Working as GN without a license

flowerchick · Sep 23, 2006

Once I had my ATT (even before testing) I was working as 'RN License Pending' which is basically the same as GN. I had to do everything under a preceptor (RN) and have him/her sign off on all my charting. I also couldn't take verbal orders from the docs.

So, the answer is yup, you can work RNLP until your paper license is in hand.

Congrats, BTW!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2006

I believe you can start working as soon as it's up on the department of regulation website. Legally, you are an RN at that point even if you don't have the physical license. For example, when I changed my name after I got married, I had to sign with my maiden name until the day that it changed on the website - and after that my boss said I could legally sign my married name even though I didn't have the paperwork yet. If you have a license number on that website and it's active, you're good to go. My hospital still wants to see the paper license of all new nurses starting at the facility, but after that they don't even need to see the actual paperwork when we renew every two years - they simply check them all online now. So it's legal!

tinta06 · Sep 28, 2006

I believe you can start working as soon as it's up on the department of regulation website. Legally, you are an RN at that point even if you don't have the physical license. For example, when I changed my name after I got married, I had to sign with my maiden name until the day that it changed on the website - and after that my boss said I could legally sign my married name even though I didn't have the paperwork yet. If you have a license number on that website and it's active, you're good to go. My hospital still wants to see the paper license of all new nurses starting at the facility, but after that they don't even need to see the actual paperwork when we renew every two years - they simply check them all online now. So it's legal!

Thank you so much for the information all. I wonder why Illinois takes so long to process/issue licenses (in today's technology). I guess it explains why most new graduates prefer other states than Illinois to get new licenses. It just adds to unneccessary anxiety especially if one is financially under equiped. I have been turning down all my job offers because I do not want to jeopardize what I have worked so hard to earn. I understand I can work as a GN under an RN supervision/signing paperwork e.tc., but I do not believe in taking such risks. I guess I have to wait till I have a paper license in my palms. Once more thank you all.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2006

Thank you so much for the information all. I wonder why Illinois takes so long to process/issue licenses (in today's technology). I guess it explains why most new graduates prefer other states than Illinois to get new licenses. It just adds to unneccessary anxiety especially if one is financially under equiped. I have been turning down all my job offers because I do not want to jeopardize what I have worked so hard to earn. I understand I can work as a GN under an RN supervision/signing paperwork e.tc., but I do not believe in taking such risks. I guess I have to wait till I have a paper license in my palms. Once more thank you all.

STOP TURNING DOWN JOB OFFERS!!! You never know when they might stop rolling in, as fall tends to be a slow period in hospital while summer is the big hiring time.

You are legally an RN if you passed your boards and you have a license number on the board of nursing/professional regulation website. Instead of turning down jobs, simply tell human resources that you have a license number but they haven't sent the actual paperwork to you yet, and if that's okay. They will say it's fine. You will be working with a preceptor at first anyways, so by the time you accept a job and finish orientation, you will have the paperwork already. You aren't jeopardizing anything when you are legally already an RN. If the hospital has a problem with you doing this, they'll tell you. But you are not in the same boat as someone who hasn't even taken or passed the boards yet - and you will find plenty of those gradute nurses working in hospitals already on orientation.

You don't have the piece of paper, that's all. You DO have a license though.