Proof of degree question

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have never been asked to provide proof of my degree but I also haven't job searched in years.

Are prospective employers requiring it? (Seems a dumb question..)

And are you obtaining and providing copies reflecting a name change?

I had a name change after graduation years ago and will change it again about the time I will job search, but I suppose I could delay making a legal change until after I secure employment.

Does it need to have your current name or will your maiden name at time of graduation suffice? (My original diploma)

Or should I request a copy with today's name which is the one known by my references and name used with relevant work history? (that seems the most logical).

Prospective employers can verify your license with the board of nursing. As far as degree, I've never heard of having your degree changed to reflect your married name.

I put the states I am licensed and the college, year graduated and degree awarded. I've never been asked to prove my degree but I'm sure if an employer needed to confirm, they could.

Just make sure your résumé is accurate and you should be fine.

I've had potential employers require a photocopy of my degree(s) (although that makes no sense to me -- same as the photocopies of nursing licenses; you'd think they would prefer to comfirm with the school directly that I actually attended and graduated; degrees can be faked pretty easily). It's a big inconvenience; I've got mine framed and they're v. hard to fit into a photocopy machine to get a decent copy, haha.

Personally, it is easier to make changes when it's not needed. Get it right and you won't have to do it in a hurry for that job you want. I have a friend that is having an issue with the BON of GA and will actually have to drive there to prove who she is as she didn't change her name with divorce years ago.. it was just easier to let it go them.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In nearly a decade of nursing I've never been asked to produce my degree, and I've had multiple jobs during this time.

I was once asked to email a copy of my official transcripts to a recruiter before interviewing for a new grad residency slot, but that was due to the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement set by this particular hospital system.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I know both private duty/home health agencies were required to verify my license and diploma in the past year or so. One of the accrediting agencies required it during the audit as did one of the insurance companies. One asked that the employer verify with the school rather than copy the diploma or report card as fraudulent diplomas have been found. One office is accredited by several groups.

They asked to see the license (some of the schools that I accompany patients to actually ask to copy my nursing license, state ID, and work ID and have my dept of education fingerprint/background clearance forwarded to the school....this one I know the reason why. A parent claimed to direct hire a private duty nurse instead of going through the board of education or nursing agency. There was an emergency. The school nurse questioned the "aide"'s response who turned out to not be a nurse but a friend of the parent trained by the parent. Parent was careful to not refer to her as a nurse but a private aide or caregiver the district and school erroneously assumed the aide was a credentialed licensed nurse. Now this special needs school needs to cya.

+ Add a Comment