Can anyone explain "deficiency in hours to be discussed at Board Meeting" ?

letina · Oct 2, 2011

OK, so now I have seen the letter my friend received from Florida BON. It states "you do not meet the minimum number of hours in pediatrics and obstetrics"

Just wondering why they plan to review her case at their board meeting? If she does not meet the minimum requirements, I would have thought it would be a "no" or at least suggest she make up the hours.

Any thoughts anyone?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

It appears every candidate that has an potential denial is discussed at the board meeting. Some are requested to take a course, some are flatly denied. The power to deny an applicant is not one person's decision, but the board's. If your friend can attend, I would encourage her to attend so she understands the process. The board meeting is part of this process.

Although your friend's husband has a work visa, these are time limited and from my personal experience, they are rarely extended due to the recession. Even if approved your friend has to take the NCLEX and pass which under the best situation could be a few months or it could take more. Since the clock is running she may not have much time to find employment before she leaves.

letina · Oct 5, 2011

Thanks :)

My friend's husband has an L1 visa and his company are petitioning him for a green card, and I believe that particular category is not subject to retrogression or a cap on numbers. As things are right now, their visas (L1 and L2) are valid until September 2013.

So, aside from the visa issue, my friend plans to attend the board meeting to hear her case discussed. Do you know if she will have the opportunity to speak at the meeting? She is prepared for the fact she may need to do some classes to make up the deficient hours.

If you have any further advice it would be much appreciated. She has tried to get some answers from the BON but they are being rather vague and will only say it will be discussed at the meeting.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 5, 2011

Thanks :)
My friend's husband has an L1 visa and his company are petitioning him for a green card, and I believe that particular category is not subject to retrogression or a cap on numbers. As things are right now, their visas (L1 and L2) are valid until September 2013.
So, aside from the visa issue, my friend plans to attend the board meeting to hear her case discussed. Do you know if she will have the opportunity to speak at the meeting? She is prepared for the fact she may need to do some classes to make up the deficient hours.
If you have any further advice it would be much appreciated. She has tried to get some answers from the BON but they are being rather vague and will only say it will be discussed at the meeting.

At my husband's employer all L1 visas were denied renewal. With the US economy in such tough shape an international company is only allowed so much time. Considering it is almost 2012, and you friend has not passed the NCLEX yet, it would be hard for her to find employment for one year ( plus all the extra paper work).

Trouble is most nursing schools have intergrated their programs, meaning pedi and ob is not a unique course. Years ago when the test was broken down into certain subjects, it was easier to pick up a course, now I would think it would be min. one year and most places have a waiting line. The current wait for a green card is retrogessed to 2005 I believe, so I don't think the L visa will hold the family over.

As far as talking at the board, I would advise your friend to hire an attorney, I don't think she can speak unless she is on the agenda. Legal counsel can help with this.

letina · Nov 19, 2011

{quote=Ginger's Mom;5708877]At my husband's employer all L1 visas were denied renewal. With the US economy in such tough shape an international company is only allowed so much time. Considering it is almost 2012, and you friend has not passed the NCLEX yet, it would be hard for her to find employment for one year ( plus all the extra paper work).

Trouble is most nursing schools have intergrated their programs, meaning pedi and ob is not a unique course. Years ago when the test was broken down into certain subjects, it was easier to pick up a course, now I would think it would be min. one year and most places have a waiting line. The current wait for a green card is retrogessed to 2005 I believe, so I don't think the L visa will hold the family over.

As far as talking at the board, I would advise your friend to hire an attorney, I don't think she can speak unless she is on the agenda. Legal counsel can help with this.

Thanks Ginger's Mom for your contribution to the thread :hug:

I'm sorry for the people who got denied their L1 renewals. They must be very disappointed.

My friend's L2 is good through September 2013 and she has already been networking with the hospital she wants to work at. They have been very supportive of her and actually have offered her a position as a PCT whilst the RN licensing issue is hopefully being resolved. This is a godsend to her, as at least she will be able to familiarise herself with the culture and how we work here.

Her husband's company have filed I-140 petition for him under the EB1© category which is current right now and has been for a while. His company lawyer said he is confident the I-140 will be approved well before this current L1 expires. His experience says this particular category have been getting approved in approx 6 months. So my friend could in fact have a green card in about a year if all goes well.

Regarding the attendance at the BON meeting, she still plans to go and has made some notes in preparation for making a statement to plead her case. Does she have to let them know to put her on the agenda? Or can she just ask to speak when her case comes up? Not sure she would really need a lawyer, it's not a disciplinary matter. What do you think?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2011

Looks like your friend will be sworn in and allowed to speak. I would have her prepared to be able to present her hours in pedi and ob.

This must include theory and clinical hours done concurrently, if there was a glitch in her transcript this would be the time to correct the record. If she is not able to provide these hours, she will not be able to take the NCLEX. If I was her and I did not have pedi and ob I would research where I could take these remedial courses.

My understanding is that in UK nurses specialize in an area, and unless your friend was trained in the old program she will not meet the criteria.

caliotter3 · Nov 20, 2011

Suggest your friend check out the referral link at TAANA, to find an attorney who is experienced in dealing with the nursing board. http://www.taana.org.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Dec 2, 2011

How did your friend do at the hearing?

letina · Dec 5, 2011

How did your friend do at the hearing?

She did not get ATT due to the deficient hours in OB and peds. However, the board members all seemed very willing to try assist her and this was their judgement, after discussion and questioning her about her UK training.....

They will provide her a letter to apply for a place on a remedial course, the one for NCLEX takers who have failed the exam 3 times. The course is 80 hours theory and 96 hours practical, and she has 12 months to complete this. As soon as she can provide the BON with proof of completion and passing, they will then issue her ATT for NCLEX RN.

My friend is very happy with the decision, and I personally think it's a better situation than getting ATT right away as she will have the opportunity to study and review with the guidance of an instructor. The practical experience will be good for her too, she will get a flavor of floor nursing in the US.

Thanks for asking :)

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Dec 5, 2011

She did not get ATT due to the deficient hours in OB and peds. However, the board members all seemed very willing to try assist her and this was their judgement, after discussion and questioning her about her UK training.....
They will provide her a letter to apply for a place on a remedial course, the one for NCLEX takers who have failed the exam 3 times. The course is 80 hours theory and 96 hours practical, and she has 12 months to complete this. As soon as she can provide the BON with proof of completion and passing, they will then issue her ATT for NCLEX RN.
My friend is very happy with the decision, and I personally think it's a better situation than getting ATT right away as she will have the opportunity to study and review with the guidance of an instructor. The practical experience will be good for her too, she will get a flavor of floor nursing in the US.
Thanks for asking :)

I agree, this seems to be the best outcome. Also she can network with the instructors who can guide her to the best possible review strategy for her. Glad the board treated like a professional and gave her reasonable advice.

Rey Missy · Dec 19, 2016

Hi letina, you seem very familiar about this issue, I have the same problem lacking hours in theory and clinical. My question is no matter how many hours lacking, do we need to take full courses in remedial course that 80 hours theory and 96 hours clinical?

How long usually remedial course takes? I heard 2-3 months is that true?

I greatly appreciate your info.

thanks my dear.