Maryland Board of Nursing Horrors

U.S.A. Maryland

Published

Here is a copy of a letter I recently sent to our governor regarding the inefficient mbon. I have been trying to get my cna license for 6 months now and all I am getting is the run around from employees who do not want to take responsibility;

Governor O'Malley,

If you go to the Maryland board of nursing website your name is prominently displayed on every page. I just wanted to let you know what kind of organization your name is attached to.

First some background; I am a 39 year old divorced/single nursing student with two daughters to raise. I am back in school because in this tough economy I really needed a career that offered some measure of both job security and a decent paycheck. This is the reason I have gone back to school after so many years.

After the first semester of school nursing students become eligible to receive a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license. On December 27, 2010, anticipating that I will have to work during the summer, I went for fingerprinting at CJIS and mailed off my completed application. The envelope was signed for January 2, 2011 by the board of nursing. After many phone calls and back and forth I finally received my 90 day temporary license at the end of March (3 months later!!!!!!). Remember, I could not work until I had at least a temporary license. Anyhow, temporary license in hand I was fortunate enough to procure a coveted nursing externship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. This externship will give me not only valuable nursing experience, but the extra money is desperately needed. This job will be a foot in the door at a wonderful hospital!

The issue? I am scheduled to start Monday and my temporary license expires the 8th!!! I have been very proactive trying to get my permanent license. A month ago I contacted the board of nursing trying to get a status. They told me they had no fingerprints or background check on file so they could not issue the license. When I asked why did someone not contact me I was rudely told that it is my job to keep calling to see if there are any problems. Then the woman in charge of new CNA licenses, (name deleted) informed me that I would have to take care of it and I was given the phone number of the nursing liason between CJIS and board of nursing. This woman, (name deleted), was lovely on the phone, sounded very sympathetic, and promised me results. When I called a week and a half later there were still no results. Even as of this date I am not receiving any return phone calls or emails. She told me I have to call CJIS, it was their issue. Well, I called CJIS. The woman there, (name deleted), told me that she saw that the fingerprinting and background checks were completed and that they had emailed and electronic copy to the board of nursing December 28, 2010!!! (I has received my verification from CJIS December 28 as well). I asked them if they could send another copy and they told me that the board of nursing has to request it. So I call the board of nursing who told me they can not do that, that the liason has to. Bottom line, I followed the directions, everything was in order to get my license, but no one is taking responsibility or action on the issue at hand. I can not work without this license so someone's mistake that no one is taking responsibility for may cost me my livelyhood and the potential of getting my dream job at Hopkins!

I was warned that the board of nursing is horrible to deal with. Potential employers, my professors at school, other nurses all warned me. Why should this board be allowed to run in such dysfunction? Why has no one taken steps to correct it when it can effect people's futures, their careers?

I would really appreciate it if someone can investigate the workings of the board of nursing and perhaps help expedite my license so I can work.

Thanks you,

respectfully,

(name deleted)

taxpayer/voter/single mom just trying to make ends

Friday morning I will be making the trek to the office. I am bringing my friend who is a high level manager/trainer at the FAA with me as he has ways of managing uncooperative employees. Anyhow, I just want to let everyone know about my experience with mbon.

Hi! Why does your school need to pay the Pearson? What is that for? Thanks.

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OH...MY...GOD

How tragic!!!!!! I hope you get this straight!

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry, SICU.

My school is paying the $200 Pearson Vue testing fee for us.

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I wanted to followup to give some of you hope. I was dreading this process! I sent in my fingerprints and verification from my state and a week later applied for my licensure. I applied on June 6th. I called today to see if I was missing anything, no matter what extension I press no one picks up the phone. After calling back 6 times I finally got one of the endorsement specialist but she says due to my last name I am working with the other one. Anyways I decided to email the endorsement specialist to ask if I am missing anything, she responded within an hour of the email informing me my license was active since June 19th! So within 13 days of applying, it was approved.

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Specializes in Medical Telemetry, SICU.

Thats fantastic! I just paid my Pearson Vue fee myself because Pearson said it would take 4-7 weeks by the route my school used.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Maybe your school can reimburse you once you pass. My school does that for us and I think it's a better process.

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This a great title.....it speaks volumes about MBON.....I would say to anyone....get your license in another state that is under an agreement with the state of Maryland and compact license agreement...that way you bypass maryland's broken system altogether!

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Specializes in Educator.

Sadly I am forced to deal with the MBON as I process our agency Medication Technician applications. The process is terrifyingly frustrating to say the least. I can submit a class and half will be certifed and the other half hang in limbo for months, and months.....and then they say their application is too old and they need to start over.....:madface:

I have learned to grit my teeth and deal with it, but as a taxpayer and a professional, I find their "service" embarrassing.

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I called the Maryland board of nursing to transfer my certification over and the lady mail the paper work out i fill out everything sent it back I called the lady to see if she got it and she said my fingerprint card was supposed to go somewhere else with a fee so I said OK she said she would send it back which it's been over a month I called a couple of times and I never received a phone call back so I call and leave a message and complained about the Lady and how I never received my paper work back and how my personal information is floating around somewhere out there I get a phone call mind you I never get a call back she calls me to let me know that someone told her I left a message complaining about her she had a bad attitude and would not let me get a word in its like they try to intimidate you so you won't say anything someone must do something about this or my next move will be to call the news and everyone else who wants to here my story until something gets done.

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How long does the MBON issue licenses for. I got endorsed from new York ...they issued me a license in july that expires in a year...I am confused cause my ne York license does not expire until 2016..:down:

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in less then a year I mean..issued in july of 2013..expires in May of 2014

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Your initial license sometimes expires at the end of your birth month. That was the case when I got my LPN license last year. Also, the BON is moving to renewing licenses every 2 yrs. I believe this yr all licensees born in and odd year will pay $110 and their license will not expire until 2015. Next year, all licensees born in even years will renew for 2 yrs. hope that helps a bit :)

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