GN License Disappears After NCLEX

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 14, 2014

By taking NCLEX, you have either demonstrated your competence to practice as a nurse and will receive a license, or you will demonstrate that you do not meet the minimum competency. If you fail, you may not continue to work under your GN permit, which is most likely nationwide and not specific to Texas. In my state, as soon as the NCLEX results, the GN shows as either expired or null and void (expired =fail, null and void = pass). The GN permit is not valid until you pass NCLEX; it is valid until you have shown your level of competence through the NCLEX, whether it is pass or fail.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 14, 2014

Every state that offers a GN or GPN permit nullifies the permit once the NCLEX results are received. You either fail and thus are no longer eligible for a temp permit or pass and convert to a full license. If you fail, you didn't meet the minimum licensing standards and thus are no longer qualified as a GN/GPN.

jkmitchell92 · Oct 14, 2014

Which makes total sense. What I find is the problem is the lack of notice that students receive concerning that situation. I haven't been able to find anything on the NCSBN or Pearson Vue websites that give information on the matter, which means to only way to know that would be to call the BON and just happen to ask, "What are all the things that will happen if I fail" or actually to be in the situation. I think the policy makes sense, but when it's the difference between being surprisingly jobless and being prepared, I think people should know about it. Thanks for the information Rose_Queen!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 14, 2014

jkmitchell92 said:

Which makes total sense. What I find is the problem is the lack of notice that students receive concerning that situation. I haven't been able to find anything on the NCSBN or Pearson Vue websites that give information on the matter, which means to only way to know that would be to call the BON and happen to ask, "What are all the things that will happen if I fail" or actually to be in the situation. I think the policy makes sense, but when it's the difference between being surprisingly jobless and being prepared, I think people should know about it. Thanks for the information Rose_Queen!

It should be on the interim permit application from the BON and the BON website. NCSBN. & Pearson Vue has nothing to do with interim permits.

From TX BON Website:

Quote

Requirements for Graduate Nurse Candidates to Practice Under Temporary Authorization:

By Rule 217.3(a): "A new graduate who completes an accredited basic nursing education program within the United States, its Territories, or Possessions and who applies for initial licensure by examination in Texas may be temporarily authorized to practice nursing as a graduate nurse (GN) or graduate vocational nurse (GVN) pending the results of the licensing examination." This temporary authorization is not renewable and will expire on the earliest date of any of the following: (1) when the candidate passes the NCLEX-PN® or NCLEX-RN® test; (2) when the candidate fails the NCLEX-PN® or NCLEX-RN® test; (3) or on the 75th day following the effective date of the temporary authorization [217.3(2)].

jkmitchell92 · Oct 14, 2014

Ahh, thanks for the information. It seems I didn't dig deep enough. The rules regarding GN licenses aren't taught to students, at least all the students I know. And I think that's a problem. Which I guess is why this site exists. Thanks!

The Texas BON link for practice guidelines for anyone who wants it: https://www.BON.texas.gov/practice_guidelines.asp

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 14, 2014

jkmitchell92 said:

Ahh, thanks for the information. It seems I didn't dig deep enough. The rules regarding GN licenses aren't taught to students, at least all the students I know. And I think that's a problem. Which I guess is why this site exists. Thanks!
The Texas BON link for practice guidelines for anyone who wants it: https://www.BON.texas.gov/practice_guidelines.asp

Does CT still offer GN/GPN permits? I know NY & NJ don't. PA does, plus temp permits for nurses endorsing their license, but it's pretty clear on the expiration and nonrenewal on the PA application. If CT doesn't offer grad nurse permits, perhaps that's why your school didn't go over the info. (Totally guessing here. If CT does offer GN/GPN, it's pretty silly for the school not to review the conditions.)

jkmitchell92 · Oct 14, 2014

I believe CT does. "Section 20-101, Connecticut General Statutes, provides for the temporary practice of graduate nurses, pending the results of the licensing examination for a period not to exceed 90 calendar days after the date of graduation, provided that such graduate nurses are working in hospitals or other organizations where adequate supervision is provided. This temporary practice privilege automatically ceases upon notification that the graduate nurse has failed the licensure examination." Source:http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3121&q=438662

So yea, it is very strange to me. And I worked in my School of Nursing and never knew anything about it.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2014

Many states do not even have a GN because graduating nurses can test immediately and receive results rapidly. GN status was important when Boards were twice yearly, with a 6 to 10-week wait for results.

The rules have always been that one ceases to be a GN when one takes the NCLEX, pass or fail. It should have been taught to you in nursing school. But it surprises me that your hospital was unaware. It decreases the chance of a new grad continuing to practice as a GN falsely.

jkmitchell92 · Oct 14, 2014

caroladybelle said:

Many states do not even have a GN because graduating nurses can test immediately and receive results rapidly. GN status was important when Boards were twice yearly, with a 6 to 10-week wait for results.

The rules have always been that one ceases to be a GN when one takes the NCLEX, pass or fail. It should have been taught to you in nursing school. But it surprises me that your hospital was unaware. It decreases the chance of a new grad continuing to practice as a GN falsely.

Hmm, that's interesting. So what qualifies one to be a GN? Is it not, in some states, graduating from an accredited nursing school? If that's the case, does the NCLEX invalidate your passing of nursing school and being a GN?

elkpark · Oct 14, 2014

"Graduate nurse" status dates back to the days when the boards were only offered twice a year, and it could easily take six weeks or more to get results. So, depending on when you finish school, you could look at a several-month wait before getting licenses. Now that students can test immediately and get results almost instantly, many (most?) states have eliminated GN status entirely and no longer offer temporary permits.

However, the way they work has always been the same; the "graduate nurse" permit is issued assuming you will pass the NCLEX. Once you have taken the NCLEX, pass or fail, the GN permit is no longer suitable. Once you have taken the NCLEX, you are either a licensed RN or someone with a nursing degree but no license (yet), but you're no longer a "graduate nurse."

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2014

Many states have no GN permit; I know Colorado does not. It is a state-by-state decision made by each state BON, and as Caroladybelle said, it was essential back when there were only two tests a year, but now less critical with test dates 5 or 6 times a week. In states without GN permits, you cannot work as a nurse until you are licensed. I think more states are leaning toward doing away with the GN permits now that testing is so quickly scheduled and test results only take two days.