NJ License to PA License by Endorsement/Temp Permit

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Hi everyone/anyone- I'm really hoping someone sees this and replies...

My husband & I just found out on Friday that he got matched in Pittsburgh for his residency so we'd be moving there from NJ. He starts mid June, so I feel like I have a tight timeframe to switch my license, and find a job. I think the time constraint is making me make some illogical choices & I already wasted money by doing things wrong-- like I didn't take an approved DHS Child Abuse CE course; and I payed for an FBI Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) when I just need a NJ CHRC (if I'm wrong about this, someone please correct me).

Clearly, I'm feeling really overwhelmed with the overall process, so I figured I'd come on here and see if anyone who has received their PA license by endorsement could answer some questions and/or offer advice

*Since I only have a 2 to 3 month window, should I be applying for a Temp Permit, then get a license later? I think I read that Temp permits have a 5 wk review vs. 12 weeks for a license

*I already asked my college to send my transcripts to the PA State Board of Nursing, but haven't turned in my application yet because I still need to have my state CHRC done. If they receive my transcripts before my application, should I get the transcripts sent again, after I turn in my application? (I plan to do so online)

*Does anyone from NJ remember how long it took to receive your CHRC report after finger printing? And did anyone opt to have their report notarized? (I did cause I figured it couldn't hurt & it's the same price)

*Should I start looking for/applying for jobs in Pittsburgh now, or wait until I actually get the PA license/Temp?

Even though we had no idea what state we'd end up in, I'm starting to wish I started the process before we even found out we were moving to Pittsburgh. Or at least got a CHRC done ahead of time. Or I wish all states were compact states (even though NJ isn't even one)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Welcome!

See the previous thread: Act 31 Child Abuse CEU: 3hr class required for initial PA RN & LPN license

List of PA approved courses: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Pages/Act-31.aspx

I would not spend the money on temporary permit as major hospital/facilities only hire with full active license these days.

Per PA BON re CHRC requirement:

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Provide a recent Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or other state agency for every state in which you have lived, worked, or completed professional training/studies for the past ten (10) years. The report(s) must be dated within 90 days of the date the application is submitted

Once you have all documents, you can submit online application. BON suggests applying for both TPP -good for 1 year along with endorsed license application. However, I've seen major facilities not interested in hiring until license obtained. Recently, embers have reported getting endorsed license approved in about 8-8 weeks if no criminal background/BON disciplinary actions issues Paper license will arrive in mail, few weeks later As soon as your name appears on PA verification of license website as active, you can use that license number on applications -- employer verification is done online.

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Per BON : What happens if all the information is available to issue my permanent license and TPP at the same time?

ANSWER: Although both the license and the TPP will be issued simultaneously, the TPP will immediately become null and void sincea licenseecannot hold a TPP and a license at the same time. All fees are non-refundable.

I would start the job hunt now, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area job postings often state BSN required, but they will hire experienced RN with plans to get BSN within 5yrs employment.

Best wishes in your move and job hunt. Pittsburgh is a growing city with excellent hospitals; major players are UPMC Health System and Allegheny Hospital Network, both with multiple hospitals. UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Mercy nurses that I've met at in-services, enjoyed working at these locations.

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Just an update to anyone who has found this post, is in a similar predicament, and has wondered what I ended up doing...

I ended up applying for both a Temp permit & license for endorsement. Once I got by CHRC & uploaded it I got my permit activated very quickly (uploaded it late Friday night, was activated by late Monday night evening), but have not received anything in the mail. My permanent license is still pending. The only things they are waiting for to give me a license are my school transcripts (which I requested to be sent before I even got my fingerprinting done... I think I will request them to resend it) & letter of good standing (confused why this is still pending because I paid NURSYS to make it available for PA to review online).

I did end up applying for jobs before I even had my permit activated. It seems Pittsburgh, or PA in general, are understanding when it comes to working with a permit. I think PA lets new nurses practice nursing before they’ve passed the NCLEX by obtaining a “Graduate nurse practice permit” ... I have a RN practice permit, so it seems hospitals by Pitt accepts permits, and are understanding since I’m already an RN and just waiting for my permanent license. I currently have 2 job offers.

