No word from BON for NCLEX- When is it safe to apply for jobs?

Nurses General Nursing

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I've got a unique situation. I graduated this past Spring and did not apply for the NCLEX until this month. The reason for waiting was to have my arrest record from expunged at the advice of a family friend who used to work on the BON. I was still totally transparent about my history in the application and submitted all the correct documentation.

Here's my question: When would it be safe to apply for jobs?

I'm worried that it could take a while to hear back from the BON about my application since it's an atypical app with an arrest history and I know most hospitals require you to pass the NCLEX within 3 months of being hired. I would hate to go past that 3 month period and have to explain why I've not heard back from the BON. I don't want that to be my first impression with a new job/career.

What do you all think? I'm so ready to get working but I don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Thanks for your thoughts!

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I've got a unique situation. I graduated this past Spring and did not apply for the NCLEX until this month. The reason for waiting was to have my arrest record from expunged at the advice of a family friend who used to work on the BON. I was still totally transparent about my history in the application and submitted all the correct documentation.

Here's my question: When would it be safe to apply for jobs?

I'm worried that it could take a while to hear back from the BON about my application since it's an atypical app with an arrest history and I know most hospitals require you to pass the NCLEX within 3 months of being hired. I would hate to go past that 3 month period and have to explain why I've not heard back from the BON. I don't want that to be my first impression with a new job/career.

What do you all think? I'm so ready to get working but I don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Thanks for your thoughts!

I would make zero sense to me to start looking at this point. I'd at least want an ATT before I started looking.

I graduated in a good market for nurses (easy to find work). I was hired before testing, but required to pass NCLEX before I actually received a start date.

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I agree. I wouldn't start looking until you have received your ATT. Some BONs are known for moving at a turtle pace so you might be waiting for quite awhile about this issue.

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Specializes in Pedi.

What state are you in? In my state, there is no such thing as graduate nurse status and you cannot work a single shift as a nurse until you have passed NCLEX and have a license. I was hired before I even graduated but my hiring was contingent upon passing NCLEX/obtaining a license prior to my start date. You don't even know if you'll be allowed to sit for NCLEX, which is a problem if you begin applying for jobs now.

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Going on what the other posters said. Not only will the BON look at your arrest record. But also most employers. Also expunging a record- sometimes it can take years for it to actually go away. So you need to be honest with potential employers. Is whatever your arrest for something that may put you on the no hire list for abuse, neglect, danger... whatever is included on that list-- can't think of the name right now.

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Some states have "graduate nurse" status, but they are pretty much glorified CNA's. They should not pass meds alone or do any "nursing" tasks. Many places use it as a way to start they training process for nurses.

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Some states have "graduate nurse" status, but they are pretty much glorified CNA's. They should not pass meds alone or do any "nursing" tasks. Many places use it as a way to start they training process for nurses.

In Texas, graduate nurses work as actual nurses. They only become "glorified CNAs" if they fail NCLEX and their employer decides to keep them on and give them more time to pass.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

Whether a place will hire you pending your exam is gonna be a combination of state And facility policies.

It took 8 months for me to receive my ATT, and yes, after the first month I was continually caning trying to get ahold of someone to figure out WTF was going on. Depending on whet you get hired they may work with you, however. Where I was formerly employed a new grad so had not received his ATT 30 days after being hired so they more or less paused his employment until he had passed the exam and received his license.

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Update: I got my ATT- just 2 weeks after submitting my application! It was a complex feeling of HUGE relief followed by immediate panic and stressing about the actual exam haha. I've been using Kaplan's NCLEX prep question bank and mock tests. Wish me luck!

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