getting licensed in multiple states (lpn)

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hi

I have ALWAYS wanted to travel, after much time searching without success for a agency that offer this to LPN's i have given up. I have come up with my own solution at least i beleive it will work. I plan on leaving September 2012 and set out on lets call it a "extended roadtrip" i have plenty of friends and family around the country(north america) and plan stopping and working for a couple of weeks/months to be able to continue on with my traveling. I know this all might sound crazy but carpe diem while i can. I'm trying to figure out if there is any agencies out there that i would be able to sign up with that are across the country or a large region of the country? Thanks in advance

Kel

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Specializes in Occupational Health; Adult ICU.

If you live in:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Then you are already for each of the other states. These are Nurse Licensure Compact States and you would already be ready to work in any of those states.

If you are in a state that is not in the NLC then you must submit application to each state that you work want to work in. This will also require background checks which will take time.

You could always find work in one NLC state, and then become eligible to work in other NLC states.

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You could always find work in one NLC state, and then become eligible to work in other NLC states.

In order for that to work, you would have to establish a permanent residence in that (compact) state. As you note at the beginning of your post, you have to live in a "compact state" to get a license with compact privileges. If you apply for licensure in a compact state that isn't your permanent residence, you still get a license, but it's a regular, "traditional" license that doesn't have compact privileges and is only good in that state.

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"you could always find work in one nlc state, and then become eligible to work in other nlc states."

not true. i live in a noncompact state and have licenses in several compact states, but if i want licensure in other compact states, i have to get them separately (and they are costly). whatever your state of legal residence is determines your licensure-- compact state, you're in the compact; noncompact state, you're paying as you go.

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Specializes in Occupational Health; Adult ICU.

Let me correct that: Become eligible in a compact state, get license and then you become eligible to work in other compact states.

Some states have difficult residency requirements, and others don't. In Massachusetts you need an address and need to get your driver's license and registration changed and they consider you resident.

Concur or disagree?

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Hello all,

I am going to be living in New Jersey after I graduate next month but am planning on working in Pennsylvania. Do I have to have a license in NJ because I live there or do I only have to get the PA license?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You need a license in the state in which you will practice. So if you work in PA you plan to work in PA, you need a PA license.

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Hello all,

I am going to be living in New Jersey after I graduate next month but am planning on working in Pennsylvania. Do I have to have a license in NJ because I live there or do I only have to get the PA license?

Thanks!

yes you have to apply for a PA license and they can send it to you in the mail or you can download it off the website. I live in MD and commute to PA to work and I can tell you that the PA nursing board is a mess, it just seems like they do things on their time never mind you waiting so you can work.

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Hi, I have a NY license and want to work in both pa and NY. Can I apply for a pa license and still keep my NY license? Thanks

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hi I have a NY license and want to work in both pa and NY. Can I apply for a pa license and still keep my NY license? Thanks[/quote']

Yes you can

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Is it a different license? When I went on the PA website it says apply for a temporary permit and license. So I can work in both locations? Thank you so much

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It would be a second license enabling you to work in NY and/or PA as long as you maintained the licenses.

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