UGGGHHHH!!!! A little long...

[Nia1976]

I am completely and utterly frustrated. I found out that I passed my NCLEX on April 12, 2010. In the process of checking the NCBON for my license number some time after, I found out that I needed to have a background check completed as well. So...I called the board to ask them about the background check and they said that I should have received that information from my school. Little background: I graduated in 2006 and had taken the NCLEX twice already. A background check for North Carolina was not required then. So when I registered for the exam this time around, nothing was said or printed about a background check and I was actually proud of myself that I got everything in a timely manner.

So now, that I have it complete I found out that it may take up to 6 weeks before they get the information back and I will not be issued a license number until then. Who has time to wait for that!!!!! The board had no excuse for why no information was provided about a background check. Or why someone like me, who didn't have the support of a school to verify everything was completed, isn't informed on the website when you are signing up for your test.

Is there anyone else out there who have experience this same thing in NC, or did I really just miss something when I applied for testing?

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

Yeah, it does sound like something that should be listed with the info on applying for new licensure in your state (not necessarily when you sign up for the NCLEX though).

Background checks are generally pretty quick nowadays, so hopefully they are just quoting you a longer time to cover themselves. You can always call them every few days just to 'check on the status.' You know, make yourself well-known enough that they want to hurry along your paperwork, but not such a nuisance that they are annoyed by you and want to slow your paperwork down!

Sorry you have to get delayed, hopefully it's not going to interfere with any nursing jobs you've gotten!!

[Nia1976]

Thank you. I was thinking about calling them again, but didn't want to be a pest. Its just so frustrating to get through taking the test and then have to go through more just to get what you work so hard for.

It hasn't had an affect any nursing job offers yet, but it would be nice to confidently know that someone could check my license number and know that it would be verified.

[RNTutor, BSN, RN]

Just be honest with your potential employers, but make sure you're not negative. You can tell them something along the lines of "Don't worry, I passed NCLEX so my license is on its way, but the paperwork just got tied up so it's going to be a few extra weeks."

If you start going off into a rant about how incompetent the state board is, how unfair, whatever, then they're probably not going to want to work with you Not that it sounds like you would do that, but just fyi.

I know it's frustrating, but take a deep breath, say a quick prayer for patience, and remember it's only a matter of time.

And CONGRATS on passing the NCLEX

[caliotter3]

Congratulations on passing NCLEX. Your processing time for the background check will not take as long as you expect. The hard part is over.