Somebody Probably has access to YOUR License Number!

Nurses General Nursing

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Guys,

Just wanted to let you know. That anybody that has the internet can probably get your Nursing liscense number, address, and telephone number from your state's depart. of health website. I don't know what the sites are but for tennessee it's http://www.state.tn.us\health . I looked up and found mom's and come to find out there was a woman practicing under mom's name and liscense number in a different city. It's kind of scary. Mom said that when she graduate back in the "good ole days" they were always told not to give your license number to ANYBODY for ANY reason. Were you guys told that too?

Brett

Specializes in correctional, psych, ICU, CCU, ER.

Yep, it is scary, but very easy for crooks to do. I have a jail full of them. If they put their brains to use, could be CEO's, but this is easier and quicker money.

When my son was in college, last year, it was easier for him to get a drivers license with a 21 year old birthday than it was for his to get his REAL license. :confused:

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

Ok...here is something for some of you who don't think it's possible to get someone else's license. Let's say you lost your license...as in can't find it! And you need a new one. How do you get it?? You write to the board...and tell them you lost it...and to mail it to your new address.

Let's say you want to use someone else's creditials. You could search for a license that has been placed on inactive status, and or has lasped. You send in the activation fee...and any ceu's neccessary, and you get "your" new license.

I don't understand why anyone in this day and age....with all the idenity theif that is going on today...doesn't believe that this stuff is happening.

Something else to think about....and also just as scary! Many people in different jobs ....maybe not as law abiding as we would like to think. Let's take the case of the employee who leaves a HR position, and decides to start her/his own agency. And this person decides to take few files home...or copy them...for thier own use. Now they have information such as, driver's license, nursing license, SSN, address, phone...pic of you for ID purposes...the works. Believe me this happens more times than you would like to think it does! Can you even begin to think about what could happen to that information??? I have worked for agencies, that are no longer in business, and I wonder constantly about my secruity. That is why I prescribe to a service that notifies me with any checks to my credit file...and any new accounts! I also have an idenity protection service. Too much information is readily available today....and you can't protect yourself enough IMHO..:cool:

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Specializes in correctional-CCHCP/detox nurse, DOULA-Birth Assist.

POST OFFICE BOX !!!!!!!!!

That is what I tell everyone to use.

If they need to know my name fine, but nobody at the state board needs to know where I leave. None of my patients needs to know where I live and they don't have any reason to call me. I have a jail full of patients (politicaly correct) but they can see the nurse on duty if there is a problem.

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

If you work at a hospital or facility that does a background check...and most do....they will need to know your address...and possiblity depending on the background check...your addresses for the last 5 to 10yrs!

And having a PO Box...does not stop your mail from being misdirected. Do you realize that anyone can have your mail sent to them...just by knowing your PO Box/address???

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a private mail service is probably a better choice than a po box at the local post office.

just because you have a us postal service post office box doesn't mean no one can get your physical address.

there is a form to fill out to request the physical address that you used when you filled out the po box application -- the form goes to the postmaster and then is mailed back to the person asking for the address .......... and you never know it happened.

to make a long story short ........i was being traced by a rather crazy indidvidual, and the post office (fortunately) mistakenly replied to my address with the other name.

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Specializes in Everything but psych!.

When I moved from MI to CA, not only did I have to provide all the proof of license, CPR, grade transcripts, birth certificate, driver's license, and marriage certificate, but I also had to be fingerprinted! Has anyone else gone through that? I guess now if my fingerprints are found at a crime scene, they'll know it's me. Good thing I'm not a criminal!

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California requires fingerprints for licensure and you must also provide your social security number and mother's maiden name. if your actual license is lost or stolen they ask for all this information in order to obtain another one. Most state nursing boards are aware of the potential for idendity theft and are working on trying to provide safeguards.

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

Hi fiestynurse

Unfortunately...you do not need to provide fingerprints to get a replacement license. All you need is a form you can download from their online site, and $25.00...:eek:! The only thing a person would need to know is your SSN, and with idenity thief....they would already have that. Please see the example I posted earlier of your HR files falling into the wrong hands! And you don't even need that for other states where I'm licensed in. You can just write, and send in the money...:o

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.
Originally posted by Audreyfay

When I moved from MI to CA, not only did I have to provide all the proof of license, CPR, grade transcripts, birth certificate, driver's license, and marriage certificate, but I also had to be fingerprinted! Has anyone else gone through that? I guess now if my fingerprints are found at a crime scene, they'll know it's me. Good thing I'm not a criminal!

Anyone who has stolen your idenity...can get all of these thngs wih no problem what so ever. Unless someone has been fingerprinted before...having the theif be fingerprinted isn't going to keep them from getting your license...unless they already have a record!:o

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I read in the newspaper that identity theft is the new up and coming crime, isn't that scary.

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Specializes in Everything except surgery.

Did you know that you go online to at least one of the SBN sites and put in any last name, and find out the name of a license nurse, the city and state, the license number , AND whether or not it's active or expired??? Scary stuff!!!

There is also a statement from the board that states...a nurse's address is a matter of public record, and ANYONE who pays a nominal fee...can get it!The board however reccomends that the licensee give the board their employer as their address for the record! On my license my employer's address is the address the board has! Where ever I am, and it's time to renew...and I don't happen to still be with that company...I call the board and ask for the renewal to be sent to the address where I am! They also said you can't use a PO Box as your address...only your real address or your employers!

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

The State Board of Registered Nursing, in California at least, is NOT a service to or for nurses but IS part of consumer protection (Consumer Affairs). It is unrealistic to think that being useful to or helping out nurses in any way is a part of its function, because it is NOT. It is set up only in order to (supposedly) protect consumers.

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