Can I apply for a California RN license, but work in Nevada?

[Martin095]

I am currently a nursing student in Nevada completing my BSN degree. My residence state is California (I moved to NV for nursing school). Many of my relatives (and they are nurses as well) have told me to apply for a California RN license. Upon achieving it, they say that I am eligible to work in Nevada or any other state. I plan to stay in Nevada and work as a new-graduate and get experience, and hopefully move back to California in the future. So... the question is, if I apply for a California RN license, may I still get my new grad experience and work in Nevada with that California license?

[Sour Lemon]

No. A California license will not allow you to practice in Nevada.

[twinsmom788]

What your relatives told you is partially true. Once you have a license in one state that is unencumbered, you may work in any other state. HOWEVER, you must apply and pay fees to obtain a license in another state. This can be a slow process.

There are many states which form a compact and for those states you may work on your compact license. To my knowledge, California is not a compact state. So if you desire to work in Nevada, you must obtain a Nevada license. You could take your boards in California and then apply for your license in Nevada, or the other way around. If I was in your place, I would get my license in Nevada first. So, the answer to your question is "no".

[caliotter3]

Where you get your initial license should depend on where you intend to make your home for the long term. Would assume in your case you will want to return to CA, but in the interim, if you want to work in NV, you will need a NV license. I would obtain my license in CA, then get a NV license by endorsement, if I wanted to work in NV.

[chare]

I agree with twinsmom788; if you know that you are going to stay and apply for positions in NV, it only makes sense to apply for initial licensure there as opposed to CA. As for applying for initial licensure in CA, based in the premise that CA is your "home state" or that you might eventually return for the "long term," I'm not sure that there's any advantage to this. You should also consider that applying for initial licensure in CA and then endorsing to NV is only going to delay the licensing process, a delay that could result in your losing a job offer.

Best wishes with whichever route you choose.

[Sour Lemon]

Once you have a license in one state that is unencumbered, you may work in any other state. HOWEVER, you must apply and pay fees to obtain a license in another state. This can be a slow process.

It's actually possible to meet the licensing requirements for one state and not qualify to be licensed in another.

California and New York have the toughest reputations, and I'm guessing that was the source of the misinformation.

An RN who qualifies in California is unlikely to be turned down by another state ...but they still have to apply and go through that state's separate process.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

Just wanted to add that licensing in CA is crazy expensive (~$350 base fee, not including other fees like fingerprints). If you're working in NV, you'll need an NV license to practice. Therefore, I'd hold off on getting your CA license until you're sure you're going to move there.