Receiving a license for vocational nursing in California

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I just received my notice that I passed the NCLEX-PN in California. I mailed the fee and am waiting for the license but I have a few questions.

  1. How long should I expect to wait for the actual license?
  2. Will I see my name on the BVNPT before I receive it in the mail.
  3. Can I work as a LVN once my name is on the BVNPT or do I have to wait until I have my license in hand.
  4. Does anyone know of a good area to try to find work at? (So far all the places I've checked wants 1 year experience)

Thanks! :clown:

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I got my lvn license in 2005. But I don't know if anything has changed in the last few years.

1. How long should I expect to wait for the actual license?

It took me about 4 1/2 weeks after I took boards to get my congratulations letter. And after that I got my actual license I believe another 3-4 weeks later

2. Will I see my name on the BVNPT before I receive it in the mail.

I didn't, but then again, that could have changed. I didn't have my license in hand yet, but knew my license number, and did apply for jobs, they just looked me up on the website to verify and said I could give them a copy of my license when it arrived.

3. Can I work as a LVN once my name is on the BVNPT or do I have to wait until I have my license in hand.

That is up to the facility, I was hired at the facility, but by the time I started orientation, I did have my license in hand. You don't always start the day you are hired. But they scheduled me for orientation just with my name on the website.

4. Does anyone know of a good area to try to find work at? (So far all the places I've checked wants 1 year experience) I don't know where in California you are looking, but I looked on every sort of website indeed is a good website. I recommend looking outside the box. There are lots of group homes for developmentally disabled and elderly that sometimes hire LVNS assisted living facilities, even university student health centers. :)

Good luck and hope it helps!

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Thank you! This helps a lot. I plan on walking into local places that use LVN's. This way I can see if the DON is available and hand in a resume at the same time. I know of others who have done this and it gave them a bit of an edge. Thanks again for your input.

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After I mailed in the fee I saw my name on BVNPT website by next wek, and received my license a week after that. Total time was 2 wks. My friend waited for a month to have the whole process completed. Hopefully that won't happen to you. I know the prison is hiring LVNs right out of school. Go to carerbuilders.com Good Luck

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ICU, ED.

1. How long should I expect to wait for the actual license?

It took around 2=3 weeks for me to receive my actual license from the time I paid for it.

2. Will I see my name on the BVNPT before I receive it in the mail.

I saw my name a month after I took the NCLEX-PN.

3. Can I work as a LVN once my name is on the BVNPT or do I have to wait until I have my license in hand.

It really depends on the employer. I recall that you can get an temporary license until your actual license arrives. I drove to Sacramento and paid for my license in person and they asked me if I needed a temporary license. I got one just in case.

4. Does anyone know of a good area to try to find work at? (So far all the places I've checked wants 1 year experience) Try applying at the places where you did your clinical. You may have luck there as they already know you.

Good luck!

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I got my lvn license in 2005. But I don't know if anything has changed in the last few years.

1. How long should I expect to wait for the actual license?

It took me about 4 1/2 weeks after I took boards to get my congratulations letter. And after that I got my actual license I believe another 3-4 weeks later

2. Will I see my name on the BVNPT before I receive it in the mail.

I didn't, but then again, that could have changed. I didn't have my license in hand yet, but knew my license number, and did apply for jobs, they just looked me up on the website to verify and said I could give them a copy of my license when it arrived.

3. Can I work as a LVN once my name is on the BVNPT or do I have to wait until I have my license in hand.

That is up to the facility, I was hired at the facility, but by the time I started orientation, I did have my license in hand. You don't always start the day you are hired. But they scheduled me for orientation just with my name on the website.

4. Does anyone know of a good area to try to find work at? (So far all the places I've checked wants 1 year experience) I don't know where in California you are looking, but I looked on every sort of website indeed is a good website. I recommend looking outside the box. There are lots of group homes for developmentally disabled and elderly that sometimes hire LVNS assisted living facilities, even university student health centers. :)

Good luck and hope it helps!

how did you know your license number? and where can i find it?

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Specializes in Psych, Med-Surg, utter confusion, chaos!.

Put in your info and voila!

Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians

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