I am a student just finishing up my prereqs for the RN program here in CA. My husband and I have thought about moving away either before or after I finish nursing school and WA is one of the states we have looked at moving to. What is the job market like there and how is the state for families? We have 2 children so growing up somewhere with a great school is a must, low violence and of course nursing jobs for me. Thanks for any input.

I work in a Seattle hospital. Although there are lots of hospitals in this area, currently, it is very difficult (although not impossible) for a new nursing grad to find a hospital job. There are lots of nursing schools in this area too. However, if you have previous nursing experience, you will be in high demand. Employers prefer new grads with BSNs, not two year degrees. Good luck!

Hey! I'm a nursing student finishing up my BSN here in CA too! I already got hired at a hospital in Seattle, WA and I was wondering how should I go about with licensing.

I would love to be licesned for WA but, how do I go about signing up for WA licensure? I understand that I can take the NCLEX in CA after graduation this year from my school in San Francisco and have the license as a WA license, but I was also offered a review from the hospital in WA for NCLEX and get licensed for WA. All the while, I thought I could either:

1 - take the NCLEX in CA and get licensed in CA (my psychiatric professor said that CA licenses are recognized in every state and have "high standards") then endorse it to a WA license.

2 - take the NCLEX in CA for a WA license.

or should I

3 - Move to WA to take the NCLEX there when the hospital will offer a review for NCLEX, but my school has paper work to fill out for an authorization to test and qualify for NCLEX from/for the state Board of Nursing BRN.

I'm confused and unsure what the best solution would be for me ... well, not the best solution, but the more convenient/best fit solution for me is. I don't plan on moving to WA until after I'm done with graduation in CA and maybe wait until NCLEX...

Hey! I'm a nursing student finishing up my BSN here in CA too! I already got hired at a hospital in Seattle, WA and I was wondering how should I go about with licensing.

I would love to be licesned for WA but, how do I go about signing up for WA licensure? I understand that I can take the NCLEX in CA after graduation this year from my school in San Francisco and have the license as a WA license, but I was also offered a review from the hospital in WA for NCLEX and get licensed for WA. All the while, I thought I could either:

1 - take the NCLEX in CA and get licensed in CA (my psychiatric professor said that CA licenses are recognized in every state and have "high standards") then endorse it to a WA license.

2 - take the NCLEX in CA for a WA license.

or should I

3 - Move to WA to take the NCLEX there when the hospital will offer a review for NCLEX, but my school has paper work to fill out for an authorization to test and qualify for NCLEX from/for the state Board of Nursing BRN.

I'm confused and unsure what the best solution would be for me ... well, not the best solution, but the more convenient/best fit solution for me is. I don't plan on moving to WA until after I'm done with graduation in CA and maybe wait until NCLEX...

Congrats. Which hospital?

Congrats. Which hospital?

The VA Puget Sound in Beacon Hill. I wouldn't work anywhere else in the world besides the VA hospital system and with veterans!

Congrats Just4Kixs. Did you decide on what to do by now? I know the posting is a little old. Im just kind of wondering if the Ca license is valid in other states like you had mentioned your teacher said. And congrats on the job!

Not exactly, but I have narrowed down my choices and am leaning towards staying in CA until my papers for NCLEX have been processed from my school + fees. I don't want to go though the hassel of going to WA after graduation and waiting for my school in CA going back and fourth :/ ... but who knows, I may just end up moving to WA if the hospital wants me to still work for them after the summer internship. I'm flexible to what may come.

Also, I was researching up the licensure thing and you can get a reciprocity/endorsement of your CA license for WA. The CA license is valid in other states. Bottom line: as long as you passed NCLEX in the US, you can work in any state regardless. Just have an endorsement for which state you want to work for and you'll be fine. Some states do have extra requirements though such as taking extra classes or units or continuing ed along with their licensure processing. Overall though, I feel that CA has some pretty high standards, so you should be fine. Just check the state's BON/BRN.

Just make sure you have lots of time. Your california license isnt "good" in any state. Meaning you cant practice nursing with a california license in just any state. You can apply for endorsement if your already licensed in ca but it takes a few weeks and about $217. Thats if all your ducks are in a row. Washington can be tricky so goodluck... 15 years of travel nursing you learn a lot...

What does apply for endorsement mean?

Whoops yea, that's I meant haha, that if you're licensed in CA or other states, you have to endorse to the other state that you want to work for so that you get licensed for that state. Some states have compact licensure agreements as well but that's another story.

Thanks for the insight alaska, I'll definitely rethink about how I'm getting my WA licensure then. As you said, I want to get all my ducks in a row so that I don't need to wait longer than what it'll take.