HELP PLEASE! Received a job offer in NJ but I only have a NY license. What do I do now?

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Hi everyone! Help please!! I'm a new grad RN. I was at work today (LPN). My workplace has a strict policy where they don't want anyone with their phones on them. They need to be in the locker.

Anyways, I just got outta work at 11PM. My phone died while in my bag (had a lot of apps open). So I just got home about a half hour ago. Charge it.. and saw I had a voicemail!!

I listened to it and its from a hospital in NJ with a job offer - the lady informed me they currently have opportunities for new grads. She asked me to call her back so we can further discuss it. Of course its too late for me to call her back at this time. I will call her back tomorrow morning.

So my question is, how do you think this recruiter will take this? On my applications and resume i clearly stated NYS RN. I hope she saw it. I really want a hospital position. I'm a RN with my ASN so getting a job offer in a hospital is like stricking gold to me! Honestly! I would love to work at this hospital.

What should I say to her when I return her phone call tomorrow morning? I googled how long it usually takes for a NJ license endorsement .. it said around a month. Will they be willing to wait this long? What can I say in my defense? I don't want her to get mad/take away the offer.

The only reason I didn't apply for endorsement right away is because 1) I just received my license on July 17th, and 2) Its $300. Thats a lot for a broke college student (with loans) :( So I didn't think it was smart for me to waste $300 on a license and not even have a job.

I don't know what to do now. I don't know what to say to her tomorrow when I call? What can I say so that she doesn't retract the offer?

HELP PLEASE!!

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The best thing to do is be honest. If you go through the hiring process they will need a NJ license number and find out anyway that you dont have one. Just be honest, ask her how often these positions become available, etc. Check with your board of nursing and see if they issue a "temporary license". Some states do for these reasons until permanent license is issued. Also, if you have an offer letter from them soon, the BRN may be able to expedite processing as it will contribute to your livelihood. Worse case scenario, they apologize and advise you to reapply when you are licensed in NJ. You then learn to apply for licensure in any state you wish to work and learn from procrastinating. Good luck to you! I hope it works out! I haven't checked because I am in the West Coast but are NJ and NY part of the compact agreement?

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The best thing to do is be honest. If you go through the hiring process they will need a NJ license number and find out anyway that you dont have one. Just be honest, ask her how often these positions become available, etc. Check with your board of nursing and see if they issue a "temporary license". Some states do for these reasons until permanent license is issued. Also, if you have an offer letter from them soon, the BRN may be able to expedite processing as it will contribute to your livelihood. Worse case scenario, they apologize and advise you to reapply when you are licensed in NJ. You then learn to apply for licensure in any state you wish to work and learn from procrastinating. Good luck to you! I hope it works out! I haven't checked because I am in the West Coast but are NJ and NY part of the compact agreement?

Thank you so much for your input! I think you misunderstood me.. I am/was honest about it. On my resume I have written New York State Registered Professional Nurse # ___ and NYS LPN #___ . Also, all my work experience is in NY. Furthermore, on the online application itself it requires that you enter your license number and state. I did enter my license number and NY as the state. Despite all this, she called me back. I'm just nervous because what if she missed it? Thats why I just wanted to prep myself as to what to say incase she didn't see that I only have my NY license. I hope that it works out! I would love to work in a hospital!

And no =/ unfortunately NY and NJ are not under a compact agreement. Hopefully if my phone call with her goes well tomorrow - and if I ultimately do get offered the position; I will look into whether I can expedite the process or request a temporary license like what you suggested. Thank you so much!! Wish me luck lol.

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Oh I didnt misunderstand you. I was just saying be honest in case she did miss it. Because if she did, and you dont say anything, your final offer is contingent on that and then no deal. Lol.

Gooooooooood luck!! Keep is posted. I am always interested in how things turn out for everyone, good or not not!

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Oh I didnt misunderstand you. I was just saying be honest in case she did miss it. Because if she did, and you dont say anything, your final offer is contingent on that and then no deal. Lol.

Gooooooooood luck!! Keep is posted. I am always interested in how things turn out for everyone, good or not not!

Ohh okay lol.. Yeah of course I will bring it up tomorrow if she doesn't. I will keep you updated what happens tomorrow after my call with her; and if I ultimately do get the position. Thanks again! :)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Is this a job OFFER, or a job INTERVIEW?

