Nationwide or Statewide Diploma and wound care specialist..

[aquagirl2273]

I am getting ready to start college at kingsborough for nursing and i was wondering if it is a national degree or only for the state of new york. I would like to be able to work in any state when i am finished. I would also like to know if anyone knows what the salary options are out there such as where would the best money be made. i was looking in to wound care specialization.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Nursing, like all professions, is regulated by the state licensing boards. Each state issues it's own nursing license, but everyone in the US takes the same licensing exam (confusing, right?) The first step is to obtain a nursing degree but this is just an indication that you have met minimum educational standards... it does not grant you a license. After you get your degree from an accredited school, you then apply to take NCLEX - and if you pass, you then get a license (issued by the state in which you took NCLEX).

In the US, 24 states have entered into an agreement in which they recognize nursing licenses from any state that is taking part (info at https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm). In states that are not part of the agreement, you have to go through a re-licensing process to get a new license to practice if you relocate.

Pre-licensure education in the US is focused on producing generalists... there is no specialization. You have to pursue specialization after you get your license.

Salaries vary depending on the region you are in. You will need to investigate this in your own location.