the "Yes" box to state that

you have complied with the fingerprint requirement.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

there is another option with Pyxis. Lots of nurses have worn out fingerprints due to frequent handwashing.

Call the Board. They probably have a process too.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I called the BON and talked to someone in licensing. They said it typically takes about 12 weeks from the time of 2 fingerprint rejections to completion for the FBI/DOJ name check. However, they said I may be able to work sooner on a temporary license. I can get a temporary license as soon as my state background check comes back, which is sooner.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health, Dialysis, Tele.

There were some people in my class that had the same problem, we found out that some fingerprinting places have a computer that "scans' the prints, that way you didn't have to wait to see if they were rejected because it was bad or smudged, the person could tell right then if it was a good scan. I am emailing my friend to see what the name of the company was. Will get back to you

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
There were some people in my class that had the same problem, we found out that some fingerprinting places have a computer that "scans' the prints, that way you didn't have to wait to see if they were rejected because it was bad or smudged, the person could tell right then if it was a good scan. I am emailing my friend to see what the name of the company was. Will get back to you

That's OK. I've tried that. They were unable to get a passable scan on me. Thank you, though ;-)

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Specializes in Holistic and Aesthetic Medicine.

I'd try tincture of benzoin before inking and see if it enhances your print

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Oh my gosh! That really stinks! I'm not even in a program yet, but when it comes time to be printed I will try to remember this....I burnt my hands badly when I was about a year old and my fingerprints on both hands are "melted" - some a little, some a LOT. I hope this doesn't happen to me! :( Best of luck!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health, Dialysis, Tele.

ok, well here is the site in case anyone else wants it.

http://www.l1id.com/pages/550-enrollment-services

that is the website from a company called l-1, they use integrated biometric technology.

sorry about your fingerprinting problem...:sniff:

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.

Hi all,

I am going through the same process but I didn't know it was going to take 6 months!!! to get this done. My BON said it would take 3 weeks for them to come back with the name search. I should figure this out by next week. I didn't know about the Corn Huskers thing. I guess I will pass this onto others as I didn't think my fingerprints were going to be a big deal. Also, it isn't all the fingerprints that are bad, just a couple of them. But anyway, that point is moot now.

I start my new job in a couple of weeks and dang it! I should hear back from the BON about what is going on (status) of my name check. I will have to keep delaying my start date if this goes on for 6 months!!!

I can't even take my NCLEX until this is done. I'm so pissed.

As far as pyxis is concerned, you can access your finger through password entry. You have to scan it on the machine first. Usually most people don't have a problem with this but since you can't make prints, just use that option.

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This happened where I worked and they gave the person a log-in to access the Pyxis.

otessa

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