Somebody Probably has access to YOUR License Number!

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Guys,

Just wanted to let you know. That anybody that has the internet can probably get your Nursing liscense number, address, and telephone number from your state's depart. of health website. I don't know what the sites are but for tennessee it's http://www.state.tn.us\health . I looked up and found mom's and come to find out there was a woman practicing under mom's name and liscense number in a different city. It's kind of scary. Mom said that when she graduate back in the "good ole days" they were always told not to give your license number to ANYBODY for ANY reason. Were you guys told that too?

Brett

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Frankly, Brett, I don't see how that could happen. You need way more documentation than your nursing license to get a job. :)

PS Did the imposter go to jail yet? For how long?

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No, it wasn't just that...but that's how we found out about it b\c it showed my mom not being here but in another city and we got to checking things out...I know it sounds sketchy...but we are still finding out details too. We do know that this person IS a LPN but was using mom's RN stuff to get paid more etc.

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I believe it !! I don't have a license# yet(I test in October). However, I had my social security number stolen by a guy in California, and he bought several cars, opened sev. checking accts,etc.....And I never would have found out had I not gone to purchase some cd's at the bank...

I never give out much info. now to anyone....Not that I did before, but you never know !!

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I don't understand how this could happen either? For every nursing job that I have had since 1978, I have had to give a copy of my license, a copy of my social security card, and a copy of my driver's license or other photo ID. How did this woman convince her employer that she was an RN without the actual license in her hand. Obviously they didn't call the board of nursing to verify her license number as being hers? Are employers that careless in Tennesee?

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It's becoming a trend for Hospitals and other places to look up to verify that you're a RN on the State's website. I know they do that at several hospitals and then print a copy out like that. She had a Fake driver's license and everything. I'll keep you guys posted as we find out more details...we don't know much since we just discovered this today.

Brett

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Thats scary Brett. Identity theft is scary.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

I know I'm still listed under the State of TN with my MI address and I'm listed as inactive and expired license. I never even used my TN license.

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I think you can look up license numbers here in Indiana too from the Indianagov page. I am too tired to link it now, but I know you can. I looked up my number. Indiana's database will give you the person's name, type of license (MD, DDS, RN, etc), the number of the license and the issue date. Pretty scare stuff floating out there. :eek:

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

Brett:

Like Fiesty, to apply for nursing jobs here in California (and in Oregon and Hawaii) one must submit xerox copies of the RN license, BLS certificate, driver's license or birth certificate or passport, SS card, PHN certificate (if relevant) AND also show the actual original cards and documents either to HR or during the initial interview. (The VA also wants a DD214 copy if one is a veteran and official nursing school transcripts sent directly from the school.)

Obviously, with all this documentation, anyone in HR or in the entire chain from HR to hiring manager with access to these records could easily swing an identity theft operation.

I don't have a solution, however, since an employer is certainly entitled to know this information (some of it is required by the federal government, in order to minimize the hiring of undocumented people--laughing out loud).

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.

Every employer I have been at has wanted an actual photocopy of the license. They periodically check the website to see that our fee was paid if we don't have the license in hand (for renewals ONLY) on the day it expired. Our employer can then let us work provided the website states that we are current and the license is simply in the mail. And even then, the employer wants a photocopy of the new one too.

I don't see how anyone can just use my name and license #; it's the employer's responsibility to obtain copies.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

That is really scarey! OMgosh I will check with OHio Board of nursing to see if that is possible here............

sheesh.

renerian

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