Question about applying to multiple states in the US?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Hello!

I'm in my last semester of my ADN program and will be graduating in May :roflmao: (woohoo!). I'm graduating from a school in MN, but I don't plan on staying in MN after graduation. My SO and I love to travel, and are both very interested in living in another state in the US for a couple years at least. We're pretty open to any options, but our top picks are CA, NV, FL, OR, AZ, TX, CO, and WA. I know CA is super non-friendly to new grads, so that's basically out already.

I'm just wondering, how do I even begin to go about applying to jobs out of state? I'm planning on taking my boards in MN and then transferring my license to whatever state I get a job in. Is that how it usually works? I would then like to work for a year to gain state residency, and go back for my BSN next fall. Should I just take my boards in MN, and then send out a ton of applications across the country and go from there? I just really am not sure how this whole license thing works with out of state jobs, especially as a new grad.

Thanks for your help!! :nurse:

EDIT: Another option I've been looking at is taking my boards in WI, since they are part of the nursing license compact, which would automatically give me license in 23 other states.

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you have residency in MN so wherever you take your boards, you are going to have MN license. When you fill out the form for taking NCLEX, you sign up for MN.

I, too, just graduated from a MN school and looked at other options. I am 99% sure I'll be offered a job in another state in about 2 hours :D . I applied to areas I would like to move and looked at job openings in those areas.

If I were you, I'd apply to a BSN program as soon as you can (many online options) so you can put on your resume that you're starting your BSN. Many places won't even look twice if you have an ADN.

Good luck

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In order for a nursing license to grant you multi state priviliges you would have to be a legal resident of the state in which it was issued. As a resident of Minnesota, if you apply for licensure in Wisconsin it would be a single state license only.

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you have residency in MN so wherever you take your boards, you are going to have MN license. When you fill out the form for taking NCLEX, you sign up for MN.

I, too, just graduated from a MN school and looked at other options. I am 99% sure I'll be offered a job in another state in about 2 hours :D . I applied to areas I would like to move and looked at job openings in those areas.

If I were you, I'd apply to a BSN program as soon as you can (many online options) so you can put on your resume that you're starting your BSN. Many places won't even look twice if you have an ADN.

Good luck

Thank you so much for that information! I had no idea I had to have residency to qualify for the license compact. If you don't mind me asking, what state is your new job going to be in? Oh and, congratulations!!!!

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you have residency in MN so wherever you take your boards, you are going to have MN license. When you fill out the form for taking NCLEX, you sign up for MN.

​This is not correct. You can apply for initial licensure in any stare you wish, as long as you meet the education requirements for licensure in that state.

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​This is not correct. You can apply for initial licensure in any stare you wish, as long as you meet the education requirements for licensure in that state.

Thanks for the clarification. Good to know!

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​This is not correct. You can apply for initial licensure in any stare you wish, as long as you meet the education requirements for licensure in that state.

My apologies, that was how I understood it, sorry if I misrepresented :/

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