lizzyd

Hi, I graduated in 2010 with my MSN (PNP track) and then took boards in 2011. I then took some time off and traveled, then I worked as a travel nurse trying to figure out where I wanted to settle down. I'm now finally applying for an NP position at the hospital where I work as an RN. I was told that I need to retake Pharm class because it has been over two years since I graduated. I asked the other NPs at the hospital and they had never heard of this policy either. The person hiring is an interim manager and works as an RN and isn't an NP. I don't have a problem with retaking pharm class if this really is a legitimate requirement, but obviously would rather not if it's not necessary (plus it's expensive). I was wondering if anyone has been in this situation before? Thanks for the help!

Hi, I'm sorry you're having a bad time with Rush. If there's anything I can do to help please let me know. The IT people have always been really helpful when I've called them.

I think I know who it is you're talking about. She was very rude to me too during the application process. Everyone else is very helpful, nice, and knowledgeable- my advisor and all the profs I've had. Also, the classes have been great and many of them are offered online so it's very convenient.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows of any good scrub stores in Chicago? I tried searching yellowpages but can't seem to find anything. I live in Lincoln Park and am willing to drive some ways (not further than 40 min) to find a good store. I like Dickies scrubs (hip flip and bohemian style). I found one store on Elston but they seem to sell mainly larger sizes and the very basic styles. Thanks!!! Lizzy D

Hi, This is kind of a late reply but I applied very late to Rush and they accepted me in Aug and I started in Sept. It really depends on a variety of factors including which program you're interested in and how many students they already have, as well as how flexible you are. If you call them, they will tell you right away which programs are full for fall. Good luck! Lizzy D

Hi, I posted a few weeks about having some trouble with the IL BON regarding my license by endorsement (from CA). I finished my class training at work and have been on hold (not working) while I wait for this license which has taken 4 months. They finally called me back today after I asked for the supervisor. She told me that they are REJECTING my application because I attended an accelerated masters program that doesn't confer an actual RN degree (bc you go right into the master's program). I transferred to a better school in IL to finish my master's after completing the RN portion and passing the NCLEX in CA. The part that upsets me the most is that my classmate in nursing school with the same exact education (we transferred and moved here together to finish our masters degrees) received her IL license in July and has been a nurse here ever since. I pointed out the fact that they have accelerated programs here in IL that are almost exactly the same as mine and that my friend has her license, but the supervisor refused to listen to my reasoning or questions. Short of packing my bags and moving back home to CA, what can I do? I decided to go back to school and become a nurse because I really wanted a job where I could help people and be proud of what I do. Now, I feel so sad and disappointed and UNWANTED (at least in IL). Sniffle I've already contacted the dean at my current and previous nursing schools but I'm not sure that there's anything they can do. Plus I just feel like a burden bringing my problems to them. (And if anyone was wondering, I have NOTHING else flagged on my application. The worst crime I've ever committed was the one speeding ticket I got 5 years ago.)

i really intended this thread to be a question/response regarding who to send my complaint letter to. i did not realize that my postings/actions would be analyzed. it is nice to know that there are nurses/people out there who care enough to warn others. i have done my research and am fully aware of what i am allowed and not allowed to do and have already confirmed all of this with the IL BON as well as my hospital unit, hr, and legal dept. i appreciate the input and will send my complaint letter to the ppl all of you recommended. thanks!!

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll send a copy of my complaint letter to all the people suggested here. In response to protecting my license- I think you misunderstood. When I said I don't care about my license, I meant that I'm not complaining merely for personal reasons. I spent a lot of time and money getting my license, obviously it matters. I'm not actually working on the floor yet, I'm in training classes for another several weeks. I'm not signing my name on any charts or forms bc we are practicing on dummies. Hopefully, I'll have my temporary license by the time I finish the hospital classes in 6 weeks. I have not read anywhere that you're not allowed to be in training classes with license pending, since there is not patient contact. Suzanne- I agree with you that doing a thorough check on every nurse is their job. If that really was what all the time was spent on, I would not even think of complaining. However, my original application was not even opened until 6+ weeks after it reached the office. The forms I resubmitted took 4+ weeks to be acknowledged as received. Their website says that a temporary license is issued 2 weeks after their system receives the application. That's why I was saying that it's a combination of a poor system and understaffing (or laziness, I prefer to think it's the other two reasons).

Hi, Thanks for replying. I wanted to file a complaint because even before I arrived in IL, I was warned that it would take "forever" to receive a license by endorsement. It has been over 3 months and I am still waiting for my TEMPORARY license. They have lost pages of my application (which I had to resubmit), they are weeks behind, the staff is rude and impatient when you call to check on status etc. Last week, they told me that, they will, "take as long as they feel like taking". That to me, is an unacceptable answer. I know a lot of people have had problems with them, but it seems like no one has ever tried to do anything about it. I just feel like they are taking advantage of the fact that no one will say anything out of fear that their file will get "misplaced". If may be due to understaffing, a poor system, human error, or a combination of many factors. I don't even care that much about my license personally, since my new job says that I can keep working under another nurse until it is processed. I just think that considering the nursing shortage, processing new nurses should be a priority and this issue should be brought to someone's attention so that it can be remedied.

It really depends also on what the rest of your schedule is like. For example in nursing school, I was on night shifts for one of my clinicals. Unfortunately, I also had day shifts on other days (5 am) and classes very early (7 or 8 am). I had the absolute worst time trying to switch back and forth throughout the week. That was easily the worst semester of my education. It's much easier if you are only on night shifts and don't need to be up early. Also, as dixielee said, it helps to be able to sleep during the day, I decided to live alone when I chose night shift this year, so I wouldn't have to worry about conflicting schedules with a roommate.

Hi, I posted this already in the IL forum as I'm referring to the IL BON but I thought I'd post here as well to see if anyone has any suggestions? I'm writing a formal complaint letter against the IL BON and was wondering if anyone knows who to direct it to? Is there any sort of national regulation? I tried the NCSBN site but didn't see any contacts there. Thanks!

Hi, I would like to write a formal complaint letter against the IL BON and am wondering if anyone has suggestions as to who I should direct this letter to? I am new the Chicago area and am particularly confused by the BON being included in the IDPR. I know that a lot of people have had problems with the IL BON and I cannot believe that there's nothing we can do about it!! Thanks!!

You should send in all the information as quickly as possible. I've been waiting for 3 months, still haven't even received my TEMPORARY license yet. Good luck!!

Hi, It has been over two months since I applied for an IL RN license by endorsement (I'm licensed in CA). It took 1 1/2 months for them to contact me and tell me that I was missing the ED-NUR form (the education certification form). I sent this with my application and somehow they lost this one page. So I sent them an official copy of my transcript which I had on hand and could send faster than getting a new ED-NUR through my school. It has been several weeks since they received that document (per my fedex tracking, it definitely got there) and I called today and they said that my file has been "forwarded to management". They said this occurred almost 2 weeks ago. However, no one in the office can tell me what forwarded to management actually means. Does anyone have any experience with this or advice? I have a job waiting and I'm afraid they won't wait much longer. I would drive there despite it being 4 hours away, except I'm not sure how that would even help. I even sent them the ED-NUR form again after getting it from my school for the second time. Please help!! Lizzy

I'm sure you've realized by now that CA will not send directly to you, they sent mine to IL BON. Did you get your temp license yet? I'm still waiting. That IDPR website is horrible, their phone lines are even worse. I think it's completely unprofessional to have busy signals!! I haven't been able to get through to ask if they are processing my application! At this rate, I'll never be able to work! sniffle