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...

In my state you would be considered a GN, a graduate nurse. A GN holds a temporary license, meaning that although she is not a registered nurse, she is still considered a nurse. The temporary license is good until, a) she passes NCLEX, b) she fails NCLEX, or c) ninety days elapses without either of the two previous options occurring.

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I would call you NR= Not Registered. :rotfl:

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Specializes in Psych.

In Vermont we are GN until we get our "RN application for liscensure by exam" passed into the board and get our 3 month temp license. With that temp license we can work as an RN except in supervision, and must have another RN directly supervising us. We can sign our names with RN. Last week I got to sign my name with RN instead of LPN and do a couple of things I couldn't do as an LPN. :monkeydance: I'm still in a state of shock and don't feel like an RN yet.

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Specializes in SICU.

thank you for the opinions. i like the posters who clarified the point i was trying to make, that when one has graduated nursing school, one is no longer referred to as a nursing student... really it doesnt make sense to call one a graduate nursing student as when you graduate, it means you have completed your course of study.

in no way do i underestimate the importance of the nclex, however, when one is functioning in the role of a nurse i.e on a temporary license (and again, i understand that some states do not do this) one [color=lime]is a nurse...just not a licensed individual. and again, that is where the term rn comes into play... when you have taken the nclex, you are registered thus on top of being a nurse, you have shown the competency and attained the status of a licensed (lpn) or registered (rn) nurse.... :hotchocolate:

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I have graduated, passed the NCLEX first time, been looking for a job for 4 months and I don't feel comfortable saying I'm a Nurse. Not untill I get a job and work as one! :crying2:

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

GN or graduate nurse.

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

In PA, you would be considered a GN(graduate Nurse) and that's how you'd sign your name...wouldn't be allowed to give IVP meds untill you've passed NCLEX.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

People have been asking me this for the last month "So you're a nurse now right?" and I never know what to say! I usually call myself a nurse that can't practice nursing haha.

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What you can call yourself is very state dependent. Asking here is not going to help you. Look in your Nurse Practice Act-I'm confident that is where you will find the exact answer you need.

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Specializes in Rehab.

Sine I have not taken and passed my boardss yet, I consider myself a graduate nurse waiting on the.state to process my temp license until I pass my boards. Though at my job that I got hired as an RN I'm not sure how I will sign to begin with? Cause I'm not officially an RN yet. Just finished.the schooling

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

Niko1999,

Please look on your state BON website to see how you should sign. You will likely either sign "GN" for graduate nurse or "RNA" for Registered Nurse Applicant" depending on your state.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

lt's the same in the legal profession ... When you graduate from law school you are considered a JD, the same academic degree which you earn ... sometimes they are called law grads. But you may never add "Esq." after your name until you have passed the bar exam of any state. That is the designation of a licensed lawyer.

To be honest, if it could be done I would gladly trade in my Esq. for an RN right now. Just have to be patient (no pun intended) ... as in about a year I can have both :D

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