State Board of Nursing, Harrisburg PA

The world is in desperate need of nurses, and the PASBON is taking forever to send out the test codes…I graduated 5 weeks ago and still nothing! Not only that but it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get in touch with anyone! I can’t wait to move out of Pa

I had to email the representatives, the secretaries got right back to me. It took 5 months to get my NP license transferred from another state.

10+ weeks since they have received all of my documents to process my CRNP license. I am still waiting for licensure to begin my new job.

Once you get connected, they are helpful. However, your call wait times could be hours…get disconnected…call again…. Listening to funeral music while waiting…. All these add to a horrible experience. It is very discouraging to call this nursing board.

I’m trying to reactivate my RN license and none of the schools that the BON has listed offer the reactivation program and haven’t for years. This is beyond frustrating.

I just needed someone to verify my mandatory child abuse CE. That was back in January 2023 - crickets ever since (it's September 2023 now). I've reached out multiple times through multiple means of communication. No one answers phone calls, e-mails, faxes.nothing. I even reached out to two local state reps and they ignored me as well. Paid to have my RN license renewed and my PA CRNP and for what - at least give me my money back for the applications. Ridiculous.

PA.
Why are you still accepting payments for a nursing license- September 5, is around the corner and you will be included in the compact states?
Because you never answer your phones, I don't want to work in your state and your rating should be a 1/2 star.

Called today and spoke to someone within 15 minutes. They were friendly and gave me an explanation on the 2-3 week transcript processing turnaround.

This is the most ineffective system ever. After waiting an extended amount of time for my crnp licensure, I finally got through after multiple attempts of waiting 1: 30 plus and getting cut off. I found out it was their oversite. Thank goodness I called. I spoke with state representatives etc. Nothing helps. The system is broken. The information required is repetitive of what is needed to take the test. I am over three months now, going on four to work in my new position as a crnp and now I am stuck in the prescriptive authority area of the sbon. Hire more people, extend hours, do some overtime, and do something to fix this horrible process. No one seems to care about us waiting in limbo because the people you talk to are obviously already employed. I would love to start a committee to fix this terrible system as I could have started with my employer who is short of a provider months ago. This is affecting patient care. Why does no one care about this archaic system holding health care providers back.

Hello,
***For those who have traveled to the State Board in Harrisburg, PA and had success what address have you gone to?

I have been waiting 4 months (since April now August) after submitting all of the required information to reactivate my RN License. Anxiously anticipating a response I make sure to keep my contact info updated and check my email a few times daily and the pals website frequently for updates to status.

On Thursday, I checked in to PALS and saw an update saying 2 weeks ago the Board had sent an email asking a 1 question - Would I need accommodations to take the nclex to show continued competency. That I needed to download a form sent to my email and answer that one question and send back to have my application considered again.

Immediately, I was confused and said wait. What? I never received an email. I called the Board and after a long, long hold the operator told me that 1) I would need to ask an evaluator but she was not allowed to tell me who that was. 2) The form I needed to complete was sent to my email and that I should keep my email address up to date to avoid missed communication. I sked her to verify the email address she had for me And reluctantly she responded with an email address I had and deactivated in 2007/2008 before the State Board even used the pals system.
I also have a Pennsylvania Real Estate License and reliably receive email from that Board. (SAME PALS SYSTEM/Same contact info

*For those who have traveled to Harrisburg, PA and hasd success what address have you gone to?

I am trying to obtain my license via reciprocity. I’ve been an RN 30 years and this state is the only one that I cannot get an answer from! Inexcusable!

I passed my boards over a month ago with still no licenses. I HIGHLY recommend driving to Harrisburg to the Stare Board of Nursing if you can. I have been on hold for several hours for several days, even reaching over 6 hours on hold! It’s absolutely insane I can not reach one single person after weeks of trying! I decided to take the 2 hour drive to Harrisburg since I was unable to begin my job on my start date. I communicated with someone for only 5 MINUTES just to hear, “okay now you’re licensed” after ONE press of a button. Something needs to be fixed, this is the worst state by FAR to deal with. Highly disappointed.

I was on hold for 5 hours yesterday with no answer. Today, I was on hold for 4 hours (called at 9am) when my call was dropped and it started me over in the on hold wait line with 40 people ahead of me still AFTER WAITING 4 HOURS! I have a few questions about my scope of practice and I can not seem to get a hold of anyone. I do not often write reviews but I am so frustrated and angry, I wanted to make others aware of this HORRIBLE experience. IF I COULD GIVE ZERO STARS I WOULD!

Unreliable both call and email.it’s either a 6hr wait on the phone or a 6+ month long wait for a simple email reply.

How can the board which imposes strict standards to nurses be so irresponsible and inconsiderate with providing us assistance. Nurses all around need to stop being taken for granted.

HOW do you get in contact with this place over the phone? ! Yesterday i was on the phone waiting for 4 hours, never got to talk to someone. Today, i called right at 9: 00 when they opened, currently i have been waiting 2.5 hours.this is ridiculous

I had a great experience with Pennsylvania board of nursing and the process was quick. Communication with a Lynsay maam was clear.she is really helpful. I got my issues sorted right away. Thank you so much

It’s been a month and a couple of weeks and i still haven’t received my authorization to test! Been on the phone for 2 and a half hours then it just completely hangs up.been reading all the reviews on here just shows how much this organization is slacking

I also would rate a ZERO. Every time I need to verify a license I have to wait days to weeks before I can ever get through to anyone. I have never had less than 22 people ahead of me when I call. There are not enough hours in the day to wait this long! PLEASE hire personel to assist in expiditing the processes nurses need to move forward in their profession. Truly, this is an embarrassment to our State Board of Nursing. I'm wondering if anyone is even looking at these reviews and if so, are any changes in progress? A response from PBON would be greatly appreciated

Applied for my PA nursing license way over a year ago, they cashed my check, but still no license. Try to look up on PA site it’s blocked. Tried to call, on hold 3 hours and then they answered and hung up