nursing licenses

[adpiRN]

I may want to start traveling in the fall.

I currently only have a NY license (which is not a compact state).

When should I start getting other licenses?

The problem is that I'm trying to be flexible with location.

There are about 10 states I'd be willing to travel to and I don't want to get 10 licenses!

Should I just wait until I get a job offer and then apply for a license in that state?

How long do some of these licenses take to get and would they wait for me if it took me weeks and weeks to get the state license?

Maybe I should start looking into getting a few licenses for my top choices to make it easier.

I really hope NY becomes a compact state soon. That would make a lot of this simpler....

[adpiRN]

Also, I've read that when you move, you can still practice on your former residency license for up to 30 days.

Is this also true with travel nursing?

Could I use my NY license at first and have 30 days to get a license for the state I was traveling in?

[meandragonbrett]

I would narrow down where you might be interested in for your first assignment. I wouldn't go applying for any licenses right now unless if California is on your list. California BON is very slow in issuing a license.

So states are walk through states and you go in, drop your paper work off, pay your $, and walk out with a permanent or a temporary license to practice that day.

[adpiRN]

Thanks! CA actually is on my list, because I hear there are lots of jobs there and they pay well (and it's generally warmer than NY : )

NovaPro has helpful info on how long it takes to get a license in each state. (though not sure how accurate it is).

https://www.novaprostaffing.com/np/about-travel-nursing/nursing-licensure.jsp

They say CA does have walk through for a temp license. Does anyone have experience with this?

I guess I can contact them to double check...

[Jolie, BSN]

adpi,

I would suggest using your time now to research states where you may wish to travel. Some issue licenses by endorsement fairly quickly, others take months. IL, for example is notoriously slow, so if that is on your list (and it is not a compact state), you need to plan well in advance.

As far as practicing for 30 days in a new state on your old license, that only applies to compact licensees who are changing their state of residence.

The only exception to the requirement of being fully licensed on Day 1 of nursing practice in any state is this: If you work in a federal facility such as the VA or in a military institution, you can hold a current license from any U.S. state or territory. So if I am licensed in IL, I may practice with that license in any federal facility anywhere in the U.S. or overseas without ever having to endorse that license to another state.

Do you plan to travel with an agency? If so, I would also suggest researching agencies now and asking them to help you plan where to apply for additional licenses.

[meandragonbrett]

California will issue a temp license on a walk through basis.

Basically, you fly to Sacramento....go to The UPS Store and have your LiveScan finger prints done. Then you head to the BON to drop off your application and associated fees. It takes 24-72 hours for CA BON to get your fingerprints from the DOJ and FBI. Once they have those results they will issue your temporary license.

[adpiRN]

California will issue a temp license on a walk through basis.

Basically, you fly to Sacramento....go to The UPS Store and have your LiveScan finger prints done. Then you head to the BON to drop off your application and associated fees. It takes 24-72 hours for CA BON to get your fingerprints from the DOJ and FBI. Once they have those results they will issue your temporary license.

Thanks! How long will a temporary license last? Long enough for a 13 week travel assignment?

[meandragonbrett]

They are good for 6 months by which time CA BON should have already issued your perm license.