question on cover/resume wording

[OutWest]

I have been a long time lurker on this site and really appreciate all the advise that I have read over the last several years. My question is about the wording on cover letters and resumes in regards to the estimated time that I will sit for the NCLEX. One year ago, Colorado disallowed the hiring of GN's. A few facilities offer 'internships' until the passing of the NCLEX, but those facilities are few. Colorado also changed the rules about how to apply for 'authorization to test'. It used to be that a letter from the nursing school stating successful completion of the program was all that was needed to start the application process. Now, we have to wait for official school transcripts in hand before applying. Since we are coming up on winter break, the registrars office is not making any promises about having transcripts done before they leave for the winter break. This leaves us in limbo without knowing how to predict when we will actually be able to sit for the NCLEX. What are some suggestions on how to word the unknown timeframe of taking the NCLEX when applying for jobs with a cover letter and resume? Thank you.

[caliotter3]

I'm in a similar situation, although unique. Since I understand that the process can take forever under the best of circumstances and most of us can not wait for jobs....here is how I am handling it.... "Application for licensure as Registered Nurse pending" and leaving it at that. Also if you are desperate enough, apply for nursing assistant or PCA positions, it's better than being unemployed, and you might have access to advance knowledge (as well as an inside advantage) about future openings. P.S. I met a person at work once who had failed the RN boards 3 times, managed to pass the LPN boards during this process (she was from a foreign country, English was not her strong point) and still was employed/sponsored by an American employer, so don't despair.....the rules are just more difficult for you.

[OutWest]

Thank you for your response. I like how you have worded the pending license.

[Imafloat, BSN, RN]

On my resume I had a heading titled License. I wrote; NCLEX scheduled for 12/06. I got my job in October so the NCLEX date was still out a couple months. The hospital I will be working at doesn't have GN positions, they said it is too much liability (Children's Hospital).

Is this a new law? Was it in effect last year when those people graduated? If it was, I would either ask a friend who graduated then when they received their ATT or look up a few names (from that class) on the board of nursing verification website to see when they passed so you have a ballpark of when you will be taking it. We were told that we wouldn't be able to test until January at the earliest by our Dean. I knew a lot of people who graduated last November and they were able to take their NCLEX in December, that is where I got my date from. I took (and passed-whew) my NCLEX on December 8.

I am sure the HR people are aware of the laws and understand that you all are having to jump through many hoops to get your ATT. Best of luck to you!