Process of Licensure

NedRN · Apr 18, 2014

NJ can take a while, so before. Just the school transcripts that were required for license eligibility. So no to degrees after that.

If you have crossed all your t's and have fully signed up with an agency (preferably 5 good ones), as little as a couple days to two weeks.

wylie-coyote · Apr 22, 2014

Should I begin the process of getting my license in those states BEFORE talking to an Agency?
I'm just not sure of the timeline required for getting and then starting a job.
Also, from the Nevada nursing board website, I need school transcripts. I received my ASN and BSN from different schools, would I need transcripts from both schools?

I just started figuring out this whole travel game this year. I applied to and received licenses in Hawaii and Florida. I am now working on licenses for Alaska, New York, Massachusetts, and Virgin Islands.

I would plan on applying for the states you want to go to about 4-5 months before you plan on traveling, which should take between 2-3 months depending on background check, forms... Here are a few things I have learned so far...

- If you plan on traveling to multiple states in a short period of time, apply for your licenses at the same time. This will save you time and money, since each state you apply for requires you to list all states you have licenses in, and subsequently pay for an endorsement letter from that state, which costs $$. California is $60 each time!!

- Sign up for multiple agencies. If you can't find the right assignment, or need to find an assignment after you finish one, having multiple agencies to call will help you find something that's right for you. I've signed up with 5 or 6 so far. Get all your ACLS, BLS, N95 fit test, copy of license, documents all ready. I scanned mine on PDFs and loaded them up on a good drive when I need them. They typically require you to give 2 references and give the green light to interview for hospitals after the references are verified.

- Once you have those licenses, you're typically looking at around 6-8 weeks, sometimes 1-2 weeks to get assignments depending on the need. Maybe others can elaborate on this one, but this is the typically what I've heard by talking to most recruiters.

NedRN · Apr 22, 2014

Just to clarify, not all states need license verifications from all states you have ever had a license in. Of the states you list, I think only Massachusetts and NY do.

blacklablover · Apr 26, 2014

I am having a problem getting my Massachusetts license because of California's long turn around time for endorsement. So, if the state your applying for requires all of your licenses endorsements, leave at least 8-10 weeks for California to send their endorsement. I've been waiting over 8 weeks with no results so hopefully will receive soon.