NJ license status: active - non renewable

[Long standing nurse]

I use to have a NJ RN license. In 2014 I moved to AZ. In 2015 I let my nj license expire. I didn't know I would be punished severely for that. I couldn't afford the CEUs and fees. 

In 2021 or 2022. While living in az, bc of my job and before nj was a compact state, I renewed my license. They did it for free. Weird. So it was active unencumbered. 

This is the punishment part: 

Dec 2023 I became a resident of nj bc came back for cancer tx. 
I changed my az address online to my NJ address right away. I emailed n called them asking how I can change my nj license to a primary license multistate now. 

Suddenly, my active license status the next day changed to active-non renewable with a 3/31/24 ecpiration date!! 

 DAILY calls, email, and voicemails to many numbers and emails since Dec 2023 to current march 2024 and not one person at NJ board of nursing can tell me why this happened. I came across a lawyer in Nj who said it's a 5 year penalty for letting your license lapse. He said  u paid 9 years of it but when u changed your address, they started the clock for over again and added an additional 5 years that you are not allowed to have your license back so will be penalized a total of 14 years. 

the board of nursing refuses to tell me why they did this and refuses to lift the non renewable saying it can be there for life. 

In 16 years as full time nurse n many licenses later, some still active, I never had any disciplinary or suspensions or criminal accusations or charges against me. No child support either.

I also read I will have to take an NCLEX again and also do school again tho I been active nurse for over 16 years! This is insane! in addition they want allllll the employers I ever worked for since I last used my nj license. How insane is this?!? Other places just want the last 5 years! If Beas a criminal it would require less penalty time n requirements to get it back. 

NJ board of nursing has no appeals for nursing license n no one will return my emails or calls not even the reactivation/ reinstatement dept, the web site won't allow me a multi license, renewal, or reinstatement. I was told by one of a million calls to them already that they aren't allowed to say why they cannot let me have my license anymore after 3/31/24 expiration which is coming up I n two weeks from now. 

If I was a criminal I could have my license back in 2-4 years! But I'm not allowed to ever have it back I was told. 

Is there any way to fight this? I face homelessness bc I'll be jobless soon and cannot simply break my home lease and move back to AZ where I have a current multistate license. 

I need help to resolve this. 

Anyone else had their nj license  taken away from them  bc they simply let their license lapse over 9 years ago? 

[Long standing nurse]

I found that now to be true. I never worked anywhere but NJ before I moved so I had no idea this would happen and I'll get penalized for moving as well. The fees are almost triple the licensure reinstatement  costs as well. The issue was I could barely afford an apt on the new state income let alone the huge amount NJ charges to renew and the Huge costs of CEUs. AZ required no CEUs. I learned my lesson now. 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Any update?

[Long standing nurse]

They stated they processed my renewal for a non active RN during COVID state which is why it's non-renewable so they processed it wrong when I applied in 2022. I had to do a paper reinstatement and had to get someone else involved just to get them to send me the application via email after two months requesting it. They extended the covid active license until may and the reinstatement application is sitting for a week waiting for them to cash the money orders and criminal background check but all the rest is approved . I just hope it doesn't take two mi the to cash money orders and do background check! 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Glad to hear license extended so can continue working.  Did you contact your assemblymen to get involved, were they helpful?

Best wishes for improved health.

 

[Long standing nurse]

Yes they called and the next day there was an extension. I don't know if they had anything to do with it but they also called again and was seeing how things were going. I told them waiting on them to say they got my money orders and been at a stand still now w it. I'm so grateful for all the advice I got on this site. It kept my job and I don't have to cancel my cancer treatments or lose my home now! God Bless everyone who has helped me! I just pray now they cash the money orders and do the background check before end of may. 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Glad our advice helped you, crossing fingers that NJ expedites your license app.