Nursing license

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 11, 2015

I think this is what the OP is saying:
About 20 years ago the OP graduated from a private Christian high school.
In 2009 OP completed the required course work to receive an ADN. The head of nursing at this ADN program completed the paperwork she needed to send to the BON to petition to take the NCLEX. The OP took the NCLEX in 2009 and passed it. She has been working as an RN since then.
Apparently the OP did NOT complete the paperwork to petition her college for conferral of the degree. Just because you complete the necessary coursework, you do not automatically graduate. At most colleges you have to petition the college for graduation. When you do that, someone checks that you have met all the requirements and approves you for graduation. At that point your degree is conferred. It sounds like the OP did not complete this step, so she actually never received the degree from the college.
OP recently applied for a BSN program. When checking her qualifications, the school she applied to found that she did not have an ADN. She was informed.
She contacted the school where she did her ADN coursework and found that she had never been awarded the degree.
The school won't let her just petition for conferral of the degree now, because the requirements for an ADN have changed. She has to meet the current requirements in order to petition for the degree.
When she attempted to enroll to take the required class(es) the school found that they did not have proof that she had graduated from high school. She was told she needed to provide proof of high school graduation.
She can't get proof of graduation from high school, because the school has closed.
She has contacted the department of education at the state capital to get proof of her high school graduation. They do not have any documentation that she graduated from high school.
That is what I've pieced together anyway.
OP, if you can't get proof of high school graduation, can you just take the GED test?
Then you can take the required course and petition for your ADN.
Have you tried meeting in person with the Dean at your ADN school? Don't try to resolve this on the phone with the support staff. They have to follow the rules. You need to go high enough up in management to get someone with the power to bend the rules. You need to meet with them in person.
If you went to a state college, call your state representative. See if they can help you get this resolved. They vote on funding for state schools, so they will have more sway than you.
If your ADN college does clinicals where you work, see if anyone in management at your work can help you resolve this.
This is the time to pull any strings you have.

Holy moly!

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · May 13, 2015

That's just it. You won't be allowed to practice as a nurse since you won't have a license since you don't have a degree. I'm confused as to how you got an att without completing college and I'm sorry, I'm not buying that they added more classes after you graduated, that's implausible beyond belief. I also call bunk that there isn't a record somewhere that you completed hs, didn't you have to provide a copy of your diploma to your nursing school?

so many big holes in this tale...

I would like to know how I can practice as a nurse now with no completed associate degree, but license will not be renewed next year. I would think that would be a liability issue.

Nursing5000 · May 13, 2015

That's just it. You won't be allowed to practice as a nurse since you won't have a license since you don't have a degree. I'm confused as to how you got an att without completing college and I'm sorry, I'm not buying that they added more classes after you graduated, that's implausible beyond belief. I also call bunk that there isn't a record somewhere that you completed hs, didn't you have to provide a copy of your diploma to your nursing school?
so many big holes in this tale...

Why would I have holes in my story I am trying to get help. The dean of nursing signed my completion for me to take NCLEX . I will send you requirements for 2009 that did not require biology 101 versus current cirriculum. Lawyers have tried to help me no one knows what to do. I am going through process of getting GED. I have tried everything possible to keep my license. I hope this never happens to anyone else I love my job and being a nurse.

Nursing5000 · May 13, 2015

Thank you I am doing everything I possibly can including taking GED.

Nursing5000 · Oct 9, 2015

To follow up I am taking a biology class and the college agreed to waive my high school diploma. I hope no one else finds themselves in this situation always make sure you cross all T's. Some people think I lied and never finished degree the program director signed my nclex application. I completed to requirements for 2009 the year I graduated. I had received my RN from state board did not care about diploma.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Oct 13, 2015

When you applied for nursing school, didn't they require proof of a high school diploma? I can't think of any undergraduate, post high school education program that doesn't require that. Usually, if you don't provide proof you don't get admitted anyways.

I would definitely see the Dean of the School of Nursing where you got your ADN, and the head of Student Services. I can't imagine someone not helping you, especially if your license is on the line.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2015

I have asked similar questions before but I need help from fellow nurses. I have called attorney's to help they do not know what to do. License will be suspended in 2016 because I don't have associate degree. I am currently employed as an RN at hospital. I took NCLEX in 2009 passed licensed with no issues. College states my degree is not complete found out when I applied to get BSN. I informed board myself because I was worried about license and working. Cannot take class that state I need because they do not have high school diploma on file and I graduated 20 years ago and don't have it. I need advice my job is my life before anyone is hateful imagine being in my situation. I will lose my job, life, income and insurance in 6 months.

Even if you went to high school 20 years ago - your school district will have records. You may have to paid to have them searched but you can get them. I recently got all my high school transcripts and diploma from over 30 years ago.

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2015

PS I also went to Private religious schools my whole life but they are still required to file records with the State could it be under another version of your name or a misspelling. Look through old scrap books for your original. If not pay for a background check to get the records. A friend of mine in his 70's lost his high school information and the states records couldn't find it so he went and searched the microfiche himself and found it.