Compact licensure question please help!!!

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Specializes in NICU.

I have a question and need some help. I have a compact license in the state of Texas. I am staying with family in the state of Mississippi. I have accepted a PRN job with a hospital in the state (for a couple of months temporarily) however they are asking me to apply for licensure in MS even though I have a compact license and my permanent residence is Texas. They said it is a hospital policy that they do not accept any nurses who do not have MS licensure but I guess I am confused as why MS is a compact state then?? Can a hospital deny compact licensure as a policy?? When I contacted the state board of nursing for mississippi they told me they have never heard of a hospital not accepting a compact license. Can anyone explain this to me?? Do I need to apply for licensure in MS even though I am not a permanent resident?? Please help!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Perhaps you can get something in writing from the MS BON stating that compact licensure is sufficient in their eyes. Or, you could get something in writing from the facility stating that they want more than the compact license and show that to the BON. Let them duke it out. Perhaps the state would have something to say about the hospital asking for more than the state BON requires.

I wish you well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

I had a New Mexico license, and they decided that I did not have compact licensure status. I had to get my Arizona license in order to work.

If it is the hospitals policy, then the answer would be they don't accept it. Not saying it is right, but maybe they don't need nurses so bad, that they are making a fuss about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
I had a New Mexico license, and they decided that I did not have compact licensure status. I had to get my Arizona license in order to work.

If it is the hospitals policy, then the answer would be they don't accept it. Not saying it is right, but maybe they don't need nurses so bad, that they are making a fuss about it.

Thank you for your response. When I contacted the TX state board of nursing they told me that I have a multistate RN license. As long as my permanent address stays in Texas I can use that license to practice in any of the compact states. Also when I contacted the state board of nursing for MS they told me that I could not apply for endorsement since I did not have a permanent residence in MS and I could use my TX license to practice in the state of MS. If at any time I moved to MS and established permanent residency then all I would have to do is submit a change form of permanent address on my compact license and not fill out an endorsement form. She stated that I would fill out an endorcement form only if I had let my texas license lapse or needed reinstatement. I am just surprised that a hospital can go against the compact laws and set their own policies. I guess I have hit a brick wall: the MS state board of nursing will not allow me to apply for an endorsement since they consider me already having a "so called" licensure there through the compact license and the hospital will not accept my compact license. I just do not know what to do. Just wondered if anyone else has had this happen to them??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Can a hospital deny compact licensure as a policy??
Yes, hospitals can come up with their own facility policies.

You can legally work in Mississippi with your Texas compact licensure, but the hospital in Mississippi has the right to refuse to hire you if their employment policy states that applicants must possess a MS nursing license in order to work at their facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
Yes, hospitals can come up with their own facility policies.

You can legally work in Mississippi with your Texas compact licensure, but the hospital in Mississippi has the right to refuse to hire you if their employment policy states that applicants must possess a MS nursing license in order to work at their facility.

Thank you for your response.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/ICU/MedSurg/Peds/SubAcute/LTC/Alz.

Yeah hospitals seem to do there own thing when it comes to policies. I have noticed this since I am from the East and the practices on the West are a little different. Hopefully, someone will respond.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
Yeah hospitals seem to do there own thing when it comes to policies. I have noticed this since I am from the East and the practices on the West are a little different. Hopefully, someone will respond.

Thanks so much for your response!!! I really appreciate it!! I guess jumping through hoops seems like a part of life :D some make it harder and others a little more easier.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment