Licensure for out of home state camp nursing

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(originally posted in the wrong place)

If the state you are interested in for camp nursing, doesn't recognize your license as part of the NLCA - can you still do summer camp nursing? ie - My TX license is recognized in many states but not in others? Do I need to get that state's particular license in order to work, if they are not part of the nurse compact group? Does that take a long time?

Not sure I'm phrasing this question right - but maybe someone understands what I'm trying to ask.

Thanks!

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Specializes in OR, Education.

You have to get a license from the state you want to be a camp nurse in. Sometimes it takes a while to get a license but you can always ask for a temporary license (while the permanent license is being approved) and the temporary license will cover you while you are working.

Hope this helps!

Lyn

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If the state is not a compact state, then you will need to apply for a license to practice there. But we aware that not all states offer temporary licenses, so I would apply as soon as possible. This is also a very busy time for Board of Nursing with all of the nursing school graduates applying....... :)

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If the state is not a compact state, then you will need to apply for a license to practice there. But we aware that not all states offer temporary licenses, so I would apply as soon as possible. This is also a very busy time for Board of Nursing with all of the nursing school graduates applying....... :)

Check the board of nursing in the state you are going to work. At least some states have a specific exemption for camp nurses, which will recongize any licensed nurse for up to 90 days in a camp situation. You just have inform the board you are there.

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Well... definitely check into the state where you are going to be camp nurse. I live in Ohio - bordering West Virginia. My kids are in band and go to a camp in West Virginia (about an hour down the highway). This summer, I was one of the band camp volunteer nurses... never even thought about the fact that the camp was in W Va.... I volunteer as one of the band nurses all the time - go to football games and band competitions with the kids.... never even gave the fact that I was volunteering with my OHIO band - but in W VA. Well, a few days before we are to leave for camp, it hit me that we were going out of state. I callled the W VA board of nursing, and, sure enough, I needed to be licensed in W VA.. even though this was strictly a volunteer position - no pay at all!! Luckyily, I was able to procure a temporary license in 2 days - I was willing to drive to the Board office and do my paperwork in person. So... always make sure you know the rules i the state you are going to!!!

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Your camp directors will know and can probably advise you somewhat, but you might have to do some investigating on your own. I had to get a NY license last year and it was an incredible pain the orifice. It cost over $200, took forever even after I deciphered their very complicated state licensing website, and I even had to take an on-line child abuse class. My camp directors were no help except to say I needed to have a NY license. If I knew more I would have asked them to pay for it. And they would have said yes. But get started in case the state you need to be licensed in is like New York---a nightmare.

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Illinois is also a pain to obtain a nursing license. Lots of paperwork and lots of time waiting!!!:crying2:

I also suggest to get started early on out of state/compact licensure if you want to go to camp.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

is it common that a camp will pay the fees for the temp licesne? Also - i read the PA board of nursing website and saw something about only holding a Temp license once at a certain level -does this mean that i'll have to maintain the out of state license along with my NJ license?

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If you ask them, I'll bet a decent director will pay for a license. It probably depends on how much the state is charging. I wish I had asked my camp to pay for my license; I know they would have said yes. It's a lot of money if you ask me. Some camps do automatically; many simply are unaware of the cost.

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Contact the state you want to work in. If it is sleep away camp then you probable will need that license. If it is day camp then may not. Example Maine allows practice under original license of issue for day camp but not overnight.

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I've worked in several states as a nurse for sleep away camp....

The camp director has always paid....

in calif, i was flown into burbank, the up to sacramento, to get lisc stuff, given a rental car, and a hotel room, and money for food etc.... got lisc next day then flew back to burbank

all at the camp 's cost.

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