How soon can you work?

suzanne4, RN · Aug 24, 2005

Most hospitals require an actual license number that they can verify. Passing NCLEX doesn't mean that you necessarily have a license in your name immediately. Until that time, you are unlicensed.

Annointed_RNStudent · Aug 24, 2005

in NC, after you pass the NCLEX the hospital can verify your score, so you don't neccessarily have to wait from state to state, unless it has changed, or I have been misinformed!

I know of a nurse who started working the same week she passed the NCLEX~

suzanne4, RN · Aug 24, 2005

It depends on the state, as well as the facility. Some require that you have the actual license number before you begin..........and some states will post a license number that same night, and others can take a week or two.

California does not have early notification, and you usually do not find out until at least one week after taking the exam, some have waited almost one month.

Many facilities want to see that license number.................

suzanne4, RN · Aug 24, 2005

In many states, you can actually begin work on an interim permit before you even take your boards. And with some that post right away, you could begin the next day...............but again there are fifty states, and each has their own rukles.

Larry77, RN · Aug 29, 2005

Just passing NCLEX does not make you an LPN/LVN or an RN...you have to have your license number to officially claim these titles. There are many reasons why your state might not give you a license, for example you could be a felon and take your NCLEX, pass, and be denied licensure

I would wonder about a facility if they allowed me to work under a title that I don't officially have.

In my state, Washington, I called my nursing board the next business day after I took my NCLEX for both LPN, and RN...they told me right then that I passed and I was able to go to their website and print out my proof of licensure.

I know that not all states have a nursing board like ours but I would not recommend working without a license even if you know you passed your exam.

suzanne4, RN · Aug 29, 2005

If a BON was not going to approve you getting a license, then they owuld never initially approve you to sit for NCLEX. Remember that in the letter that you get form the BON, it states that you have met all requirements for licensure, except for the exam.

But as I keep stating, until you have a number, you do not have a license......passing the exam does not give you a license instantly, some states take a few weekds before you get the number, even on line.

Larry77, RN · Aug 29, 2005

The reason why I said that was because it happened to a friend of mine who was able to sit for the NCLEX but had to fight to get his license. They found an old gross misdemeanor when he was 18...so he had to right a letter explaining what happened and prove that he finished all his probation requirements.

Maybe that was a strange case, and they usually find out ahead of time I don't know, I just know it took him over 3 months to get his license when all of his classmates including myself got ours right away.

oldnurse newnurse · Aug 30, 2005

The reason why I said that was because it happened to a friend of mine who was able to sit for the NCLEX but had to fight to get his license. They found an old gross misdemeanor when he was 18...so he had to right a letter explaining what happened and prove that he finished all his probation requirements.
Maybe that was a strange case, and they usually find out ahead of time I don't know, I just know it took him over 3 months to get his license when all of his classmates including myself got ours right away.

It seems to me that this also depends on the state you are in. My frieend graduated and passed boards here in IL. no problems even was working had gotten her license and everything. She moved to Savannah, Georgia and they told she had a minor arrest record nad that she could not practice in the state of Georgia as a nurse. She was hurt and devastated but couldn't do anything she had just moved there after getting married so until this day 6 years later she does not work as a nurse as long as she's there but when she comes here to visit she works with no problem. Go figure.

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Sep 3, 2005

I currently work as a student nurse. They told me when I graduate I would be bumped up to level 4 (advanced level) student. They will begin to train me with RN duties at that time (working with a nurse), until I pass boards. Then I will get the title and pay increase. You may want to consider finding a student job so you can familiarize yourself with the unit and duties ahead of time.

JentheRN05, RN · Sep 3, 2005

In Indiana, when you take the test, the results are immediately accessible to your employer. Mine had my results 36 hours before I knew them. But weren't allowed to tell me. They also had my licence number for my record. So I was working as a nurse for about 2 weeks before I passed boards :) Got my actual physical license the Friday after I took the test (I took it on a Monday). So that was too cool!

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Sep 3, 2005

Wow- I'm in Indiana. I don't like the idea of my employer knowing before me. I want to know first and then tell them! :w00t:

In Indiana, when you take the test, the results are immediately accessible to your employer. Mine had my results 36 hours before I knew them. But weren't allowed to tell me. They also had my licence number for my record. So I was working as a nurse for about 2 weeks before I passed boards :) Got my actual physical license the Friday after I took the test (I took it on a Monday). So that was too cool!