Waited 7 months for my ATT in California

[ready4it]

I am an LVN in California and even work for the State of California. I graduated from an Accredited school in Florida. Before I decided to go to school in Florida, I did all my research and made sure I picked a school that would best fit my schedule and wouldn't have any problems being accredited for taking my NCLEX in California. I was set. Upon graduation, I flew directly back to California and went straight to work.

I first filled out my application on CAbreeze (online). However, every time I needed to find paperwork or find an answer, I would log off, and when I got back to it, all my information was gone and I had to fill everything out again from the beginning. This happened 4 times. I was frustrated, I printed the application out and decided to mail it instead. Being back at work, I was always in a rush with limited time and sent all my paperwork in a plain envelope and stamp. Went online and paid the Boards of RN and PEARSON Vue. Just my luck... 2 months went by and no ATT. I called, looked online... It said wait about 90 days. So I waited another month. I emailed about my status and they said they didn't receive anything from me!!! My heart dropped. Then the following week, I received a letter from the BRN requesting for all my pre-requisite transcripts. Which I didn't understand why they would need it. Another stress on hand. It took me 2 months to get it all together via online and paying for all those transcripts and waiting for them to arrive (I went to different schools to complete them). I finally was able to take a trip to Sacramento and request about my application. THEY NEVER RECEIVED MY APPLICATION THROUGH THE MAIL. I was so upset with myself for not making it certified mail!!!! All that personal information lost!!! All the worries of identity theft gained!!!! And no ATT!!! Luckily when I went there, I had copies of all my documents including ALL my transcripts of pre-req's.

When I went there, they told me they didn't need anything!! Whatever I kept filling out on CAbreeze, they were able to use. Then I showed the secretary my pre-reqs. She asked why I had those... When my transcript that was sent from my graduating school for RN would have it on there. Sure enough it was. I was irritated. I felt like I was sent on a wild goose chase, prolonging my wait, for NOTHING! She then told me that the only thing I need is to request a letter written from the school about a minor issue with the way the RN school's transcript is set up. Under the heading "Degree," it states, "Associate of Science in Nursing Bridge Program." So the BRN is confused why they would add "Bridge Program" when it's supposed to be the degree name only. They want an explanation for that. I left the office right away and called my school. This was 3 days before Christmas. Due to the time difference, when I called, the Admissions lady already left for the day, but lucky for me, she would be there the next day and would write the letter for me. I took another trip out there after the holidays in the beginning of January asking if they got the letter from the school with the explanation. They took a while to find my file, but they did. Then they said everything is complete and now it needs to be evaluated. What I don't understand is why it didn't already get sent to be evaluated. It was obvious that they got the letter and just threw it in my file and then put my file away. So I waited a couple of weeks. I emailed mid-Jan and asked about my status on the ATT and letting her know that I'm missing a great number of opportunities. Her reply was, "thank you for your patience, I will reach you Jan 27th." Jan 27th came by and no call, no email. I gave her another week. Then I went there again and they told me, it's being evaluated. I was so furious. I waited for a day off on a weekday in February and swore on that day I was going to make a trip to Sacramento and get the Secretary of the State and Department of Education involved. That Monday finally came! I got ready and did my normal routine with morning messages... Then my first email of that early morning, I received my ATT.

What a ridiculous journey!!!! I am still upset Til this day. I already booked my date which is coming up soon. I still don't know if I should complain about them. I do want to wait until after my NCLEX is taken. Should I still complain?

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

That sounds about average unfortunately. Many staff were cut from the state jobs a few years ago and this affected expediency in nurses getting their licenses. I don't think a complaint would do much good sadly. They are aware of the issues, but they don't have the staff to fix them. The average new licensee for LVN in California takes 4 to 6 months. So it's not out of the realm for a nurse attempting to transfer from another state to take longer. Sorry you had this frustration.

[ready4it]

Appreciate the thought and reasoning. I do hear that there is a long wait and I also hear that some wait only as long as a month or two. So I get mixed feelings. I don't want to focus on being so upset, but I had a lot of people, coworker's and school staff, asking me if I had finally taken the NCLEX, then comment why I am taking so long to test. I know I shouldn't let what others say affect me, but it does make me feel that my file was being neglected and others were piling on top of mine. I am thankful that I did finally receive my ATT. I only want to focus on the NCLEX. Maybe I should take time off to just focus better.

[Wildcatkt]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, I had a similar experience :cry:I graduated from a BSN program in May and i turned my paperwork in before I graduated in April, and didn't get my ATT until late August :-/ they "lost" my transcripts, so I paid to order 3 new pairs (2 juniorcolleges and the university) and DROVE them because I didn't trust them with my paperwork for in the mail anymore. When I got there, they did some looking around and FOUND my originals, so $50 down the drain. They continued to play lost and found with various parts of my application, as it turns out they had everything they needed from the start, but kept separating/misplacing things. Calling is nearly impossible, I found driving to the office in Sacramento was where I got real information. So frustrating, I had two seperate new grad program offers that had to retract because I didn't have my license in time. They need to get their act together :-/ I am working in Reno now, the Nevada BRN took one week to get my temporary license and would have gotten my permanent in 2 weeks, if the California BRN didn't take 2 months just to send an endorsement paper confirming that I have a license in CA. I wish I would have known this is where I would end up, I would have started in Nevada in the first place! Glad it all got figured out in the end though :)

[ready4it]

Sad to say, State and Government workers/systems move slow like that. I completely understand your frustration and missing new grad offers... I, too, had missed so many opportunities because I had not gotten my license yet, all due to not even being able to test! Ugh... Anyway... You're right. Sac needs a better system! Good luck with everything in Reno and congrats to you!