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

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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!

Specializes in LTC, Urgent Care.

I also live in PA. The LTC facility that I worked at used to hold onto your original license. It's only been in the last year or so that they started making copies. My current job is fine with just a copy.

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my lic is haing framed on my den wall.....

my job took copies....

i never heard of a wallet size??

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Specializes in ER, Pulmonary.

Hell no! You keep your license and give them a copy. They can look it up online. Mine is on my wall framed. Illinois looks it up online for verification.

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Specializes in LTC, Urgent Care.

i never heard of a wallet size??

In PA you get a wallet size license as well as "normal" size one. Not sure why, but that's what they do.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would not feel comfortable with them holding on to my ORIGINAL license. Heck, I EARNED it, have the right to show it to others and should not have to pay extra money to obtain another copy of it.

I would continue to demand it back, sure. But, I would also order a second copy for your records in case they really try not to return it, and consider this as a lesson learned. That is a great deal of nerve on their part. Great nerve.

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I earned my license, it is MINE, and nobody (except the BON) can take it away from me! As for the paper form, it's almost symbolic, with the electronic form being the way most employers determine status. Still, I'd not let any employer take something that is SO mine.

I think your employer might be trying to "bully" you, as you are a new nurse, and it's in the employer's interest to "take" your license, leaving you dependent.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

I would insist that they return my licence. I am not even in agreement with anyone taking copies of my licence because it could just too easily fall into the wrong hands. Can your facility really 100% guarantee safekeeping of your licence.

On line verification with your state BON should be enough.

Sounds like you have a very controlling supervisor.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
I would get it back, that sounds to weird. They should just make a copy:bugeyes:

That is what Louisiana has always done in the past -just make a copy for your file, never had someone just keep it. Just sounds a little strange.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in LTC.

In Tennessee you also get a wallet size and a larger one, its very convenient to have the smaller one

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

I have always had a copy made by my employer. I would never hand over my original to someone to keep. Number one that just too much a risk because you never know who's hands it could get into and number two I just don't see a valid reason for them to keep your original copy since you can verify everything online now.

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get your original license back. they just need a copy of it!!

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Specializes in Sub-Acute/Psychiatric/Detox.

Wouldn't it make sense to have a paper copy or something on hand. Also they have no right to keep your license.

What if it was an emergency and you had to get to work during a state of emergency (Blizzard, Tornado, hurricane, etc.). Showing that nursing license will allow the Police Officer to let you up the road leading to the place you work at.

Employee ID would work also.

Seems confusing to me.

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