New grad from out of state licensing question

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Hello. I am a new grad from Maryland relocating to Columbus Georgia for a position. My school will not allow us to take our NCLEX until July. Should I apply in Maryland and transfer my license to Georgia or should I start the whole process in Georgia?

My main issue is the time crunch and the possible paperwork backlog.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.

I just wrote I haven't worked as an RN in that area. I didn't have any problems

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

The problem I have with GBON is that the only thing they say is "25 days"! It doesnt matter what you ask. I hand delivered my application and you would think that there would be an acknowledgement that I submitted my application - NOPE!!!

Frustrating!:mad:

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I am a new grad nurse I graduated in December and took my Nclex in a different state and I got my licensed endorsed in the state of Georgia. It doesn't take the whole 25 days to get your licensed endorsed. If you do decide to go this route, print off the endorsement application ASAP and fill it out and send as soon as you get your NCLEX results. That will expedite the process. The only thing is the state of Georgia won't accept fingerprints from any lther state. So you need to make sure you come down in enough time to get fingerprinted and allow time for them to process. Personally, I took the NCLEX on Feb. 3rd. Found my unofficial results on the 4th. Recevied my license on the 11th and I sent my application shortly after. I moved to Columbus on the 28th and got fingerprinted that following Thursday (they only do fingerprinting certain days) my license came on the 11th. I hope that helps!

I graduated in May and got my FL license, but I live in southern Georgia. I wanted to start the process of applying for my GA license by endorsement but when I went to the BON website, I saw that there is a 3 month or 500 hr work requirement, so I called the BON to ask some questions and they told me that the work requirement does not apply to new grads and all I needed to do was fill out the application and send it in. In the application, it specifically asks if you've met that requirement and if not, it warns you that you'll have to take a refresher course... there is no option to select stating that you are a new grad. Did you face this situation? I have no idea how to answer that question. In addition, there are so many hoops to jump through on that application that it gives me headaches to sit down and look at it!

While I was in nursing school, one of our instructors told us that some nursing political action group is pushing congress to create one national license... I certainly hope that happens (although it probably won't). The NCLEX is standard, why shouldn't licenses be?? That way, you get licensed once and you don't have to worry about applying in multiple states and jumping through so many hoops.

Anyway, if you could just detail your experience with the GA BON, I would really appreciate it. I'm going to call them today and have them hand walk me through that particular area, but hearing it from someone on this end of it would be helpful, I hope. :)

Thanks!!

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I would recommend getting licensed in GA for the NCLEX, not your current state & then endorsing because I am living this nightmare right now.

The GBON is extremely slow, and they mean if you call to ask questions. I had initially called before my NCLEX to ask this very question (since I was already signed up for my current state) and was told it is no big deal only 15 days to get licensed in GA by a super nice lady. Of course, then when I started the process I called to check the status of my app and was very rudely told " they might not even open the envelope for 15 days". I am about to lose my dream job because of how long the process is taking. I was told yesterday that it is 15 days for them to review the paperwork then another 25 days for them to make a decision. I sent my paperwork with a tracking number so I can see clearly when they got it and to whom it was delievered and today I was told they still dont have it, when I know they signed for it early last week. I am totally stuck!!!!!

You must get your fingerprints done IN GEORGIA, so make sure you allow time for this! Best of luck to you!

If anyone has any advice on how to expedite endorsement in GA, please help me! My dream job is going to be given to an alternate if I cant get my license in time!!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I called them every day! I dropped off my application June 30th. They didnt put it in the system until July 19th. They didnt give me my ATT until the 28th. It makes no sense to me. And this is for my initial license. I can't imagine what I would have done if I'd went the endorsement route!

I would recommend getting licensed in GA for the NCLEX, not your current state & then endorsing because I am living this nightmare right now.

If anyone has any advice on how to expedite endorsement in GA, please help me! My dream job is going to be given to an alternate if I cant get my license in time!!!!

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

That doesn't sound bad for your initial license....OH is 6-8 weeks out from receiving applications and issuing ATTs. I turned in my app June 28th and still don't have my ATT.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I dont understand why they take so long. If they did them as they came in it shouldnt take so long...

That doesn't sound bad for your initial license....OH is 6-8 weeks out from receiving applications and issuing ATTs. I turned in my app June 28th and still don't have my ATT.
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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Followup to my original post. Here is the timeline for my GA RN by Licensure Application:

- June 29th - Arrived in GA to get fingerprinted - hard to find the places though!

- June 30th - Hand delivered RN application to Macon - nice lady at the front desk - make sure she gives you a receipt.

- July 17th - GBON acknowledges my application - but only that I submitted it and paid the $40 fee.

- July 27 - All the little boxes are filled in except for Passes the NCLEX and Retake the NCLEX

- July 28th - Received ATT via email

- Aug 3rd - Took the beast! 75 questions, 15 SATA, 1.5 hours and a lot of prayer in between!

- Aug 7th - GBON markes that I don't have to retake the NCLEX but no license yet or acknowledgement from them that I passes (I did the PVT so I knew!!!)

- Aug 11th - 4:35pm - received email from GBON that I passed with my license number!!!! YAY ME!!!!

Total of 44 days! It doesn't seem like a long time - but when you are stressed out it feels like forever!!!

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