So i'm a Nurse right????

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What do you call a graduate Nurse who has not taken boards? a nurse? just not licensed yet?.... hmm...

Specializes in Telemetry.

graduate nurse.

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Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU.

But to be a NURSE, you must licensed. I understand what you are saying, and I realize it's an odd transition time, but there is no such thing as an unlicensed nurse. That's a medical assistant, basically.

But if it makes you feel better to say you are a nurse, by all means... as you can see, not many people would consider you a nurse without passing the NCLEX.

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You are not actually an RN until you pass the NClEX.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Some states may regard you as a Graduate Nurse for a limited period (usually around 90 days) after you graduate from nursing school and while you wait to take the NCLEX. States, such as Massachusetts, stopped letting letting these "Graduate Nurses Practice Nursing while waiting on their licensure in 1994 . Not all areas do this though. Technically taking the NCLEX makes you a Registered Nurse. However, in most states, it is illegal to use the title of nurse in any form, unless your licensed as such.

I just found something interesting via Google. I Googled "Graduate Nurse status" and an interesting page came up from the New Hampshire BON and giving Graduate Nurses a one time Temporary license to practice nursing. using the Title Graduate Nurse (GN) or Graduate Practical Nurse (GPN). The temporary license last for 120 days and can't be renewed after that period. I am assuming this is allow a graduate nurse time to take the NCLEX and switch over to being a Registered Nurse (RN).. I'll place the link here at the bottom. I think my state of NC has something similar to this, but I am not sure, I will have to research it. I know NC grants temp licenses, but I'm not sure under what circumstances. Do some Googling and refer to your state BONs website, shoot call and ask someone on the BON if you must. Congrats on graduating!!!!!

http://www.nh.gov/nursing/licensure/practicing.htm

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Specializes in LTC.

You are a Graduate Nurse until you pass the NCLEX.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Some states may regard you as a Graduate Nurse for a limited period (usually around 90 days) after you graduate from nursing school and while you wait to take the NCLEX. States, such as Massachusetts, stopped letting letting these "Graduate Nurses Practice Nursing while waiting on their licensure in 1994 . Not all areas do this though. Technically taking the NCLEX makes you a Registered Nurse. However, in most states, it is illegal to use the title of nurse in any form, unless your licensed as such.

Graduate Nurses (GN's) are still legal in many states. I'm not saying it's a good idea. I found it kind of scary that someone could work, unlicensed, for a year and it was completely legal.

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

No you are not a nurse. Not until you pass the NCLEX and are licensed by a state.

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

in my state you would be a graduate nurse. however, in my eyes, if you aren't working as a licensed nurse, you aren't a nurse.

you may have graduated nursing school, but you haven't passed the most important test yet

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.
You are a Graduate Nurse until you pass the NCLEX.

Yes, this.

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Specializes in LTC.

You are a graduate nursing student.

You are not a nurse until you have taken and passed your NCLEX PN or NCLEX RN

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Actually, a graduate nursing student is someone who is either in a master's or a doctoral level nursing program. Doesn't matter if the person is already a nurse (RN or LPN/LVN) or doing an entry-level program. When you're acting as a student, you're a graduate nursing student.

When you finish your program and are waiting to take NCLEX or get your results, you are a graduate nurse (GN or GPN). But first check with your state BON. Used to be, at least in my state, that a GN or GPN could hold that status until either passing or failing boards. However, that was back in the day when it took six weeks to get results. Times have changed.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I graduated a few weeks ago, I got my Lic. exactly a week after graduation. Been licensed for almost 2 weeks. Still feel like a student and have it feels weird calling myself a Nurse. Although I am one. I even have my little wallet card to prove it. LOL

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