Heather Arranie 
If you have always wanted to become a nurse or if you’re already halfway there but haven’t yet reached the level of registering as a licensed nurse, it’s important for you to keep the state procedures and legislature in mind as you go down this road.
This article aims to shed light on the most important things that you need to remember when it comes to your registered nurse licensing. It will first outline how each state has its own licensing procedures, what the basic requirements are for you receiving your RN license and then give you insight into the nurse licensure compact.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Just as there is a lot of individuality between people, this is much the same when it comes to the differences between states. Each state in the USA actually has different processes and procedures for how they register and accept their nurses in their care facilities and hospitals.
If you are on your way to becoming a nurse, it’s important that you keep RN licensure requirements in mind because this could impact your life when it comes to your geography and career trajectory. If you have studied and completed your nursing degree in a state like Georgia for example, you could find it a little tricky to practice in North Dakota or Oregon. Now, don’t get too worried, there are ways around this, which is with the nurse licensure compact – it’s going to be further outlined a little later, first, it’s time to look at the basic requirements across all states to receive your RN license before getting into the nitty-gritty.
The Basic Requirements You Need to Ensure You Have
Although different states might have different ways of looking at how they examine and license certain RN positions, it is important to note that there are some universal standards that you must meet.
Here is a comprehensive check-list that you need to make sure you have:
- Graduation requirement: before you are able to get your license, you must make sure that you have completed your degree. It’s vital that you complete your degree with an established and reputable education site so that you are allowed to go in for your RN nursing license.
- Examination requirement: there is one major exam that you must successfully complete at the end of your degree, which is known as the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Legal requirement: there are important legal requirements that you must keep in mind when becoming a nurse. Seeing as you are taking care of patients, the state does require you to complete certain legal steps. This means that you have to go through a federal background check, plus, you have to submit your fingerprints. This includes the confirmation that you have no felony conviction.
- Residency requirement: to be a legal and practicing nurse in the USA, you have to have proof of a primary state of residence in the USA. This means that you have to have a state ID and voter registration card.
Get Your Nurse Licensure Compact
One way that you can go around the rigidity of having to stay within certain states when it comes to your practice, is through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NCL).
This is essentially a license you can use to practice in your home state but also any compact state that the US honors as a compact state.
It is especially helpful because it allows you to practice across states which means that you do not have to apply for a separate license in every state. The benefit of this is that it is more cost-effective, as trying to get your license in every state is costly.
It is also time effective as it also takes a lot of time to get a new state license each time. Having one big license that allows you to practice across many states is wise. Furthermore, there is also a big benefit to the patients themselves as it allows for a more nationwide acceptance and implementation of excellent nurses. By not forcing certain nurses to stay within specific state lines, you essentially get to expand the reach that nurses have, which is a big pro. Also, it gives you, as a nurse, the chance to broaden your work horizons as you can then start looking for jobs across the USA as opposed to within one state.
If, however, you do not want to get your NCL because you enjoy working within one state, that is absolutely fine. However, should you ever find yourself moving, you can always just transfer your one-state license to the other, without having to get the NCL. All you have to do is apply for a licensure endorsement.
There You Have It
As you can see from the above, becoming a nurse takes a lot of energy and dedication. You not only have to complete quite the degree but there are also licensing aspects that you must keep in mind. If you are a budding nurse, you must keep the licensing stage in mind, so that you can plan better location and career-wise..
Although it may sound a bit tedious, it is important to note that becoming a nurse is one of the most rewarding occupations out there. Plus, you can always jump in on further education, which allows you to improve upon your knowledge and work your way up the corporate ladder, which is a plus.