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Is this a job OFFER, or a job INTERVIEW?

Yeah I worded it wrong, sorry. It was for a phone interview. Not a job offer

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Oh I didnt misunderstand you. I was just saying be honest in case she did miss it. Because if she did, and you dont say anything, your final offer is contingent on that and then no deal. Lol.

Gooooooooood luck!! Keep is posted. I am always interested in how things turn out for everyone, good or not not!

So I called her back and I can't get the position :(

I left her a voicemail..She called me back within 15 minutes. She stated that she just looked at my application and sees I don't have my NJ license.. and that it is a requirement for their new grad program. So I was right, she didn't see that I don't have my NJ license.

I asked her if I can hold onto her number and call her back since I am in the process of obtaining it and she said sure. She stated they offer it every couple of months.

So yeah.. back to square one. Got so excited for nothing >.

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Just out of curiosity, I wonder if you realize that while you are working as an LPN (and presumably being paid as an LPN) you are held to the standard of practice for an RN? I'm sure you must have been working in this job while in school and now that you've passed the NCLEX-RN you're looking for an RN job. So your current employer is getting an RN while paying for an LPN :(

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Just out of curiosity, I wonder if you realize that while you are working as an LPN (and presumably being paid as an LPN) you are held to the standard of practice for an RN? I'm sure you must have been working in this job while in school and now that you've passed the NCLEX-RN you're looking for an RN job. So your current employer is getting an RN while paying for an LPN :(

Yeah I currently make $22/hr. I used to make $24.50/hr when working evenings. But for my last semester of nursing school, days worked better for my schedule so I switched. Now I'm stuck working days (which I hate) and I'm a RN working as a LPN. I didn't know that I am held up to the standard of practice as a RN. Thats weird. I thought it wasn't until that was my job title. Yeah my current employer gets RN at LPN pay I guess. It sucks. I really am looking for a job elsewhere so I can quit. I got so excited when I got a call from her. Now I'm just disappointed. And its my birthday today. I was so excited and now I'm just sad :( =/

I hope I get a offer from elsewhere. I will keep applying.

As far as my current employer goes, I'm don't think I will be given a RN position there. I spoke more about this is another post. The DON states they want someone with RN experience ..although I worked as a LPN charge nurse when I worked evenings (1.5 yrs) and did lot of the things the RNs usually did (that are in my scope as a LPN). So now idk. Another friend of mine went to school with me and she works at the same place as me as a LPN. She received her license a whole month before I did..and they still haven't offered her a position. Although they went ahead and hired someone from outside.. while theres 2 in-house employees waiting for a job. I've been working at my current place for 2 years. And they decided to hire someone from outside. I can't wait to quit.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

NJ offers neither expedited processing nor temporary licensing. It's 4-8 weeks for endorsement. Background check can delay processing

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Yeah I currently make $22/hr. I used to make $24.50/hr when working evenings. But for my last semester of nursing school, days worked better for my schedule so I switched. Now I'm stuck working days (which I hate) and I'm a RN working as a LPN. I didn't know that I am held up to the standard of practice as a RN. Thats weird. I thought it wasn't until that was my job title. Yeah my current employer gets RN at LPN pay I guess. It sucks. I really am looking for a job elsewhere so I can quit. I got so excited when I got a call from her. Now I'm just disappointed. And its my birthday today. I was so excited and now I'm just sad :( =/

I hope I get a offer from elsewhere. I will keep applying.

As far as my current employer goes, I'm don't think I will be given a RN position there. I spoke more about this is another post. The DON states they want someone with RN experience ..although I worked as a LPN charge nurse when I worked evenings (1.5 yrs) and did lot of the things the RNs usually did (that are in my scope as a LPN). So now idk. Another friend of mine went to school with me and she works at the same place as me as a LPN. She received her license a whole month before I did..and they still haven't offered her a position. Although they went ahead and hired someone from outside.. while theres 2 in-house employees waiting for a job. I've been working at my current place for 2 years. And they decided to hire someone from outside. I can't wait to quit.

Sounds like an awful employer who knows they are taking advantage of their staff. Keep applying. If you are going to apply out of state I would start the process of getting a license there. I know it is expensive, but it doesn't make sense to apply to jobs you cannot have.

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