National Board of Nursing

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Why don't they have a National Board of Nursing instead of each state having a board of nursing. That way if you pass their exam you could work in any state.

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

My guess is that the states want the money garnered from the license applications.

MamaCJRN

37 Posts

Specializes in OB-L&D, Post partum, Nursery.

My guess it would make too much sense :)

I agree, it would be much more efficient. I'm going to have to research that one to see if anyone has ever made a serious effort to create a national board.

allnurses Guide

Nurse SMS, MSN, RN

6,843 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Lordy, I can only imagine how slowly that cog wheel would turn if it were a federal beaurocracy instead of a state one.

loriangel14, RN

6,931 Posts

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

You still only have to write one national exam right now. Each state doesn't have it's own exam.

Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.
My guess is that the states want the money garnered from the license applications.

Exactly! It's all about the Benjamins!!!:twocents::twocents::twocents::twocents:

Lot's of revenue.

DogWmn

575 Posts

Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

This is one of my long time peeves. Each state has it's own fiefdom, some state BON's are truely helpful some are not. It makes no sense that we take a national test, yet each state dictates how and when you can practice, get your license etc. The fees for your license vary from state to state, it's all such a racket.

I'd love to see us go to a type of organization like the Medical Technologists have run by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. They have national Licenses for MLT's, MT's, phlebotomists, donor techs. One license good anywhere in the USA. It would cut down on costs, political fiefdom's, track stinker nurses nationally and we'd be able to move from state to state without waiting for a "local" license.

After all, nursing is the same no matter if we are in Oregon or Florida, California or New York.

Penguin67

282 Posts

NCLEX is overseen by the National Council of State Boards fo Nursing (aka NCNSB). They write the questions and give Pearson the power to administer it. It is a National organization, of which state boards are members. We cannot do away with state boards, as the monitor who can practice in their state, and they ensure that schools are state board accredited and that applicants are actually graduates of the accredited program. The differences in the scopes of practice among the states also necessitates having a state board in each state. Hope this helps! Here is the website for National Council www.ncsbn.org

serein

53 Posts

I hear that not every state gets the same kind of questions. For ex: since I graduated from a nursing school in Florida we weren't taught on how to care for frostbite which I'm sure you encounter in the north and where you'll more likely to be asked about such things on the NCLEX.

Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.
I hear that not every state gets the same kind of questions. For ex: since I graduated from a nursing school in Florida we weren't taught on how to care for frostbite which I'm sure you encounter in the north and where you'll more likely to be asked about such things on the NCLEX.

What if you go to school in Florida and then move to Alaska? :confused:

merlee

1,246 Posts

For the same reason there is no national driver's license, car tags, etc. These are things which are regulated by the states. And there is money involved!!

Among the issues is whether or not each state has mandatory CEU's and how often the license is renewed.

And the cost varies widely as well.

It's all about the Benjamins!!!

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NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN

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