License still not issued

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

I'm starting to panic. My assignment is starting 2 weeks from today and my license is still not issued. I emailed the board and they said they are still waiting on my background check to process. What do I do if it's not processed before my orientation start date?!

[NedRN]

Not much advice to give without more facts. What state, have you done your background check, did it involve fingerprints, have you contacted those responsible for the background check, did you have to pay separately for the background check, do you have proof of payment?

[BigT]

What state are you talking about? Better yet, what company would allow you to submit for a position without the license in hand? This would raise huge flags for me with regard to this travel company.

In any case if you do not have your license,or received it in time, you will be in breech of your contract ( which I would re-read to see if your non-compiance with its requirements would make you liable for any penalties and fees) and you will either lose the contract and be out on your own or have the start date pushed back- depending on what the hospital wants to do.

Good learning lesson....

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

What state are you talking about? Better yet, what company would allow you to submit for a position without the license in hand? This would raise huge flags for me with regard to this travel company.

In any case if you do not have your license,or received it in time, you will be in breech of your contract ( which I would re-read to see if your non-compiance with its requirements would make you liable for any penalties and fees) and you will either lose the contract and be out on your own or have the start date pushed back- depending on what the hospital wants to do.

Good learning lesson....

It actually depends on the state as to whether or not you can be submitted for a job prior to obtaining your license. But anyways, after sitting on hold for over 3 hours with the DE State Police I received an email from the board of nursing saying I was approved for my temporary. Definitely a close call though, may have had a minor heart attack.

[BigT]

Delaware is typically a 4-6 week endorsement process... How long was yours?

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

It actually depends on the state as to whether or not you can be submitted for a job prior to obtaining your license. But anyways, after sitting on hold for over 3 hours with the DE State Police I received an email from the board of nursing saying I was approved for my temporary. Definitely a close call though, may have had a minor heart attack.

Why did the state police get involved? Glad you got your permit!

[NedRN]

In many (perhaps most) states, that is who processes background checks for other state agencies. Makes a lot of sense as they are the fingerprint folks as well and have direct access to the FBI databases.

[NedRN]

What state are you talking about? Better yet, what company would allow you to submit for a position without the license in hand? This would raise huge flags for me with regard to this travel company.

In most states, it is fairly easy to predict how long it will take to issue a license. As a result, it has been common practice to get a job offer from an agency before applying for a license. Some states, recently and notably California, have been so erratic that hospitals have only been considering submissions from travelers with a current license in hand. In addition, some states require such a long licensure time that it just isn't practical to accept travelers without the relevant state license. Finally, some hospitals have been burned by travelers who have some undisclosed issue like a DWI and cannot get their license in time.

That said, the practice of submitting travelers with the expectation that only if a job offer is extended will a license be applied for is commonplace.

Certain states licenses are worth getting prospectively. Those would include the well paying states of WA, OR, CA, and MA (which can all take a while). Some states such as FL would also be worthwhile if they are on your bucket list. Obviously, DE is way too small for most travelers to consider the expense of licensure without a job in hand.

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

Why did the state police get involved? Glad you got your permit!

They were doing my background check! lol! :)

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

Delaware is typically a 4-6 week endorsement process... How long was yours?

Took about 4 weeks now that I think about it, not long at all. I guess it just seemed like it was taking forever!