Applying for Licensure out-of-state post grad

[em.m_carter]

Hi, everyone. I recently started an ABSN program in Nevada. This may be a little early to ask since I won't graduate until next December, but I had a few questions about obtaining licensure out-of-state! I understand for the most part how multi-state licensures work for compact states, but since Nevada is such a weird state as far as nursing board regulations and licensure transferal, I figured I'd see if anyone has any experience with obtaining a nursing license in Oregon, especially coming from another non-compact state like Nevada. I understand that Oregon currently has pending legislation for compact state approval (and that Nevada has been discussing becoming a compact state for several years now, with no obvious changes), but I just wanted to see if anyone has experience transferring licensure between these two states with the current BON laws. Would taking the NCLEX in Oregon make a difference? Or would I have to just get my Nevada RN license and then go through the process of transferring it to Oregon? If it helps at all, I'm attending Roseman's ABSN program in Henderson, NV and have up to this point in my life only been a resident of Nevada.

 

Also- if anyone has info about transferring licensure from Nevada to a compact state, like Washington, I'd be interested to hear that too! Just keeping my options open 🙂

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

If you do not plan to work in Nevada after graduation, don't even waste the money to get a license there. Simply apply for licensure by exam in the state where you want to work. You can take NCLEX anywhere it is offered - licensure is not tied to the location you take NCLEX but to the state you applied to for licensure (provided you are not in a compact state- in that case, residency requirements do come into play. It will depend on whether or not Nevada fully implements prior to your graduation- they do have legislation pending).

If you are licensed in a state and move to another state, the process is to apply for a license by endorsement in the new state. Each state may have different processes, so the information will come from that state's licensing authority. Here's Washington's requirements.

[Chatleen Reyes]

You'll need to get your Nevada RN license first, then apply for licensure by endorsement in Oregon (or Washington), since the NCLEX location doesn't matter and both Nevada and Oregon are currently non-compact states.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Chatleen Reyes said:

You'll need to get your Nevada RN license first, then apply for licensure by endorsement in Oregon (or Washington), since the NCLEX location doesn't matter and both Nevada and Oregon are currently non-compact states.

Only need a Nevada license if planning to work in Nevada. Residency is not a requirement to be licensed in non-compact states. So if no plans to work in Nevada, paying for a license for Nevada would be a waste of money. 

[Epidural, BSN, RN]

Absolutely! Of all of the states that have not yet joined the Compact, Nevada will not very likely be the next to join. Massachusetts passed legislation a year ago and should be announcing an implementation date soon. Michigan has a bill that is 50% passed. There is a lot of support for the NLC in Nevada, but also a lot of resistance to joining. Write to your legislators and the BON to let them know how you feel.

If you are not sure if you will work in Oregon or Washington State, or even where you will live, I would probably request a single state license in either of these two states (the one where you would prefer to work) , and then see where you actually get a job. If you move to Washington you are eligible for a Compact license. Oregon, unfortunately, is also a bit resistant to joining the NLC.