can i work while waiting for diploma

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

You can not work until you pass your NCLEX ( depending on the state). Most schools will send the diploma in a short time ( less than 4 weeks) but you can get a letter citing you have completed the degree requirments.

If your goal is to work as a RN you need to complete the process. Also I would consult your school since they should have advised you of all this.

Michifura · Jan 4, 2009

I would think it depends on the State you live in and the facility you are thinking of working for. Where I work, we hire new grads as Nurse Externs, pair them up with an RN - their preceptor, and they have 30 days to take the NCLEX.

Best of Luck!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

Some states allow graduate nurses (nurses who have graduated but have not yet passed the NCLEX) to work. You need to check with your state. If you cannot work as a GN, then you could take a temp job doing something else until you have your license.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Jan 4, 2009

It depends on the state. In MA, you can't work as a nurse until you pass the NCLEX. PA has a temporary practice permit that lets you do most nursing stuff for 90 days after graduation. CT and TX also have "graduate nurses," though I don't know the details.

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

You should call the BON for your state and ask. Some states have GN wish are allowed to work before taking the NCLEX but may be allowed to perform all the skills taught in school. GN status is only allowed before taking the NCLEX the first time. If you fail you aren't able to get GN status again. Some places will let you get around this by hiring you as a nurse extern or PCT until you pass the NCLEX. Good luck!!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 5, 2009

I hear that some people obtain a permit to work, but that still means that the school has to say that you successfully graduated from their program. My professors actually tried to dissuade us from doing that, though, because some people get confused with real world nursing versus textbook; and what has happened, is that the nurse working on permit observes things that are not taught in school and uses those wrong concepts when answering NCLEX questions. The other thing is that (God forbid), if the permit nurse fails NCLEX, they are either terminated immediately or they are reduced to work as CNAs. I suppose that the BON notifies the facility that the permit nurse failed...but not sure.

sunray12 · Jan 5, 2009

I hear that some people obtain a permit to work, but that still means that the school has to say that you successfully graduated from their program. My professors actually tried to dissuade us from doing that, though, because some people get confused with real world nursing versus textbook; and what has happened, is that the nurse working on permit observes things that are not taught in school and uses those wrong concepts when answering NCLEX questions. The other thing is that (God forbid), if the permit nurse fails NCLEX, they are either terminated immediately or they are reduced to work as CNAs. I suppose that the BON notifies the facility that the permit nurse failed...but not sure.

Well IMO if OP just wants to work as opposed to sitting at home in limbo then there's nothing wrong with doing CNA, or PCT type work while she waits for her diploma and license. On the bright side if you're not working as a GN then at least you won't have to deal with the stress of being demoted if you don't pass the NCLEX on your first try.

IA with the others who say contact your school or the BON to get a definitive answer on what you can/cannot do.

I would not take temp work that was not directly related to nursing.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

You should call the BON for your state and ask. Some states have GN wish are allowed to work before taking the NCLEX but may be allowed to perform all the skills taught in school. GN status is only allowed before taking the NCLEX the first time. If you fail you aren't able to get GN status again. Some places will let you get around this by hiring you as a nurse extern or PCT until you pass the NCLEX. Good luck!!

This is what my state does. You can work as a GN, you can start your nurse training in the meantime. We have 90 days to take and pass NCLEX. I remember that I had to have someone cosign my paperwork until I passed NCLEX. You have a GN license and have to submit the paperwork for that in your last semester.

I waited a while too, to take my boards. Graduated May 19, took them August 2, 2006. The few people that failed NCLEX in my GN group took them right away. I passed on my first try but even if I had failed, I would have just gone back to work as a surgical technologist. I didn't get much of a pay jump either when I became a nurse..about 1.75 an hour. We did get a $1000 check for passing our boards from the hospital. Obviously, this was when the economy was in better shape!