general questions about graduate nurse title...

[IHeartPeds87]

Hi! I had a couple questions about the graduate nurse title. First off, I believe that a graduate nurse is a student who has passed nursing school but has not yet taken the nclex...is this correct? Also, if that is true, then if you take a graduate nurse position are you guaranteed an RN position upon passing the nclex? or is this simply temporary work until you take the nclex? any information would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

When I graduated in '92 I was a graduate nurse (GN) until I took the NCLEX (there were only 2 opportunities to take it every year, February and July). If I would not have passed I would have gone back to being a CNA and my orientation as a GN would have been over.

Not sure the practice today.

otessa

[soozabel]

It's basically what was said above. You are a GN when you graduate, RN when you pass boards. You would need to find out specifically what your facility states, but it is likely that when hired as a GN, once you pass the boards they will keep you as an RN. However, if you do not pass the NCLEX within a specified timeframe (dependant upon your employer) you either keep your title as GN or you are demoted to NA until you pass. Check it out with your facility.

[heymiss]

I just graduated in May, I started at my hospital as a GN until I passed my NCLEX. If I wouldnt have passed boards, they keep you on as a tech until you do then bump you back up to RN status.

[Moogie]

However, if you do not pass the NCLEX within a specified timeframe (dependant upon your employer) you either keep your title as GN or you are demoted to NA until you pass. Check it out with your facility.

I don't think it is dependent on the facility; rather, it should be spelled out in each state's nurse practice act. In Minnesota, for example, the graduate nurse permit expires within sixty days of issue or as soon as the applicant receives the results of his/her NCLEX, whichever occurs first. If the applicant passes NCLEX, he/she is referred to as an RN or LPN; if he/she does not pass, he/she can no longer practice under a graduate nurse (or graduate practical nurse) permit. (Source: Minnesota Board of Nursing http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Nursing/Practicing_Nursing_with_a_Graduate_Permit_022304124212_Practicing%20Graduate%20PermitFAQ.pdf)

If an LPN goes through an RN program and does not pass NCLEX-RN, he/she cannot legally, at least in this state, continue to sign "GN" behind his/her name until successfully passing the exam.

I am pretty sure it's like that in other states. If a facility tells a nurse otherwise, it would behoove that nurse to find out for certain, lest his/her future licensure be jeopardized.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

When I graduated in '92 I was a graduate nurse (GN) until I took the NCLEX (there were only 2 opportunities to take it every year, February and July). If I would not have passed I would have gone back to being a CNA and my orientation as a GN would have been over.

Not sure the practice today.

otessa

OMG...remember the torture of waiting 2 months or MORE????? for your results????

UGH. I hated it.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

Not many places still hire GNs because they do not want to waste the money to train some one if they fail the NCLEX. My friend is on IP down in the Bay Area and if he fails the NCLEX he looses his IP and can no longer work until he passes his boards.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

A GN is a nurse who has graduated from nursing school, but hasn't taken the boards. How long they can work, and what they can do, depends on the state. Not all states have them; Massachusetts eliminated GNs in 1994.

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

Not many places still hire GNs because they do not want to waste the money to train some one if they fail the NCLEX. My friend is on IP down in the Bay Area and if he fails the NCLEX he looses his IP and can no longer work until he passes his boards.

That depends on your state..my state still has GNs-they have 90 days to pass the NCLEX.