Published
The staff of the Georgia Board of Nursing have certain parameters within which they may approve applications for licensure. When applicants have criminal or disciplinary history that falls outside of the Board determined parameters the application must be reviewed by the Board. The Georgia Board of Nursing meets every other month (January, March, May, etc.) for two days to conduct business. To keep business moving in a timely manner, the Board appoints "cognizant members" to review information between board meetings. Cognizants are individuals appointed by the Board who make decisions that are then presented to the full Board for ratification. Members of the Georgia Board of Nursing are not paid employees of the State of Georgia and have other jobs and responsibilities outside of the Board. Most of the cognizants' work is done on nights and weekends during board members' "spare" time. Unfortunately, the staff is typically unable to provide a definite timeline for cognizant review. Most cognizant decisions are returned to the staff within three weeks. It is important to note that the cognizant may direct the staff how to proceed or the cognizant may refer the file to the full Board.
Hello Monkey.
I am still patiently waiting for the cognizant to make a decision. I do call weekly and have found out from customer service rep. that my file is still with the cognizant. I try my hardest to be patient because I AM the one who got myself into this situation to begin with. I made the bad choice years ago and I will face the consequences. That being said, it is hard to wait and I can't help but be a bit jealous of my "nursing school buddies" who already have their license. Good Luck and God Bless. Everything will turn out good for the both of us.
Sheri
Hey guys, I was in the same situation just a few weeks ago. I'm a May graduate,a nd I initially submitted my application may 3rd ... took boards on June 3rd, and I did not get my license until August 3rd, after the board met & reviewed middle of July. I had put "Yes" on the background/arrest question in regards to an expunged charge. It's impossible to be patient when you're waiting on something so important, but you just have to wait.
Best of luck.
There isn't a specific time frame, to my knowledge. Mine just happened to be two months after I passed the NCLEX b/c of when the board met. I don't know about the cognizant... I know that there was an "analyst" handling my case. The board grants/denies on a case by case basis, and I know as long as you're honest, you are more than likely going to be okay.
sheri644
14 Posts
Have any of you been subject to a review before issue of your RN license by GBON? I answered "yes" to a suspension on a previous teaching license that I held so now my initial licensure as a RN is being held up. I passed the NCLEX three weeks ago. I have been told the "cognizant board member" is reviewing my file. If you have been thru this please tell me how long it took. I am pretty sure my file will not have to go to the full board which meets in Sept, but how long will it take this board member?