applying for multiple licenses

[RHill9919]

Hi all. I'm a pre-nursing student so bare with me if I don't word this quite right...

I'm a resident of FL. I'm considering changing my "home state" to Colorado and moving there. If I want to get an NLC (compact state license) in CO, I can work in any of the other compact states as a nurse, right?

Now, if I want to continue to be part of the NLC, but occasionally work in Montana or Florida, which are not in the NLC, I need to apply for licenses for those individual states, right?

How timely and expensive would it be to apply for licensure in another state outside of the NLC? Would having a license in Florida affect my NLC license in Colorado?

Sorry if this is confusing! I just know that I am going to want to work in Florida and Montana at some point, but still want to work within the NLC.

[NedRN]

In order: yes, yes, depends on the state and your other licenses, no.

[RHill9919]

"depends on the state and your other licenses"..

can you give me an example, please?

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Each state is different in terms of time and cost.

I havent had a compact licenses, but I have had multiple licenses. And the requirments vary by state. My home state doesnt require CEUs, but requires 7 hours of pain education. The state accross the river requires CEUs and 5 hours of HIV education. In order to get that licenses I had to get finger printed again and was able to get licensed by endorsment from my home state and the cost was a few hundred dollars.

When I looked at getting licensed in a different state the cost was almost $400.

As a pre nursing student why dont you go to each states board of nursing website to see if they can answer your questions there?

[RHill9919]

Thank you for the info LoveMyBugs. I have a better understanding now. I'll also check out the BON websites for each state too.

[NedRN]

Let's say you have 5 state licenses by the time you get to NJ. NJ requires every one of those licenses to be verified. Let's say that two of those are states such as California that do not verify (as most states do) through Nursys. That means you have to go through three processes to verify those licenses, all of which have cost and time concerns. Making a small error on any of them increases the time required exponentially. Before Nursys, I had to verify several licenses to one state by mailing each affected board a form and their fee for them to mail the verification to the board I was applying to. Many states required cashier's or certified checks, but I was able to send several personal checks. Forgot to sign one! It takes weeks to discover such errors typically, even today.