Can you take a nursing program in one state and apply for a license in a different one?

[W090800]

Hello, I am going to be attending a nursing school in Florida, mainly because it is cheap. However I want to work and move to New York. Can I take the program in Florida, and apply for a New York license instead once I'm done? Or do I have to apply for a Florida one since I studied in Florida? Thank you!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

You apply to the state where you want to work. It is not a requirement to be licensed in the state where you attended school. Otherwise, my program near the state line wouldn't have had all those students from the south!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

You can live in New York, go to school in Florida and take NCLEX in Pennsylvania for licensure in New Jersey (so long as your nursing program in Florida meets NY BoN requirements). I would, however, ensure that you have job prospects in New York, which is highly competitive, before spending money on getting your license and moving there.