Lapsed License, Relocated Abroad

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I am a RN educated in the US and currently relocated to Singapore. I got a job offer from a local hospital there and after submitting all my documents to the Singapore nursing board for a few months, I was told that the application could not be processed due to my lapsed license status in the US. Have anybody encountered such problem while relocating to another country? I am so frustrated now and the only way for me to do is to go back to the US to renew my license. I was told by the nursing board that it would be alright to get a license anywhere even if my license has already lapsed by the time I left the US. I feel so hopeless and helpless now being unemployed and not sure what I can do with a Degree in Nursing :( any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

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A better question is how long is it since you worked?

I'm required to work 1300 hours every three years to keep mine. If I fail to do this, I am required to do a nurse refresher course to ensure that I am safe to practice.

The Singapore hospital is only protecting it's patients and wanting to ensure that they hire staff up to date in their knowledge.

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Well, there are some US states that require a person educated somewhere else have an active nursing license in the country in which they were educated (or where they are coming from) in order to be eligible for licensure, so it's not entirely unheard of. Would you have had the option of placing your license on "inactive" status when you left your former state? That's usually a better choice than just letting a nursing license lapse. I'm sorry you've gotten caught with this, and I hope you'll be able to get something worked out. Best wishes!

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Thank you for your information. I quit my job about 6 months ago and before I left the states I did a big mistake forgetting to place my license into inactive status. I am not the citizen of US and therefore there is absolutely no way for me to keep it active at all by the time I left the US (my working visa is expiring). I do understand the nursing board is protecting its patients. I just wish I can get back to nursing and keep serving :(

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I did a big mistake by letting it lapsed! and I regret much about it :( Thank you for replying I will try to find out what I need to do to reinstate my license.

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It may be simpler to retake your nursing education in Singapore, rather than try to reinstate your US license.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

If you were educated i the US and it has only been six months....just pay the late fees and have it reinstated

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thank you for your information. I quit my job about 6 months ago and before I left the states I did a big mistake forgetting to place my license into inactive status. I am not the citizen of US and therefore there is absolutely no way for me to keep it active at all by the time I left the US (my working visa is expiring). I do understand the nursing board is protecting its patients. I just wish I can get back to nursing and keep serving :(
Call the state your license is in you should be able to pay the late fee and have it reinstated
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