got my license today,,,is it really just this piece of paper?

caliotter3 · Dec 6, 2009

My state changed the licenses to a plastic card, like a credit card. Just take the small part with you. The employer will verify your license anyway so it doesn't matter which one you show them. Congratulations on getting that important piece of paper!

Ace587RN, RN · Dec 6, 2009

im from FL mines a piece of paper, like my BLS/ACLS cards

elkpark · Dec 6, 2009

States are now moving to a "paperless" licensure system -- no paper or plastic "physical" license at all. The states that haven't done so yet will probably be doing so in the next several years. State regulatory agencies and the Feds require hospitals and other healthcare employers to verify licenses directly through the BON website, so showing employers your license is becoming obsolete (many employers still ask to see it, out of habit, but it's an empty gesture -- they still have to verify it through the BON). States will probably continue to issue the "decorative," oversized licenses suitable for framing on initial licensure, but the ol' wallet-sized cards are on their way out.

cebuana_nurse · Dec 6, 2009

Me too! I'm licensed at VT. I was surprised that it looked like a check with VT seal on it. I was kinda hoping for an ID card like the one I have from the Philippines. I did brought it with me when I applied for a job recently but the HR said that they're just gonna look it up online. Too bad I didn't got the job, since they want my credentials to be evaluated. Geez! Paid almost $500 for credential evaluation and license endorsement only. And more waiting..:angryfire

luckystars327 · Dec 6, 2009

thanks for the help i appreciate it! I guess i will go get the wallet size version laminated it is so thin it will get ruined in my wallet if i dont! LOL...and the picture that was send with the state application im guessing they just have that on file? I was thinking the license would look somewhat like my CNA one did before i became a nurse and thought my picture would be on it? guess i was wrong LOL

elkpark · Dec 7, 2009

thanks for the help i appreciate it! I guess i will go get the wallet size version laminated it is so thin it will get ruined in my wallet if i dont! LOL...and the picture that was send with the state application im guessing they just have that on file? I was thinking the license would look somewhat like my CNA one did before i became a nurse and thought my picture would be on it? guess i was wrong LOL

Maybe I'm an outlier, but, even when I had a "wallet-sized" paper or plastic license, I never carried it in my wallet -- I kept it stored in a safe place at home, and took it out on the rare occasions that I needed it (e.g., to show to a new employer). Why risk losing your nursing license, too (on top of your driver's license and credit cards), if your wallet gets lost or stolen? It's not like the license is useful for anything in everyday life ...

Ms.SJnurse2b, LPN · Dec 8, 2009

I'm also from NJ and mines came in looking like a paycheck. Lol. But yes they usually wanna see the cards (employers). Thats what I take and yes get it laminated to!

Ace587RN, RN · Dec 8, 2009

when i applied just a few days ago, the hospital wanted to see the actual license on hand before taking in the copy

elkpark · Dec 9, 2009

Many hospitals are still asking to see licenses because that's the way they've always done things, but that is no longer considered adequate verification of licensure by the various regulatory/accrediting agencies. I worked as a hospital surveyor for my state and the Feds for several years and, even then (several years ago, now), when we checked the personnel files to ensure they were verifying licenses, if they had photocopies of the licenses (as everyone has always done) but didn't have documentation that they had verified the licenses directly with the BON (via the website verification function), they got cited for failure to verify licenses. The whole "we need to see your license" thing is slowly dying out -- it's completely gone in the states (like mine) that no longer issue paper or plastic licenses, and that is the direction the entire nursing community is going.