Planning to move to a new state after graduation

[sarahmac09]

I moved to Florida two years ago because I needed a change in location (among other reasons) and my BSN program will begin next Monday. If everything goes well, I will be graduating in May of 2015. I am currently planning on moving back to the NJ/Philly area to be close to my family after graduation. I'm wondering what my best course of action would be in terms of NCLEX. I know the licensing process can get tricky when it comes to changing states. What is my best option? Neither Pennsylvania (where I hope to work) nor New Jersey nor Florida are involved in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

[ruralnurse84]

I have a similar problem. I am going to school in Washington state but will be moving to Montana after graduation next year to join my husband. From what I've heard you can essentially take the NCLEX anywhere in the country, it's which state you apply to for your license that counts. So, I could take the NCLEX in Washington but apply for my license in Montana. The test is supposed to be the same in every state. Since I would like to get to my husband asap after graduation, however, I will be taking the NCLEX in Montana. This is all info I read from the BON in Montana however, so I would research what you need to do for the particular state you are interested in working in.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

The compact has to do with LICENSURE, not with NCLEX. The NCLEX is good in all 50 states and territories. I recommend you take NCLEX while in Florida as the Board of Nursing there will have your paperwork from the school. If you graduate in Florida you would have to pay the next state for the application process and wait for paperwork to be transferred. Much easier if you are already licensed in Florida to get another license in the second state. Just saying. By the time you graduate things might have changed, so remember to check with the BON in the second state to make an informed decision.

[Lbenoit07]

I too am in this situation as well! I moved temporarily to Kentucky about 3 years ago and decided after I moved I should finish my nursing career! I plan to return back to MI when I complete the program and have to make the decision where I want to take the NCLEX and what state I should apply for a license in. I heard that if you apply for your license in the state you graduate from it is easier and less paperwork to file because the BON has all of that information and then you can transfer your license after you complete your move! Just look into it sometime in your last year/beginning of your final semester of the program to figure out the best option! I plan to wait until then to really look into it and figure out what I need to do! Good luck in the program!