When do you officially start working as an RN?

austin heart, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2005

As soon as it can be verified through your state BON, you do not need to wate for the hard copy of your licence. Here in Texas it can be verified if a licence has been isssued to a person through the BON phone number using a person's SS number within 2 days of taking the NCLEX.

PeachyOrthoRN, RN · Jun 25, 2005

I couldn't start working officially as an RN until I had license in hand and could give a copy to my HR department. My advise would be to check with your employer to see what they specifically want. :)

suzanne4, RN · Jun 25, 2005

You must at least have a license number assigned to you, at the very minimum. You are not considered a Registered Nurse until then, as you have not been registered.

Bird2 · Jun 25, 2005

Hi everyone,
I plan on taking the NCLEX in late July and I am just wondering, when can you officially start working as an RN?
Do I need to wait until they mail me the paper copy of my license or is the fact that you passed the NCLEX sufficient to start working as an RN? How long does it take them to mail you a nursing license?
My job wants me to start as soon as possible. But, when will I officially be working under my own license?

As soon as the website listed my license number my work printed a copy. I then was able to work as an RN. The number showed up on the site 23 days after I took the NCLEX. The official license followed approx 1.5 weeks later.

celle507 · Jun 26, 2005

It takes 23 days after passing the test to even get a license number?? Is it that way in all states? I assumed that the state assigns you a number as soon as you know you pass the NCLEX ... so, if I take the NCLEX on 7/25 and find out 7/28 that I passed, I thought your name would show up online along with a license number. And then how long to get the paper copy?

I am really worried now. I told them that I could start August 1st because I was taking the NCLEX late July but if it takes an additional 30 days to process my license, then that means I can't officially start until September!

Sorry this is so confusing - I think the HR person I spoke to didn't really know since she was the one who was asking me how long after the test I would be eligible to work.

Thank you all for your replies - and I would love to continue hearing other people's experiences about when they were able to start (I am in MA). I guess I need to talk to her again and clarify things.

DCCCRNn2005 · Jun 26, 2005

My results were up on the website within 72 hours of taking, i found out by phone within 48. My license was in my hand within 1 week of testing, all depends on the state and right now a lot of ppl are taking so it's slower. As soon as the results were on the website my employer printed my # out and I was working the next day. It all depends on where you are going to work (hospitals usually do require license in hand due to the lack of time to verify everyone and the risk of a mistake i guess) I plan on working at both the hospital and Out-pt dialysis (which i'm at now) The official word from my hospital was must test before orientation begins and they want a copy of your license when you get it, or notice you didn't pass.

bagger · Jun 27, 2005

I started working as a graduate nurse just as soon as I recieved my ATT letter, this was considered part of my orientation as a RN. Took NCLEX after working 3 wks and found out I passed 2 days later. License was posted on BON 2 days later got 2 more weeks of orientation then they cut me loose on my own. Hope this helps answer your question. I did RN job the whole time but could not sign as or represent myself as an RN till the board issued me a license number

Fairemaid · Jul 19, 2005

Celle 507 said I would love to continue hearing other people's experiences about when they were able to start (I am in MA). I guess I need to talk to her again and clarify things.

Dear Celle,

I took my NCLEX July 11 and had my results online on the PearsonVue site by July 13, and approximately 1-2 days later, my license number was up on the Mass state license website. My hospital only needed to verify my number online and they have put me into the RN orientation. I will be working as an RN with a preceptor as of this Wed., about 9 days after the test. I have also received a letter from the Mass Board of Nursing stating that I had passd the test and I should expect to get my license in the mail in approx 21 days.

Edit- I received my license exactly 2 weeks after taking my test.

Good luck with your NCLEX!! :rolleyes:

Rebecca RN