NCLEX ATT Nightmare ... Anyone else experience this?

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Hey all,

I've been snooping around this message board for probably the better part of 3 years now. Finally posting to see what kind of feedback you guys have to offer. :) This is kind of a two-parter, and a little long so I really appreciate anyone who reads the whole thing and responds...

I graduated from an ADN program this May, then moved across the country back to my home state of Texas.

I had fingerprints digitally submitted for the FBI background check required by the BON on May 25. It has now been almost 7 weeks, and I still haven't received my ATT to sit for the NCLEX. I have called the BON a few times about this: At the 2 week mark I was told to call back on the 4 week mark. On the 4 week mark, I was told to call back on the 5 week mark. On the 5th week mark, I was told the FBI reported a glitch in their system on the day I had my prints submitted. The woman I spoke with said the BON was not given an approximate turn-around time as to when it would be resolved.

I have tried calling again this afternoon and can't get anyone on the line to speak with me.

Question 1 is Has anyone else experienced this? Do I really have no recourse except to sit and wait for things to get smoothed over? Any other suggestions?

So meanwhile, I'm sitting here - going stir crazy... feeling like so much time has lapsed between school and taking the NCLEX that I fear I'll fail it ... but more pressing simply because I have bills to pay, the JOB HUNT. I feel like it is discourteous to apply for RN positions when I don't even have an estimated date of when I'll be licensed. I have applied for several GN positions in my general area (DFW) and haven't received so much as a rejection email from any of them. Because I am ridiculously flexible and willing to relocate, I applied to a GN position several hours away and did receive a screening call from HR which went really well, and I was told my resume and application would be forwarded on to unit managers (small victory!) and given a date to call back and follow up. :yeah:

So that leads to Question 2: Should I continue to hunt down GN jobs while I wait for my ATT, or should I start applying for RN positions despite the fact that I am NOT an RN YET and have no ETA on NCLEX?

I feel like the answer is pretty obvious, but because I am the only one from my graduating class facing this hold up right now, I don't really have anyone else to bounce this off of.

Thanks for reading

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, LTC.

Blacksweater, this is what I would do. I live in Houston, and to be fingerprinted is $10, I would just go and do it again, and mail it in to BON, worst case, they will have 2.

The ATT comes from Pearson Vue, have you paid for the test already?

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Thanks for the reply,

I have paid for the test already.

I thought I remember reading either on the TX BON site or on the L-1 Identity Solutions (company that does the digital prints) page that you couldn't have two inquiries for background checks going on at the same time - but I will definitely look into it.

If I could just pay another $10 to get my ATT I'd do it in a heartbeat. LOL Worth checking into.

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Hey, I graduated in June and from what I can gather a portion of my graduating class got their ATT the past week. I heard from our advisor that another set should be sent out here soon.

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, LTC.
Thanks for the reply,

I have paid for the test already.

I thought I remember reading either on the TX BON site or on the L-1 Identity Solutions (company that does the digital prints) page that you couldn't have two inquiries for background checks going on at the same time - but I will definitely look into it.

If I could just pay another $10 to get my ATT I'd do it in a heartbeat. LOL Worth checking into.

My thinking is they are saying there was a glitch and they can locate, so why not resubmit.........lets get this show on the road, and I hope you are still revising........

Make sure you do your LaCharity, its a very big part of the test and know your content.

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Personally, if it was me, I would wait until I had a license in hand before seriously seeking work. Especially so since you are experiencing problems and delays in the process.

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I was able to talk to someone at the BON - I was told my fingerprints were rejected .... no big deal, just have them done again... and they assured me it wouldn't take another 7 weeks.

I was told I should be receiving something in the mail - but figured I'd call the place who does the fingerprints to see if I can go ahead and schedule another appointment to get them done, since I'm trying to move this along as fast as I can...

and guess what! They don't have any records indicating that my prints were rejected ....

Oh well, it was nice for a moment to think I was actually getting somewhere. :banghead:

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Specializes in ER, Med/Surg, LTC.
I was able to talk to someone at the BON - I was told my fingerprints were rejected .... no big deal, just have them done again... and they assured me it wouldn't take another 7 weeks.

I was told I should be receiving something in the mail - but figured I'd call the place who does the fingerprints to see if I can go ahead and schedule another appointment to get them done, since I'm trying to move this along as fast as I can...

and guess what! They don't have any records indicating that my prints were rejected ....

Oh well, it was nice for a moment to think I was actually getting somewhere. :banghead:

Glad you finally heard something........so hopefully you can get it done this week. I know the struggle, initially, it took me a year to get my ATT.

Good luck.......

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