Work voluntarily while waiting for endorsement

U.S.A. Washington

Published

Hello!

I passed my NCLEX one week ago for Hawaii BON. I would like to endorse my license to Washington. In addition as a foreign graduator I have to take TOEFL exam. It takes time.Is this any possible to be hired as a voluntarily nurse in Washington while waiting for this bureaucratic process? Will it be counted as an experience?Any suggestions?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

No. You cannot "volunteer as a nurse" while not licensed. In the US volunteer work is not considered work experience. The majority of healthcare volunteer experienced are non-clinical (working in a hospital gift shop, distributing cards or flowers, or at a clinic reception desk). To volunteer in a low income clinic as a nurse (in any US state) requires a valid nursing license.

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Yes, but I am licensed in Hawaii. The problem is (but I am not sure about this) that I can't make an endorsement from Hawaii to Washington because Wa BON requires TOEFL from foreign graduators. And it takes time.

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Hello lolashine!

You should call Washington BON and get the information. Federal jobs will accept volunteer work as work experience. It does not matter if you are paid or not.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Yes, but I am licensed in Hawaii. The problem is (but I am not sure about this) that I can't make an endorsement from Hawaii to Washington because Wa BON requires TOEFL from foreign graduators. And it takes time.

Per WA BoN you cannot work as a nurse in ANY capacity (paid or volunteer) unless licensed as a nurse in the state of WA. Having a HI license is irrelevant in this scenario.

If you are a US citizen or otherwise eligible you could work in a federal job with a license from any US state (though many jobs mandate that you are a graduate of an accredited US nursing school, IENs are ineligible for most government nursing jobs). The application process is lengthy and you would likely pass TOEFL before getting through the application & hiring process

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Thank you!

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