transcripts rejected

justme1972 · Jun 10, 2008

hello - wasn't sure if i should post here or the gn / nclex forum but here goes...
i graduated from a cooperative nursing program (diploma school linked with community college so i earn a diploma and AS degree) in NJ and applied for licensure in Pa since that is where my future employer is located...since I was educated out of state, I was required to submit official transcripts with my application
i began to suspect a problem when my paperwork took >1.5 weeks to process and I called the Pa BON last Tues and they stated nothing was processed yet but I should have my ATT card by last Friday and to call back if it was not received then...i received nothing so i called friday and was advised my paperwork was not yet processed
today i received a canned nonspecific letter dated 6/4 (last wednesday) stating that my transcripts were rejected with 7 possible reasons listed but the letter did not cite the specific reason why my transcripts were rejected...i am not the first or only applicant from this school to apply to Pa and neither the director of my diploma program nor the registrar of the community college can recall ever receiving a rejection of official transcripts...the BON did not return phone calls to either me or the school registrar today so nobody really knows what to do
has anyone experienced this before or have any suggestions...we are all hoping for return calls tomorrow and hoping it can maybe be figured out via the telephone but this delay is making me a little crazy...any suggestions would be appreciated...i followed the instructions exactly as noted on their application just not sure what the issue is
thanks in advance

I have a feeling that it was a simple office glitch...I can't imagine them rejecting your transcripts because of the program you graduated from..if others have done it.

Sounds like someone at your school may have forgot to stamp the transcripts "official".

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 10, 2008

I would suggest that you ask your school to help you deal with the PA BON. The BON might be quicker at returning the phone calls, etc. from a nursing school than from an individual new grad.

Also, I would look into the possibility of getting your license in New Jersey while you are working things out with PA. It might be easier to transfer your license from one state to the other than to get your original licensure in PA. Maybe not ... but it is worth looking into.

Good luck.

jenn_rn_nj · Jun 10, 2008

thanks for the replies / suggestions...my school's registrar and i both phoned the BON and neither of us received a callback in over 48 hours...i got a little assertive / demanding today and i received a callback in about 3.5 hours...i'm sure word spread of the crazy girl that called 3 times in a row requesting to speak with a person not a machine...i know they are likely very busy but to get no response to my inquiries whatsoever is really not acceptable after 2 full business days

i don't think they like me very much right now but c'mon they are supposed to regulate my professional practice yet they themselves are unprofessional when they fail to return calls from last friday and yesterday so what kind of an example are they setting, it really is frustrating and unprofessional - i don't think it's too much to ask for a return call within 12-24 hours

the individual who did call me back did not have access to my file but stated i am not permitted to send my own transcripts...i read her the instructions printed on the application that state to send the transcripts attached to the application in a sealed program envelope...she said i must have failed to do that...i informed her they were in a sealed program envelope stamped "official transcript" with a sticker over the envelope flap that also stated "official transcript" and that they should be opened by the addressee only...she said they will have to "look into things" and that i will receive a callback tomorrow from someone with access to my fild...the registrar opted to send another set of official transcripts today but since we really haven't confirmed the problem yet i'm not sure if that will resolve it or not

i'm really just happy somebody called me back today...though nothing was really resolved the fact that someone took the time to communicate with me certainly lowered my frustration level...i understand paperwork glitches happen and i'm not trying to blame but i just wanted someone to communicate with me

thanks for listening =)

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 10, 2008

It's been a while since I transferred from state to state ... but I have done it 9 times in my career. In some places you have to fill out the application, the send the application to your school and have them attach the transcript. Perhaps that is what they were expecting.

justme1972 · Jun 12, 2008

You need to get in touch with your STATE Senatory (not US, but State).

That is their job if you are having problems with a particular state organization. Their policy is nutty...if you hand your original application over to the school, then you are risking them losing it. Most major universities will simply refuse to do that.

I would also see if there is a nursing organization that covers your state and write the President of that organization a letter explaining your issue.

jenn_rn_nj · Jun 14, 2008

You need to get in touch with your STATE Senatory (not US, but State).

I was advised that my new transcripts would not "go to the bottom of the pile" so to speak but get forwarded on for review upon receipt since my file is already considered "active".

Given that they were sent from central NJ to central Pa this past Tuesday, I'm estimating that they were received at the locked PO Box in Harrisburg yesterday. They should be forwarded to the appropriate person during the day Monday. My thought is that I should receive my e-mailed ATT Monday or Tuesday. If I do not, I am going to call them first thing Wednesday morning (nobody ever called my back like promised last Wednesday so I still have no clue what was actually wrong with the original transcripts) and, if necessary, 4 hours later. If I do not receive a return call by 4pm Wednesday, then I do plan to contact the state senators and the representative for the district that covers Harrisburg and go from there.

They cashed my check this past Thursday, too, and I have nothing to show for it. hehe

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 15, 2008

Remember your dealing with state government program and big rush of new graduate applications..takes time to complete review. Give it till the end of the week before your BP rises.

caliotter3 · Jun 15, 2008

I haven't heard back from my board since I sent them a letter in response to their rejection of my application. I have let the ball drop and am debating whether I should just start the application process all over again or try to get some kind of response on my previous application. My state board is notorious for not answering inquiries. I really don't care to get into any arguments with anyone. I guess that is why I have let the matter go so long. It is so easy to get discouraged when they ignore you.