Re: fingerprint card; lacking requirement
First of all, the f.p.card should have been included with the application in the first place so that all requirements are in one package.
Base on the reply you got, it seems that the f.p. card you've sent separately never made it to them. How did you send it? If you did not use courier (Fedex/DHL/UPS), big chance it never reached the destination at all and if you've sent it way back Nov. 2007 and they recently said they do not have it then you are essentially waiting for nothing. Your application will not be processed completely w/o it.
Better if you send them another one instead and send it via a reliable courier service of your choice and on hard envelope since any bents or folds to it also renders it unfit for processing as well. Also include a cover letter with it, citing the complete situation and circumstances. You have to inform them that it is the missing requirement for your application. Do not presume the one who will process it knows your circumstance automatically.
This is why we discourage that applicants send an application thru someone they know who is in the US when one could easily send it directly themselves. Does not matter as well if that someone is a nurse for a long time in the US as well. Someone living in the US or an Aunt who is a nurse for a long time there does not make it any faster or easier and at most that I've read here since I became a member here, it almost always delays things because one mistake usually delay things exponentially.
And always send impt. documents via international couriers and not thru the local post office.
As far as the 5 year wait, it is not carved in stone and also depends on certain factors and circumstances for each individual. To be honest, it can be shorter than that but it could easily be longer than that as well. It can be longer if the applicant cannot get an eligibility just to take NCLEX and if the applicant keeps failing exams. Some can't pass the IELTS or TOEFL as well even after passing the NCLEX and so that delays them some more than it should compared to someone that passes all their exams the first time. Some even abandon going to the US altogether because they can't pass IELTS/TOEFL no matter how many times they have taken it.
Some can't even be given visa screen certificates and are being asked to leave the US because of this lacking document.
There are lots of factors.
Better focus on your application first, you are already having a hard time just for that. Then focus on passing the required exams, second. Worry about everything else after. You already applied for the licensure via CA BRN so you will go through it anyway.
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