Appying to other states without license in those states

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Hi,

I was wondering if its normal to apply for licenses by reciprocity before we apply to jobs in other states. The licenses fees add up quick. Do you guys think employers need you to have license in hand for their state?

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Specializes in Psych Nursing.

It isn't required at my facility. They even help you transfer your license, but if it doesn't work you lose your offer.

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Thanks for your input, I was thinking of applying for three of four states, but I decided to ask on here first on what others have been doing.

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I recently moved to another state and it took 6 weeks to get my license and cost over $300. I came from PA to NJ. I did apply for some jobs prior to getting my license here but I honestly think with all of the online applications, I feel they filter things based on criteria met, so was hesitant about applying to too much before I had the license. All of the applications asked for my state license info. I felt as though my applications would get automatically dismissed especially with so many state licensed people already applying.

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I recently moved to another state and it took 6 weeks to get my license and cost over $300. I came from PA to NJ. I did apply for some jobs prior to getting my license here but I honestly think with all of the online applications, I feel they filter things based on criteria met, so was hesitant about applying to too much before I had the license. All of the applications asked for my state license info. I felt as though my applications would get automatically dismissed especially with so many state licensed people already applying.

Ya I was afraid they may just filter you out without a license. I just don't know which states have the most job opening for new grads. How is the market in New Jersey?

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For me the job market does not look good....

I have 1 year experience but no BSN. (I have a BA and MS in other Psych/Education but worth nothing!) Not bites yet. I may be in a different situation than you though. I am 40, have kids and a husband who works crazy hours, so I am looking for something not full time. Due to my situation, I am a little more limited. I have seen many new grad internships/ residencies here there though. Many start NOT paid! Cost of living in northern NJ is ridiculous too.

I honestly don't know which states but the larger teaching hospitals seem to have programs. Unfortunately though they don't have a rolling hiring process, more starting groups of new nurses twice a year.

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If you have a license in another state, just put that down when they ask for your license #, I think if you already have one regardless of the location they don't mind. And clearly if your address is another state then it would be understandable ur license is possibly in that state.

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employers usually like you to have your license in the state for which you are applying, especially for states that are really competitive. I just moved to Hawaii a couple months ago and my RN license is in the state of PA and I've had employers tell me to change my license over so my resume looks more marketable (even though they still won't hire me because I have no experience and it's so competitive here). However, there have been a couple nursing homes here that didn't require experience, but said they wouldn't hire me because I don't have a Hawaii license yet. I just don't want to pay over $200 yet to change my license over in case I can't find a job here and would eventually have to move back home.

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It really depends on the employer. Some job descriptions explicitly state that you should have a license to practice in that state for your application to be considered. I recently accepted an out-of-state position prior to applying for licensure in that state, however. If you are licensed in a compact state and wish to apply in another compact state, you may want to list next to your license info "part of Nurse Licensure Compact" on your resume or application. You have some breathing room b/c you can practice up to 30 days under your prior state's license when moving from one compact state to another.

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Is your facility hiring new grads? I some experience

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Specializes in ED.

You can check to see if the state in which you'd like to work is a "compact" state (Compact meaning agreement, not stature). Compact states have an agreement to allow a nurse with a license from other compact states to work in any of the others without changing over or charging fees.

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You can check to see if the state in which you'd like to work is a "compact" state (Compact meaning agreement, not stature). Compact states have an agreement to allow a nurse with a license from other compact states to work in any of the others without changing over or charging fees.

That is incorrect; you must still pay a fee and become licensed by endorsement in the new compact state.https://www.ncsbn.org/2002.htm#faq04

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