Orientation - license in hand?

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

The DON at my facility has been allowing me to orient - and pass meds, with the charge nurse co-signing me - without a hard copy of my license. I have received notification that I passed the NCLEX.

One of my instructors said that this may not be kosher, and I can't find a clear answer on the BVNPT (California) site. For now, I've asked to return to working as a clerk until I have my license in hand, just to make sure everything's strictly legal.

Thoughts? Advice?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Have you sent your $120 check into the BVNPT? Have they cashed it? Is your license number appearing on the BVNPT's website?

As long as you have been issued a license number, you are a fully-fledged LVN.

Without a license, some places will allow you to work as a GVN (graduate vocational nurse). Your status gets upgraded to 'LVN' when you receive a license number.

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

Check has been sent - not cashed yet, according to online bank statement. I haven't seen my number come up on the website.

The DON's stance is that since I have passed NCLEX, I may work, I suppose, under the license of a supervising nurse, becoming fully-fledged and no longer needing co-signing when I have a license number.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I don't know how California works, but in Texas I began working as a GVN before evening sitting for the NCLEX. This is completely legal in Texas because it is bascially a temorary license, so nobody had to co-sign with me. These days you don't really need a paper copy of your license, it's all looked up on an online database. However unless have a license number with active status, I would be VERY wary about practicing. Your employer should know that too.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

I agree until you have your license number your are a graduate pn/graduate vn ..... I realize we tend to rely on our employers to know everything, but sometimes it is up to us to know what we can and cannot do as either new graduates or actually licensed. Always bear in mind while our institutions protect us as long as we follow policy , one misstep in our following policy and it all falls on us and our individual license.

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