Interim Permit

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Dec 24, 2014

I've not heard of such a thing. What state are your referring to?

elkpark · Dec 24, 2014

A number of states offer an "interim permit" for nurses who are applying for licensure by endorsement. The idea is that they issue you the permit right away on the basis of expecting that you will qualify for permanent licensure, to enable you to start working while awaiting the completion of the full background check and issuance of your permanent license. I've never heard of anyone getting paid less for having an interim permit vs. a permanent license. It's no different than the cars you see with the temporary, paper license plate that is good while you're waiting to get your permanent, metal license plate. Has nothing at all to do with "working under someone else's license" -- whose license would that be??

Or are you talking about new graduates working with a temporary permit before they take the NCLEX? That's an entirely different matter, and v. few states even offer that any more. Even then, I've never heard of anyone getting paid less because they are a graduate nurse, and they are not "working under someone else's license." If you're in school now, that is probably what you are asking about. Does your state even offer temporary permits to new grads any more?

Andi777 · Dec 25, 2014

In New York State, nursing grads have a 2 part application process. I will be filling out an application for limited licensure, and sending them a bucket of money. My institution sends in a form stating I have completed the educational requirements.

I can work on a limited license as a GRADUATE NURSE (not an RN) for a period of time. I cannot for the life of me remember how long that is-- 6 months maybe? In that time, I need to take and pass the NCLEX -- I have as many chances as I want but there is a required time wait between tries, so there really are only 2 opportunities to pass, IF I am lucky enough to get hired right away on my limited license.

The salary is the same whether limited for full license. Also, I am pretty sure that I can only practice in my home state of NY.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 25, 2014

In New York State, nursing grads have a 2 part application process. I will be filling out an application for limited licensure, and sending them a bucket of money. My institution sends in a form stating I have completed the educational requirements.
I can work on a limited license as a GRADUATE NURSE (not an RN) for a period of time. I cannot for the life of me remember how long that is-- 6 months maybe? In that time, I need to take and pass the NCLEX -- I have as many chances as I want but there is a required time wait between tries, so there really are only 2 opportunities to pass, IF I am lucky enough to get hired right away on my limited license.
The salary is the same whether limited for full license. Also, I am pretty sure that I can only practice in my home state of NY.

The application is very specific: the permit is valid up to a year, if you fail the NCLEX your interim permit is invalidated and you can no longer work as a GN. The permit is revoked once you earn your RN license or fail the NCLEX, which ever comes first.

A NY nursing license is only valid in NY as NY is not a member of the nursing license compact

dah doh, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2014

You should check with the BRN for your state. In California, the Interim Permit can be issued to first time nursing school graduates who qualify for NCLEX testing but haven't taken boards yet. It is valid for up to six months or until you get your NCLEX exam resulted. The Interim Permit allows you to work as a nurse "under direct supervision from a licensed nurse". This means you are being precepted by a nurse...AKA orientation!

Andi777 · Dec 25, 2014

The application is very specific: the permit is valid up to a year, if you fail the NCLEX your interim permit is invalidated and you can no longer work as a GN. The permit is revoked once you earn your RN license or fail the NCLEX, which ever comes first.
A NY nursing license is only valid in NY as NY is not a member of the nursing license compact

It is specific in NY -- I remember our Dept Head telling us that NY has an exception... which I finally found on the op.nysd.gov site about the 90 days working WITHOUT a permit at all (under the supervising RN):

New graduates of New York State nursing education programs registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying may be employed for 90 days immediately following graduation without holding a limited permit. To be eligible to practice within those 90 days, you must have graduated from your nursing program, submitted the Application for Licensure (Form 1), the Application for Limited Permit (Form 5), and paid the required fees. While practicing during those 90 days, you must be supervised by a registered professional nurse who is currently licensed and registered to practice in New York State. It is possible you may not receive the limited permit before your license is issued but submitting the Form 5 and permit fee allows you to practice during the 90 days. If you do receive the permit, give your employer the employer's copy for their records

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Dec 25, 2014

It is specific in NY -- I remember our Dept Head telling us that NY has an exception... which I finally found on the op.nysd.gov site about the 90 days working WITHOUT a permit at all (under the supervising RN):
New graduates of New York State nursing education programs registered by the New York State Education Department as licensure qualifying may be employed for 90 days immediately following graduation without holding a limited permit. To be eligible to practice within those 90 days, you must have graduated from your nursing program, submitted the Application for Licensure (Form 1), the Application for Limited Permit (Form 5), and paid the required fees. While practicing during those 90 days, you must be supervised by a registered professional nurse who is currently licensed and registered to practice in New York State. It is possible you may not receive the limited permit before your license is issued but submitting the Form 5 and permit fee allows you to practice during the 90 days. If you do receive the permit, give your employer the employer's copy for their records

The form clearly states if you attempt and fail your NCLEX your permit is revoked. . This is the same for any state that offers an interim/GN/temp practice permit.

caliotter3 · Dec 25, 2014

I've seen it said that it is not worth the effort to pay for an interim permit in my state because the license arrives before one can use the permit.

Andi777 · Dec 27, 2014

The form clearly states if you attempt and fail your NCLEX your permit is revoked. . This is the same for any state that offers an interim/GN/temp practice permit.

Yes, that is clearly stated. :)

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 27, 2014

Hello,
I just have a quick question. From what I understand, I have to apply for an interim permit when I apply for my license, does anyone know how soon it takes for the IP be issued? Also, during the time that one is working on just an IP they are not being paid nurses salary because they are working under someone else's license, right? This last part was kind of a debate between a few classmates.

If this is in regard to California, if you want to get the IP, you have to apply at the same time you apply for your license/approval to take the NCLEX. The BRN, once it receives your license application packet and notification from your school that you have graduated will process the application and if you applied for the IP, they'll issue the IP to you. I had an IP and it was issued about a week after I graduated. When they process the IP, they go through everything they need to (background, transcripts, etc) to issue you a license. The IP is only good until you take the NCLEX the first time, after which they'll cancel it. (This prevents confusion with revoking for cause.) If you pass, they'll cancel the IP and issue you an RN license as they've already done everything and all they're waiting for is NCLEX results.

If you do not do the IP, they'll approve you to take the NCLEX but they'll wait for NCLEX results before they start officially processing your application for the license itself. That can take a while... I had an IP and I got my RN license number about 36 hours after I took the NCLEX. Most of my classmates that got the IP waited less than a week post-NCLEX for their license numbers. Those that didn't do the IP waited (sometimes) up to 3 weeks post-NCLEX for their license numbers.

As far as getting paid/not paid, you will be working under your IP, while supervised by a licensed RN who functions as your preceptor and must be available on the floor while you're working. You will get paid as you will be providing nursing services.