How to file complaint against IL BON?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2006

I would think you could direct any complaints of service to the director. Either the BON director or the IDPR director. But, as usual those who make the rules usually do for a reason.

Maybe there is a logical explaination for the problem you are having if you find the right person. Maybe a inquiry would be more fruitful than a complaint. JMO

lizzyd · Nov 21, 2006

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I wanted to file a complaint because even before I arrived in IL, I was warned that it would take "forever" to receive a license by endorsement. It has been over 3 months and I am still waiting for my TEMPORARY license. They have lost pages of my application (which I had to resubmit), they are weeks behind, the staff is rude and impatient when you call to check on status etc. Last week, they told me that, they will, "take as long as they feel like taking". That to me, is an unacceptable answer. I know a lot of people have had problems with them, but it seems like no one has ever tried to do anything about it. I just feel like they are taking advantage of the fact that no one will say anything out of fear that their file will get "misplaced". If may be due to understaffing, a poor system, human error, or a combination of many factors. I don't even care that much about my license personally, since my new job says that I can keep working under another nurse until it is processed. I just think that considering the nursing shortage, processing new nurses should be a priority and this issue should be brought to someone's attention so that it can be remedied.

Mulan · Nov 21, 2006

Can you file a complaint with the governor's office?

That's what I would do in my state. I would give them a call and if they couldn't help, which I think they could, I would ask who I should file a complaint with.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2006

You know actually, the Illinois Better Business Bureau may be able to help or send you to someone who could. But unfortunately, im not really sure who except the head of the department you would take your issues up with.

This state seems notoriously slow when it comes to processing anything. Unless its an election year.

I was trying to claim some money listed as my fathers from the State Treasurers office (you know the found money thing). When i called and finally got someone,, they told me what i needed to submit and that i would get paperwork, but then proceded to tell me that they were backlogged over a year and a half. But low and behold,, the election campaigns started and i had it cleared up in less than 6 months.

BSNtobe2009 · Nov 23, 2006

You need to contact the office of the Governor and your State Senator (not US Senator) that serves you area. You would be suprised on how quickly things get done.

They are essentially, putting you out of work, and some of the higher positions in different states are APPOINTED either by the Governor's office directly, or by people the Governor appoints...so the politics does trickle downhill.

Write a very professional letter to both members. Name exact names, dates, etc. I never, as a matter of common practice, conduct any personal business with anyone without getting their name at the start of the conversation....a great time to get it is WHEN THEY ASK FOR YOURS. If it's a common name, and they say they don't give out last names, get an employee number or some other identifying information from them.

The BBB is for for-profit and not-for-profit businesses. The BON is a government entity.

PS: If it was taking me that long to get it...I would probably be taking a road trip to find out what was going on. The phone is like the internet...some people have bigger B***s when someone isn't standing in front of them.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 23, 2006

Hi,
Thanks for replying. I wanted to file a complaint because even before I arrived in IL, I was warned that it would take "forever" to receive a license by endorsement. It has been over 3 months and I am still waiting for my TEMPORARY license. They have lost pages of my application (which I had to resubmit), they are weeks behind, the staff is rude and impatient when you call to check on status etc. Last week, they told me that, they will, "take as long as they feel like taking". That to me, is an unacceptable answer. I know a lot of people have had problems with them, but it seems like no one has ever tried to do anything about it. I just feel like they are taking advantage of the fact that no one will say anything out of fear that their file will get "misplaced". If may be due to understaffing, a poor system, human error, or a combination of many factors. I don't even care that much about my license personally, since my new job says that I can keep working under another nurse until it is processed. I just think that considering the nursing shortage, processing new nurses should be a priority and this issue should be brought to someone's attention so that it can be remedied.

Sorry, but that is well known fact and they do not hide it. They have every right to check out every nurse throroughly and that is their choice, and their responsiblity.

But you may wish to be very cautious about what you are doing. If you do not have at least a temporary license from them, then you are practicing without a license, and that is grounds for never getting a license from them. Does not matter what the facility tells you, you are working in a state without even having a temporary license from them, and g-d forbid that there is ever an issue with anything, it is you that will be up a creek without a paddle. The facility could also be fined for permitting you to work without even a temporary license in hand.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 24, 2006

I totally agree with Suzanne. I too am licensed in IL after moving from IN. It did take several months for the licensure to go through and it was a hassle. However, I have been licensed in other states too and every state has its quirks.

Working without the benefit of IL licensure in IL may ensure you never get licensed in ANY state. Your employer can't choose which rules to obey and which to disregard. Believe me, they won't be standing in your corner as you face the review board.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 24, 2006

:yeahthat:

If you've already taken up residency in IL, contacting local state representative/senator helps cut state government red tape.

If many bb members have experienced same thing, then write a letter to CHAIR of IDPR along with above.

One CANNOT practice as a nursing professional without a temporary permit or license in a different state than originally licensed unless one has a compact member state license. To do so is FRAUD. You can only work in tech type position, are unable to sign RN/LPN after name on charts too.....

Please review what you wrote and protect your future license.

tddowney · Nov 24, 2006

"I just think that considering the nursing shortage, processing new nurses should be a priority and this issue should be brought to someone's attention so that it can be remedied."

You misunderstand the primary mission of a bureaucracy. It is to perpetuate itself, and all other considerations are secondary.

lizzyd · Nov 24, 2006

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll send a copy of my complaint letter to all the people suggested here. In response to protecting my license- I think you misunderstood. When I said I don't care about my license, I meant that I'm not complaining merely for personal reasons. I spent a lot of time and money getting my license, obviously it matters. I'm not actually working on the floor yet, I'm in training classes for another several weeks. I'm not signing my name on any charts or forms bc we are practicing on dummies. Hopefully, I'll have my temporary license by the time I finish the hospital classes in 6 weeks. I have not read anywhere that you're not allowed to be in training classes with license pending, since there is not patient contact.

Suzanne- I agree with you that doing a thorough check on every nurse is their job. If that really was what all the time was spent on, I would not even think of complaining. However, my original application was not even opened until 6+ weeks after it reached the office. The forms I resubmitted took 4+ weeks to be acknowledged as received. Their website says that a temporary license is issued 2 weeks after their system receives the application. That's why I was saying that it's a combination of a poor system and understaffing (or laziness, I prefer to think it's the other two reasons).

augigi, CNS · Nov 24, 2006

I wouldn't think it would matter if you were training, if you were hired and being paid as an RN. What does your paperwork say you were hired as?