Priority53

FYI, the COVID emergency auth is over but the new bandaid for OSBN's backlog is a temporary waiver that lets you practice under your license from another state. Your employer has to apply for you. https://www.oregon.gov/osbn/pages/LTC-emergencyexceptions.aspx

All my tasks on the "application status" checklist online were done on 1/5. I checked in by email, and OSBN's reply today explained that I had not yet submitted fingerprints and "it takes 6-12 weeks, minimum, after your prints are submitted for your background check results to be generated, returned to us, and reviewed by board staff." I'm horrified. I stupidly overlooked the fingerprinting because it wasn't on the checklist. (There are instructions on how to submit fingerprints on the PDF they generate with your application, and then never again, apparently.) I've accepted a job and was expecting to start in about 2 weeks. Could it really be 12 weeks OR MORE??? It looks like early last year people were seeing wait times of around 5-6 weeks, but someone on Reddit recently had to wait much longer. I'll have to look into emergency authorization. Is there any hope here???

Additional hugs here, if you want them.

I got in! Letter arrived on Dec 21. I just found this thread. Abbey, I messaged you on FB, totally want to start a group. Can't believe they're still stringing the letters out... good luck all!

I'm in the ABSN for 2018, got my letter on Dec 21. Hi!

Thanks for all this input! I've lived in the Bay Area before and have done the math - I can (just barely) live there as a CNA but I can't save anything. To go to school in CA it would be loans, loans, loans and probably a live-in caregiving job while I'm doing it. I'm definitely leaning toward staying put. Appreciate the suggestion of PA school, it had crossed my mind but I haven't had a chance to look into it yet. Will do.

(Cross-posted from the Pre-Nursing Student board. Thanks for reading!) I'm in my late 30s, I have a B.S. in biology, and I'm looking at changing careers from science editing (among other things) to nursing. Currently a new CNA on a med/surg unit and living with family on the east coast. I want to be an RN and live in San Francisco. I'm considering staying out east to do an accelerated BSN cheaply, then move to the Bay Area. However, I'm concerned about my job prospects as a new grad without a local professional network in California. Am I right to worry about this? Would I be better off taking a longer, more expensive path - working as a CNA in the Bay Area, then putting myself through a nursing program over there? On a personal note, I've been a rolling stone for over a decade and I feel anxiety and urgency about figuring out my career as I round the corner into middle age... I'm an excellent student and I'm confident I'll do well in whatever nursing program, fwiw. Thanks so much for your advice and for this great community!

(Cross-posted on the First Job board. Thanks for reading!) I'm in my late 30s, I have a B.S. in biology, and I'm looking at changing careers from science editing (among other things) to nursing. Currently a new CNA on a med/surg unit and living with family on the east coast. I want to be an RN and live in San Francisco. I'm considering staying out east to do an accelerated BSN cheaply, then move to the Bay Area. However, I'm concerned about my job prospects as a new grad without a local professional network in California. Am I right to worry about this? Would I be better off taking a longer, more expensive path - working as a CNA in the Bay Area, then putting myself through a nursing program over there? On a personal note, I've been a rolling stone for over a decade and I feel anxiety and urgency about figuring out my career as I round the corner into middle age... I'm an excellent student and I'm confident I'll do well in whatever nursing program, fwiw. Thanks so much for your advice and for this great community!