PLEASE HELP~My Job took my license~

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 23, 2009

In the old days, we did hold onto license in staff's employemtn file.

Nowadays with electonic access due to licenses being public info, our homecare agency just goes online and prints out license verification form. We've passed Joint Comission + yrly state inspection visits.

You can access via: http://www.licensepa.state.pa.us/

I'm on it almost daily reverifiying the 6,000 docs in agency's database!

AshiPanda · Apr 23, 2009

My job didn't take my license... I am a new LPN, so I don't know exactly how all that works. But... that sounds really weird to me. It's like the DMV wanting your driver's license. LoL!

I wouldn't let them keep my license, they can just make a copy of it if it's that important to them...

mume2mykidz · Apr 23, 2009

Ok I am a new LPN, graduated in December 08, took state boards April 3rd 09 passed (thank God)! I just received my license in the mail last week sometime, and my DON at my job told me they needed it. So on Monday I took it in to the office, and they told me to sign it I did, and I'm there waiting and the secretary says do you need something else? I said well don't I get it back? She said no if your full time we keep them! My DON was right there and she says yeah we hold on to them. Being a new nurse I had no idea so I didn't fight it. Now I spoke to some of the other nurses I work with today, and they said they tried to keep there's and they wouldn't let them. I looked on state boards website I am in Pennsylvania. I can't find anything saying who keeps it. Can someone please give me some advise on this. Tomorrow I work at my other job which I also worked there as a GPN haven't been there since I passed my boards, and they too need my license. So I left a message for the secretary letting her know that I need to pick my license up because my other job needs to see it. So, I guess we will see tomorrow if they give it back to me. Any advise is greatly appreciated!

they have made copies of it at my jobs!!

elkpark · Apr 23, 2009

More and more states are doing away with paper/plastic licenses entirely and going to an all-electronic system, so don't be too concerned (although I've certainly never heard of an employer keeping your original license -- reminds me of the courts taking your passport when you're charged with a crime so you can't leave the country! :)) In terms of verifying your license, I can tell you (having worked as a CMS and state hospital surveyor) that eyeballing and copying the physical license is no longer considered adequate verification of current licensure anyway -- when I was surveying several years ago, if a facility had copies of the current licenses in the personnel files but not evidence that they'd verified the licenses on line, we cited them for not having verified the licenses.

I haven't needed to produce a "physical" license in years, although I do have it at home. Next time I renew (next year), I won't get a new plastic license -- my state is finally doing away with them and going all-electronic.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2009

I am licensed in 3 different states. Texas, my state of current residence, stopped issuing the paper wallet-sized licenses in September 2008 in an effort to curb the practice of nurse-impostor fraud.

However, my license has always remained in my possession. If a new employer needs it, they're going to have to make a xerox copy of it or verify it online.

Since I'm a person who often works multiple jobs at once, it is impractical and unrealistic for one workplace to keep my license in their possession. What if I need the license to present to another workplace for a part-time job?

calgirl123 · Apr 23, 2009

I would get it back, that sounds to weird. They should just make a copy:bugeyes:

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 23, 2009

these days many nurses work several jobs and people still ask for the paper license...i would feel extremely uncomfortable for them to keep my license ..for me it would come down to either you hand it over or there are plenty of other jobs out there.....

justwannabanurse · Apr 23, 2009

Thanks guys for all your comments, I asked several of the nurses that I work with last night about this and asked if HR had their licenses also. They all said NO! Apparently at some point a memo was put out prior to me working there asking for their original licenses and noone would hand it over. So my take is why have my original if you only have copies of everyone else's? Doesn't make sense. Well I just got back from my job I had left that secretary a message yesterday letting her know that I would be there this morning to pick up my license because my other job needs to make a copy of it. I walked in and she handed me a copy of my license!!! I told her right away no I need the original, she got very nasty, and said "Well I need it back" I didn't comment because I don't intend to give it back she can keep the copy that she tried to give me! Thanks again for your comments I thought it was strange but at the same time I am a new nurse didn't think too much about it!

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 23, 2009

one of the states that i am lic. in actually sends three...two wallet size and one large one, that says on the back to post in a prominent place at your place of employment.......

caliotter3 · Apr 24, 2009

I once worked with a nurse from the Philippines who said that the DON had her license. I told her she needed to get her license back or contact the Board. The license is your property (or to be more precise, the Board's property, that you safeguard for the Board). The employer has no right to your license. Somebody is trying to control you.

tammy07 · Apr 24, 2009

I wouldnt give it back...there is no reason for them to have your license

PLEASE HELP~~~My Job took my license~~~

PLEASE HELP~My Job took my license~