Passed NCLEX but boss took me off work schedule!!!

U.S.A. New Jersey

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I am in pure panic mode! I am wondering if any of you have dealt with this situation before?? I have worked at a hospital as an admissions clerk and also in ER registration for 7 years now. I don't even consider it work because I absolutely love what I do. So now on to the dilemma: I took my boards July 2nd and purchased my "unoffical" pearson results on July 4th and discovered that I had passed my nclex exam! Of course I told everyone including complete strangers (haha). I was under the impression that I could continue to work in both of my departments UNTIL the NJ board of nursing approved me and issued my "official" license number. (which could take anywhere from 2 weeks to months) Then of course I knew I would no longer be able to work due to conflicts of interest. Well ......... I received a phone call the NEXT day (July 5th) from my boss who explained that I could no longer work as an admissions clerk because I had passed my NCLEX and that he was removing me off the schedule as of tomorrow July 9th. I flipped out and approached human resources and explained the entire "unofficial" results issue but she wanted no part of my plea. Have any of you dealt with this before? I have searched and google'd everything and I keep hitting dead ends. HELP!!! I went from feeling on top the world to below sea level.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

You were fired?!?!

What kind of "conflict of interest" would present removing you from a position because you are a nurse?

I continued to work as a tech when I was licensed as a LPN while I looked for work.

I continued to work as a LPN while holding a RN license...I had a resource preceptor while transitioning.

I NEVER have been removed from a position because I was licensed.

I don't get it.

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Well my one department did that, the other department thinks it's absurd and refuses to take me off the schedule. So I guess technically "not fired". But I will be visiting little HR heaven (haha) again today!!

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Good morning all!! Here is my issue and would love some input if you have experienced the same? I took the NCLEX July 2nd and purchased my "unofficial" pearson vue quick results July 4th and discovered I passed!!! BUTTTTTTTTTT .. human resources at my employer tells me that I am being removed from all schedules effective immediately :( !!!!!!!!!! She is telling me that technically once I graduate nursing school I am held liable as a nurse and when I asked for a written policy and procedure she told me there is none. I cannot believe they did this to me after 7 years!!! I was under the impression you can still work in your current departments UNTIL you receive your "official" results from the state which can take up to 2 months sometimes!!! Because legally I cannot practice as a licensed nurse until I hear from the board of nursing. I legally have researched everything and cannot find any type of law that states this. HELP ?! With a young daughter at home barely making it paycheck to paycheck as it is, I'm devastated!

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

Duplicate threads merged as per site ToS

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You were fired?!?!

What kind of "conflict of interest" would present removing you from a position because you are a nurse?

I continued to work as a tech when I was licensed as a LPN while I looked for work.

I continued to work as a LPN while holding a RN license...I had a resource preceptor while transitioning.

I NEVER have been removed from a position because I was licensed.

I don't get it.

There are lots of employers (although certainly not all employers) that just don't allow people to work in a position below their level of education/licensure. It creates potential liability issues for the individual and the facility/employer, and lots of places just don't want to deal with it. As soon as you graduate from nursing school, that's it, you're off the schedule. That is their choice to make.

I do think it would be nice if employers would let people know, as soon as they know someone is in school for a higher level of licensure/certification, that that is the policy, so people can be prepared, and I always encourage people to ask their employers and find out about this kind of policy before they suddenly find themselves in the OP's situation (if it's going to happen, you can at least be prepared ...).

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry, SICU.

This why I refuse to tell anybody I work (that I don't trust to keep their mouth quiet) if I took the test, when I took the test, if I passed the test. I'm not telling anybody crap until I have a job so I can put in my two weeks.

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I did ask BEFORE even scheduling my boards about what the process was. I was told by HR and both of my unit directors that I can continue to work UNTIL I receive official notification from the state. But yesterday their tone was completely different and their explanation was that once you graduate nursing school you are removed immediately from all schedules. Funny because they all knew I graduated nursing school 2 months ago and it was never a problem. Also upon asking for a written policy/procedure they could not produce anything and told me that they just do not have enough time to search my name in a database everyday. I'm excited because it's on to new and better things and it's a new chapter in life; a blessing in disguise possibly :) .. I was just curious as to see if anyone was told this as well upon "unofficial" results of a test.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I did ask BEFORE even scheduling my boards about what the process was. I was told by HR and both of my unit directors that I can continue to work UNTIL I receive official notification from the state. But yesterday their tone was completely different and their explanation was that once you graduate nursing school you are removed immediately from all schedules. Funny because they all knew I graduated nursing school 2 months ago and it was never a problem. Also upon asking for a written policy/procedure they could not produce anything and told me that they just do not have enough time to search my name in a database everyday. I'm excited because it's on to new and better things and it's a new chapter in life; a blessing in disguise possibly :) .. I was just curious as to see if anyone was told this as well upon "unofficial" results of a test.

That's why I said I didn't get it...I worked under my scope of practice before AND after I passed boards TWICE in my career, this occurring last summer-even though I found out that I was supposed to be paid for my higher salary in this occurrence; now they owe me money. I didn't lose my job; I transitioned to a higher position.

Now my previous job didn't remove me from my schedule. I looked for another job; stayed at my job before getting another one and left. The manager and higher ups actually gave me congrats; they didn't tell me I was a liability; they told me they didn't hire LPNs anymore.

I also realize organizations and times change, so it's relative.

My point is IF it isn't a written policy, then it's not a policy-same as the documentation theory.

Sounds like they are laying you off. Start your nursing job search and collect unemployment, if you can.

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This is the case in most facilities in NJ because you are working below your license. You become a liability to the employer.

It stinks. Because once you pass boards and share that info, if they do not hire you as an RN, you become unemployed. It is awful!

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