Can WA state nurses work in other states?

Nurses General Nursing

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Everyone is welcome to answer these question:

Can WA state nurses work in other states? In another words, if you got your RN license from one state, can you work for other states? For example, you want to live in a different state or you want to be a travel nurse?

One more question, what states tend to pay more wage/salary for RN (new graduate, or experienced RN, or just nurses in general)?

Thanks everyone in advance! Good day....!!!!

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CA is one of the higher-paying states.

No, you can't work in another state with a WA license. You do not have to take the boards again but you would have to apply for licensure in each state in which you want to work. There are some blocks of states that recognize each other's licenses, but WA is not part of a block.

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Specializes in ER.

These are the current compact states listed

COMPACT STATES

IMPLEMENTATION DATE

Arizona 7/1/2002

Arkansas 7/1/2000

Delaware 7/1/2000

Idaho 7/1/2001

Iowa 7/1/2000

Maine 7/1/2001

Maryland 7/1/1999

Mississippi 7/1/2001

Nebraska 1/1/2001

New Hampshire 1/1/2006

New Mexico 1/1/2004

North Carolina 7/1/2000

North Dakota 1/1/2004

South Carolina 2/1/2006

South Dakota 1/1/2001

Tennessee 7/1/2003

Texas 1/1/2000

Utah 1/1/2000

Virginia 1/1/2005

Wisconsin 1/1/2000

If you primary license is in one of these states, you can practice in any of the others. Sweet deal for travel nurses!

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when i'm done with nursing school in WA state, can i take my state test to get california license? or license from other state?

does that mean I can't work as a travel nurse because i can't work in other states? **sigh***

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when i'm done with nursing school in WA state, can i take my state test to get california license? or license from other state?

does that mean I can't work as a travel nurse because i can't work in other states? **sigh***

Yes, when you are done with school in Wa, you can apply for your license to work in Ca. If you move or travel to any other state, you just have to apply for a license to work in that state.

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Specializes in Rural Health.
when i'm done with nursing school in WA state, can i take my state test to get california license? or license from other state?

does that mean I can't work as a travel nurse because i can't work in other states? **sigh***

No one said you can't work in any other state, you just have to be licensed in each state you work in....or you have to obtain a license in one of the compact states.

When you are done with school you will take your NCLEX and become licensed in whatever state you desire. After obtaining your original license, you apply for endorsement license in whatever state you want to work in or travel to. For example: you will graduate and become licensed in WA, after you obtain your license from WA you can contact say....CA and get a license there and if you want another license from say Oregon, you'll contact them and get one.

Now say you want to work in Idaho, it's listed as a compact state, so when you obtain your Idaho license you are allowed now to work in all of the compact states.

You can get as many licenses as you desire - you just have to pay for them and keep up with the requirements for each one.

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Specializes in SRNA.

The way it was explained to me, which seems simple in my mind:

1) Graduate from nursing school

2) Apply for licensure with the Board of Nursing for the state you want to work in (it doesn't have to be the same state you graduated from). They will provide an Approval To Test - which allows you to make an appointment to take the NCLEX.

3) Pass the NCLEX, which is a national exam to get your RN credentials.

4) Receive your license.

5) Work as an RN :)

If you move to another state, you fill out paperwork with their board of nursing to receive a license for the state you're moving to.

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