[WKU Lisa BSN RN]

I graduate in May, live on the state line, and have a fantastic job lined up in another state. Problem? Kentucky has the 120 hour requirement AFTER graduation (yeah, 120 hours before too!). I have been told by the KBN that, since I am a Kentucky resident, as of June 1st, I will have to do my 120 hours in Kentucky BEFORE I can work as an RN in the compact state where my dream job is(Kentucky joins the compact in June). Even if I rushed and got my license in the other state prior to June 1st, it would become invalid as of June because I have to be licensed in my state of primary residency. I feel this is infringes on my right to choose where I want to work if I am willing to meet that state's licensing requirements. I think it is also unfair to Kentucky facilities who hire on New Grads only to have them do their 120 hours and move onto the jobs they wanted in the first place. I know the compact is a great thing overall, but Kentucky's 120 hour post-graduation requirement doesn't seem to realize that new grads that live in Kentucky may want to work in another state in the compact upon graduation! Anyone else in this dilemma???

[Scrubz]

I live in Kentucky too and I don't think it should matter where we go to do our 120 hours post-grad. I was going to ask though, how is the 120 hours spread out? Can we do 40 hours/week until we get it done? Or does it depend on the facility? I don't graduate until May of 2008, so I havn't looked into all of this as much as you have. Thanks.

[WKU Lisa BSN RN]

Our pre-grad 120 is determined by our school of nursing (how many hours a week, length of time, etc.). I don't know about the number of hours per week we are limited to with the 120 post-grad hours--I didn't get that far with KBN--I guess if I'm "volunteering" it doesn't matter how many hours a week I give:-)! I'm just really aggravated, and this is enough to make me WANT to work in another state!

[morte]

can you apply to sit for nclex in the state you want to work in, or will there not be enough time?...can you actually change residence before you graduate.....or would this impact the cost of going to school?
good luck

[crb613]

http://kbn.ky.gov/license/exam/internship.htm
This will tell you what you need to know...all the way to the bottom of the page it has a link for detailed info.

[WKU Lisa BSN RN]

Thanks for the info:

1. True relocation is not an option for me. I may have to get an apartment and pay $$$ simply to have residency in the other state. That's appearing to be my best option, and I'm seething because it just does not seem fair! AND Yes, it would impact my cost of schooling. I have already been accepted into an RN-to-BSN program, and with the cost of "relocation" and being out-of-state, advancing my degree at this time will not be an option!
2. I could sit for the NCLEX in the other state, but, as long as I am a Kentucky resident, it would become invalid in that state June 1st, and I would still have to do my 120 hrs in Kentucky because there would not be enough time to complete 120 hrs of direct patient care in the other state between graduation, taking NCLEX, and June 1st.
3. Have already spoken directly with KBN--result: the suggestion I volunteer with a Kentucky agency to fulfill my 120 hours and that they are "talking" with other states regarding recognizing the KY provisional license. The BON from the state I am going to work in has emphatically stated that they are NOT going to recognize the provisional license, and I can't blame them. I don't have a problem with volunteering, but this solution simply to meet a requirement that has not been worked out with regards to its impact on new grads BEFORE its implementation is SO AGGRAVATING!!!

[morte]

i dont understand the part about testing out of state and it becoming invalid in state, when you are not intending on workng in state any way....check with the out of state BON before you give up, if the KBN is telling you it becomes invalid as of 6/1 they may mean it wouldnt give you the right to apply for a kentucky lic. which it appears you dont want anyway....why would the law in kentucky influence this other state?

[WKU Lisa BSN RN]

Because Kentucky is becoming a compact state on June 1st, I HAVE to be licensed in my HOME state. I will continue to reside in Kentucky while working in another state--I live on the line and am actually closer to the out-of-state facility. To practice in a compact state (the state I am wanting to practice in, not Kentucky), I must be licensed in my HOME state, Kentucky. The out-of-state BON AND KBN have both verified this. Kentucky's law of the 120 post-grad hours will apply to ANY grad who RESIDES in Kentucky who wants to practice in Kentucky OR any of the compact states, effective June 1st. It doesn't affect the non-compact states, for example, you can live in Kentucky and apply for an Ohio license, get an Ohio license, and practice in Ohio as an RN, without having to get a Kentucky license and do the 120 hours. But, as long as it's a compact state, you have to have your Kentucky license (and do the 120 hours prior to sitting for NLCEX) to practice in ANOTHER compact state if you reside in Kentucky! UGH!

[Bluse]

I graduate in May. I live and attend school in Northern Kentucky but will get licensed in Ohio and work in Ohio. Since I will be licensed in Ohio I will avoid the 120 hours that Kentucky requires. I think you have incorrect information.

[WKU Lisa BSN RN]

My information referenced in my message is correct and can be attested to by KBN--Ohio is NOT a compact state, so that is why I used the Ohio example that you CAN live in Kentucky and get a license in Ohio without the 120 hours--a guy in my class will be living in northern Kentucky and working in Ohio and will not be affected by the 120 hours--BUT if you LIVE in Kentucky, wish to remain residing in Kentucky, and want to work in a COMPACT state after graduation, as of right now, according to an e-mail I got from the KBN legal counsel this past Friday, you will first have to complete your 120 hours in Kentucky first as Tennessee (a compact state) has still not agreed to recognized the provisional licenses. This does NOT affect states that are NOT in the compact, such as Ohio. The only states that are in the compact and are contiguous to Kentucky are Virginia and Tennessee. I hope this clarifies the previous message in which I used Ohio as an EXAMPLE of a NON-COMPACT state that is not affected by this provisional license requirement after graduation-compact states as of June 1, 2007 include the following: Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Colorado is scheduled to implement the compact status in October, 2007.