I changed my last name right before graduation ;(

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2011

Go with the licensing board, they're the ones issuing it. Most forms have a space for maiden and married names. If not, put your maiden name in the middle name slot.

Chicago, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

Go with the licensing board, they're the ones issuing it. Most forms have a space for maiden and married names. If not, put your maiden name in the middle name slot.

I would definitely follow with the nursing board, because they are issuing the license. However, do not list your maiden name as your middle name. There will be an option for maiden names, and when they contact your school for verification, there will be no mistaking that you are who you are.

Simply Complicated · Jan 17, 2011

Your nursing license needs to be in your current legal name. So you should file everything in your "new" last name. Any paperwork should always ask about your maiden name, which is where it would clarity why your school records are in a different name.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

Your school needs to document and use your new name. That should be on your diploma. Did you make a formal request or just write a note. In my state the Department of Health handles thes forms. In others perhaps another branch does.

ChloBear · Jan 17, 2011

My situation was slightly different. When I registered to take boards, I wasn't married yet, so I used my maiden name. I passed the test in September and got married in October. I purposely waited until after I changed my name to send in the application for the actual license because I'd have to change it anyway. It didn't matter that I had registered with my maiden name. I just sent a copy of my marriage license along with my application. In your case, I would register to take the NCLEX using your married name, since you have already legally changed it. But if, for whatever reason, your school insists that you use your maiden name, you should still have the opportunity to change it when you apply for your license after passing boards. It sounds like your school is misinformed, though.

imagenthings · Jan 18, 2011

Go back to the schools Registrar Office and Nursing Department if they are different places, and have them change the name. If it is marriage, walk with your marriage license else a divorce, walk with the decree. or whatever you have as proof/reason. your name is what u say it is, but you have to have valid proof of that change.

You do not want to get to pearsonvue and not be allowed to write your exam. They will happily take your money.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Hi all, I'm extremely confused . I made the huge mistake of changing my last name before graduation (on my Social security card). I submitted a form to my school 1 month before I graduated requesting a last name change, and they never changed it, so now I'm applying for my license and I don't know which last name to use. When I was filling out the pearson vue form for the nclex they ask if I was ever married and what is my maiden name...I'm soooo confused, I don't know what to do, I called the department in charge of licensing and they said to use my new last name since everything has to match my SS card, but then my school said to use my maiden name since that's what my school knows me as. Please I need some advice, I will greatly appreciate it.

Whoever you talked to at the school is an idiot.

First..they should have changed your name at the school level when you submitted your social security card, because that was putting them on notice that you have a LEGAL name change. Your married name should have been on your diploma.

Then, everything would have matched. For now, I would take this up with the registrar.

However, it is not customary, after graduation, to change your name to a married name at schools previously attended....as they go by social security number anyway and ask if you had a different name when you were a student.

So the Board of Nursing is correct...you use your married name to apply for a license because that is your LEGAL name and that is all the BON carries about...your SS card matches your SS number, which will match your school records, along with your date of birth, plus your maiden name on the application for licensure.

That is all you need.

FYI...be sure you change your driver's license because if your name does not match EXACTLY how you applied for licensure, Pearson will refuse to allow you sit for NCLEX when you show up for testing.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2011

Go back to the schools Registrar Office and Nursing Department if they are different places, and have them change the name. If it is marriage, walk with your marriage license else a divorce, walk with the decree. or whatever you have as proof/reason. your name is what u say it is, but you have to have valid proof of that change.
You do not want to get to pearsonvue and not be allowed to write your exam. They will happily take your money.

A marriage license or divorce decree does not legally change your name....ever. It is supporting documentation that you have the right to change it, but the issuance, does nothing.

It is not a legal name change until it is done with the social security office...you do that first before you change your driver's license.

annah · Apr 3, 2012

I was reading all your posts folks and I just wanna clarify something. I'm now here in hawaii and planning to take my nclex-RN here and I'm using now my married name. My RN license back in the philippines and my ID's are changed to my married name too but my school credentials and diplomas are not. Do i need to change my name at my school credentials to be able to qualify to take the exam? Please respond... Thank u:)

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 3, 2012

definitely, go with the bon since they are issuing your license:d