Is your Hospital requiring a copy of your diploma or transcripts?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So my hospital is telling me that CMS is now requiring all licensed RNs in the ICU to have a copy of their diploma or transcripts on file in HR proving they graduated from nursing school.

If you have a license, doesn't the state issuing the license do a background check and make sure the requirements (graduation) are met prior to issuing a license?!

If CMS is nationwide, then we should all have to do this correct?

Is everyone diggin their diploma out to copy when they have been licensed for 20 years?

Thanks!!

Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

CHAP, which is an accrediting body for home care agencies (similar to JHACO) requires that HR has a copy of each nurses diploma. It has been this way for at least 5 years, maybe more.

I was not happy when I had to provide transcripts from my RN program to my employer when I got a different job last year. I submitted transcripts to the BON before I was issued an ATT, so why do the employers require it, too? Do unit clerks, MDs or even physical therapists or social workers have to do the same thing??

Do unit clerks, MDs or even physical therapists or social workers have to do the same thing??

At my hospital, unit clerks require no specialized training or education, so no to them, but yes to the others.

Specializes in kids.
We were told anyone who does any type of testing (urine dipstick pregnancy, bedside blood glucose, iStat labs) must have their diploma on file.

I bet it is a requirement for institutions that are governed by CLIA (credentialing agency for labs in offices) to provide this documentation. Also maybe the Joint Commission?

Specializes in High-risk OB.

I don't mean to be obtuse but what lab could possibly require your college degree????

I thought it was rather ridiculous myself, but goodness knows my place of employment has done its share of ridiculous things in the past 6 months or so. Many people questioned it, but my original post has the reason that they gave us. I did look up information on it...found an article back from 2010. However, all of a sudden, we are required to give a copy if we want to be able to perform the test at the bedside. If not, we have to send the specimen to lab and let them read it....which is really dumb because it takes all of 2 seconds to read it, AND we require competencies on the test every year, so it's not like we don't know what we're doing.

A nurse I work with told me about one of the best nurses she knew years ago. That nurse broke up with her boyfriend and he called the facility to tell them that she dosn't even have a license and never went to nursing school. They checked it out and turns out he was telling the truth. She had been using someone else's license for years. I'm sure this isn't common but I can understand the reasoning behind them wanting proof.

My new employer asked for proof of graduation and a photo of my diploma was enough. I got my ADN 3 years ago and my BSN last December.

Specializes in Hopefully NICU.

In North Mississippi there are quite a few "RN" and "F lobotomist" that are trained by their friends to help them get jobs. Veeeerrryyyy scary! My mother in law had a terrible experience with this. The poor girl was digging around in her arm so my M-I-L asked if she was new and she flat out said "NO my friend taught me how to do this so I could get a job" I understand the economy is in the crapper and it is hard to find a job around here but jeez....

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I am so proud of my school transcripts I bring them to interviews. :) I would love to leave a copy with HR or anyone else that wanted them.

Specializes in Urology, ENT.
In North Mississippi there are quite a few "RN" and "F lobotomist" that are trained by their friends to help them get jobs. Veeeerrryyyy scary! My mother in law had a terrible experience with this. The poor girl was digging around in her arm so my M-I-L asked if she was new and she flat out said "NO my friend taught me how to do this so I could get a job" I understand the economy is in the crapper and it is hard to find a job around here but jeez....

...that really scares me.

Specializes in ED.

So I went back into my emails, and found that this is required by CAP. Anyone that does cardiac bedside markers, ISTAT machines, Coaguchecks, etc, has to submit their diplomas. I guess I don't see it as a big deal.

I don't see why they need this. TX does not issue paper licenses anymore. Employers have to verify licenses online with the State Board of Nursing. I don't see how anyone can commit fraud under this system, unless the employer doesn't actually do the verification with the board.

+ Add a Comment