So to any nurse wives or husbands who have an impending/possible move... it will be ok, and will work out. Although I still recommend you get your CHRC if you know there’s a chance you’re moving in the next 3 months .

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On 3/19/2019 at 5:34 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Welcome!

See the previous thread: Act 31 Child Abuse CEU: 3hr class required for initial PA RN & LPN license

List of PA approved courses: https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Pages/Act-31.aspx

I would not spend the money on temporary permit as major hospital/facilities only hire with full active license these days.

Per PA BON re CHRC requirement:

Once you have all documents, you can submit online application. BON suggests applying for both TPP -good for 1 year along with endorsed license application. However, I've seen major facilities not interested in hiring until license obtained. Recently, embers have reported getting endorsed license approved in about 8-8 weeks if no criminal background/BON disciplinary actions issues Paper license will arrive in mail, few weeks later As soon as your name appears on PA verification of license website as active, you can use that license number on applications -- employer verification is done online.

I would start the job hunt now, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia area job postings often state BSN required, but they will hire experienced RN with plans to get BSN within 5yrs employment.

Best wishes in your move and job hunt. Pittsburgh is a growing city with excellent hospitals; major players are UPMC Health System and Allegheny Hospital Network, both with multiple hospitals. UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Mercy nurses that I've met at in-services, enjoyed working at these locations.

Thank you for responding. Great to know there are fellow nurses willing to work read & respond to each other

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To piggy back this...is it possible to move out of state and get a new license by endorsement if my school was not ACEN accredited? The BSN school was, but the RN school was only regionally accredited and approved by the board of nursing

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
On 6/12/2019 at 12:14 PM, Overcast said:

To piggy back this...is it possible to move out of state and get a new license by endorsement if my school was not ACEN accredited? The BSN school was, but the RN school was only regionally accredited and approved by the board of nursing

Check with individual state BON you are thinking of moving to; if you are actively licensed + school you attended has enough program hours to meet new BON regulations, you should be able to obtain license by endorsement.

I'm not aware of ACEN accreditation requirement by a BON, however often required for BSN/MSN program application. Additionally, some hospital employers require graduation from ACEN program.

Link to Boards of Nursing found at bottom every Allnurses page.

Best wishes in your nursing journey.

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Hello,

I too am applying for my PA license and originally held a license only in NJ. The “letter of good standing”...is it something we need to complete a form to request this or what you did on NURSYS was enough when you attached that receipt to your application? I accepted a job offer requiring both licenses and want to be sure that everything is ironed out before I start having a heart attack.

TIA!

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How did you get your new jersey criminal background check? I called my local police and they said they dont do it. What exactly do you do to get your nj criminal record for pa license?

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17 hours ago, kaluqdah said:

How did you get your new jersey criminal background check? I called my local police and they said they dont do it. What exactly do you do to get your nj criminal record for pa license?

Gosh, this already feels so long ago, so I’m going off memory from about a year ago...
I went to a place called IdentoGO. They have several locations & you have to make an appointment. I remember most locations by me were filled up for a couple weeks advanced, so I ended up driving about 1.5 hrs away (still in NJ though) to get the soonest appt cause I had a time restraint with my planned move to PA. Not sure how things are now with COVID though

As for results, I think I had the results mailed to my house then uploaded those results to the PA nursing board site (the account that you make to apply for the license).

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On 9/5/2019 at 9:08 PM, UnclearFuture said:

Hello,

I too am applying for my PA license and originally held a license only in NJ. The “letter of good standing”...is it something we need to complete a form to request this or what you did on NURSYS was enough when you attached that receipt to your application? I accepted a job offer requiring both licenses and want to be sure that everything is ironed out before I start having a heart attack.

TIA!

Sorry I haven’t been on this site in a long time & I’m sure you already figured it out by now, considering this post is months old. But for anyone else that finds this discussion with the same question... I think the letter of good standing was something I did online and NJ was one of the stares that could send it directly to PA online.

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On 4/6/2020 at 7:22 PM, kaluqdah said:

How did you get your new jersey criminal background check? I called my local police and they said they dont do it. What exactly do you do to get your nj criminal record for pa license?

I’m having the same issue. NJ isn’t processing CHRC for us because it’s considered non-essential due to COVID. Does anyone know if there’s an exception the PA BON is making?

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