Do you keep your license(s) in your wallet?

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 12, 2009

My state does not issue cards anymore.

My wallet is already overstuffed with store reward cards, health insurance, prescription cards, credit cards, debit card, driver's license, auto insurance card and the kids pictures that I have had to edit what goes in the wallet.

ACLS and BCLS cards stay home.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2009

My state of residence (Texas) stopped issuing the wallet-sized license cards in 2008 in an effort to curb the practice of fraud. Most people who pose as nurse impostors were able to do so by obtaining a real nurse's license, so the risk of fraud is very real.

Carmela5 · Dec 12, 2009

I keep it with at home. All my information is on the nursing board website

oramar · Dec 12, 2009

I used to but I heard stories about stolen licenses so I stopped quite a few years ago. I think that is becoming a moot question because they are going all electronic. I think they should start doing photos like drivers license do because that would solve a lot of problems with nurse impersonators.

Midwest4me · Dec 12, 2009

we were always told you should always have it in your immediate possession. in the 3 states i'm licensed in they send me a wallet and a certificate form of proof of licensure. i do carry the wallet form with me. my bcls etc i keep in a firesafe.

same here, lacie...need it in your immediate possession so i do carry it in my wallet. next year our state will cease printing the cards due to nurse imposter fraud. it seems to me if the bon does that, it can (and should)reduce the cost of the license since they'd no longer have the cost of the plastic material with which to create the cards. somehow, i doubt the cost will ever be lowered....

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2009

I keep BLS, ACLS, and nursing license in our safe at home along with other important papers.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Dec 12, 2009

In California we get the certificate/paper kind and a drivers-licenses sized plastic one. Is there any reason NOT to carry your license on you? I.e. identity theft, fraud ect?

elprup, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2009

I keep a copy of all of mine in my wallet. Originals go in special safe file. That way I have copy if I need it and originals are safe.

elkpark · Dec 12, 2009

I've never heard that I need to have my license immediately available. The only times I've ever needed it was in the past when new employers would need to see it to verify I was licensed, and that's no longer applicable. My state is one that has done away with "physical" licenses, which I think is a good idea. Even when I had the wallet-sized card, I never carried it with me -- kept it someplace safe at home. Why go through the hassle and bother of losing your nursing license, too, in addition to all the credit cards, driver's license, etc., that you actually need to carry daily, if your wallet gets lost or stolen???

Blackheartednurse · Dec 12, 2009

I actually received two of the same license just in two different sizes,one is the wallet size type and the second one is a huge one.So naturally I carry my smaller one in the purse and the bigger one is in a box at my house.

carbaminohemoglobin · Dec 12, 2009

Safe spot at home! I kept my license in my wallet and now... I can't find either of them.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Dec 12, 2009

Nope...keep it in a safe place at home..my state (MA) issues wallet sized paper licenses. I just renewed for the first time, and somehow managed to lose the copy of my first license...but I am at ease with the thought that it is somewhere in the house (just don't remember where I put it!)---because it has never left, except once to give a copy to my employer, and I know that it came home that day. I don't see a need to carry it my wallet as the info is readily available online. I've pronounced once, and I never needed to show my license, just wrote the number (which I have memorized) on the pronouncement form.