NJ Board of Nursing - What the Heck?

U.S.A. New Jersey

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So I know that the NJ BON is notoriously bad. My husband graduated from nursing school in 2009 and had a six week wait, and my mother-in-law graduated in 2010 and waited two months from start to finish. Knowing this, I sent my paperwork in back in April. I tracked it as being received by April 16th. Check was cashed April 30th. Paperwork was entered into system May 14th. I was expecting about a two month wait once everything was received, and I was prepared for it.

It has now been three months, and I still have yet to receive my fingerprinting paperwork. I somehow got my ATT at the end of June, took my boards a few days later and passed, but they still haven't processed the fingerprinting paperwork. I've repeatedly called because I start my RN job on the 25th, and the BON just keeps saying that they've implemented a "new procedure" that makes them even slower than usual (awesome time to implement it, when everybody's graduating).

It's so frustrating, because I know that I'll have a wait for scheduling my fingerprinting, and then it'll be weeks after that is received by the BON before I get my license. I expected it to take a couple of months; now I'm looking at four (an optimistic outlook) or five months at least that it will take to get my license. I got a great job at a trauma center in south Jersey, and I'm not going to be happy if I lose it because NJ can't send out fingerprinting paperwork.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to light a fire under these people? I don't understand why it is so difficult to send out one bloody letter that says, "you can schedule your fingerprinting." To still be waiting for that after three months is asinine. I'm so frustrated. :madface:

Specializes in Psychiatry.

Email the head of the dept. I was waiting almost a month for my license number, I emailed her and got it in under a half an hour.

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Did anyone apply for NJ licensure via endorsement? I am in the process of doing that more. My primary state of licensure processed my verification fee weeks ago and it says it takes about 10 business days for verification. Yet of course on the NJ website the "verification" item is unchecked on my checklist.

Can anyone recommend when is the best time to show up in person? Upon all items being checked on the list?

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I've had HUGE problems with the NJBON. I did a paper application (most likely what caused all my problems but I couldn't figure out the website) at the end of May, called multiple times in June and I got the old "call back in 10-15 business days". Went until the end of July without hearing anything and then finally got my fingerprinting information. I did my fingerprinting in early August and got so frustrated that I hadn't received my ATT by the end of August that I called and demanded to speak to a supervisor. She was extremely helpful and found out that they had my name in the system backwards (my last name as my first name) she fixed it and I got my ATT the next day. I took and passed my NCLEX on October 2nd and went 8 weeks without anything from the board (NCLEX RN was still listed as "unchecked" on my checklist) until I found this thread and figured I might as well physically go to the office and see what the problem was. After telling the receptionist what was wrong she got someone to approve my license on the spot and I walked out of there with my license number in hand.

while I think it's ridiculous that I had to go through all this, if you are having a problem GO TO THE NJBON IF YOU CAN!!! IT'S TOTALLY WORTH IT

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I am having the same problem, it is so incredibly frustrating.

I took and passed my boards on Oct. 18 and have been checking online ever since to still find that it says my RN is still PENDING. Finally a couple of weeks ago I called to find out the problem and they said I hadn't been fingerprinted... no idea I had to do this, and I NEVER got anything in the mail about it. I asked if they could check and make sure that I had everything else in (because if one thing is missing, everything is marked UNCHECKED!) and he told me that their systems were down and to call back in a few weeks to find out. It's a few weeks later now and I still haven't gotten my fingerprint application in the mail.

I am extremely frustrated because I have to imagine that when job searching, they are checking to see if I have an RN license and I am sure I am losing on job opportunities because it hasn't been posted yet.

Something should be done. It's hard enough as it is finding a job these days. So frustrating.

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Not that this helps any of you, but I emailed the contact on the website in charge of applications by endorsement for ppl with the last names A-F. I had everything "checked" that needed to be. I e-mailed her yesterday and as of today my license # is up on the site. I am sure going in person is very powerful, too, and that would have been my second step, but I decided to try to save myself the trip.

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Hey what email did you use to contact the person in charge of applications. Or how can I find it on the website. I am having the same issues and it is really frustrating. Thanks in advance.

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Go to "Consumer Information," then "Know Your Board." I fiddled around with some email addresses...like doh.nj.gov, for example.

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@Iridium54

What email did you use? I need to email the person for O-Z because calling me has gotten me nowhere. One woman told me it'd be ready in under a month and another that it would be ready in 8-10 weeks.

So incredibly frustrating.

I'm also in a rush because I just got offered a job but won't be able to take it if I don't have SOMETHING that says I have a NJ license.

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Hi everyone..i just wanted to know if the condition in new jersey stays the same...i mean the process of application to register as an rn is still slow? anyone can comment please to give me an insight,,,planning to apply soon....

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The board of nursing is an embarrassment. I think i have you all beat with my wait time. I applied for a license by endorsement in September 2012. I was told 8-10 weeks. I have made several phone calls and each time am told something different. Three people that I have spoken with have sent emails on my behalf and still nothing.I am flying to NJ tomorrow for a job interview, but without a license don't hold out much hope of a job offer. Clearly the hospitals are aware of the licensing problems. Friday I am driving up to Newark and refusing to leave without a license. After reading much online, that seems to be the best bet for actually getting a license.

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@ ame64..gudluck! thats what i did..i went there at newark and then got my license same day.

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Specializes in Operating Room, ICU, CCRN.
@ ame64..gudluck! thats what i did..i went there at newark and then got my license same day.

How long did you wait before going? It's only been 2 weeks since I passed the nclex rn but I have a job and I'm ready to start. Accepted the offer and everything. All they need is my license. How early is too early?

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