Can't Get License Endorsed in Another State : What is the best option?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am happy to find you. You have the same name as my dearest mentor. Now I am stuck and I want to listen to your opinion on it.

After working at an oncologic med/surg floor for 6 years, I quit my job 2 years ago to move to another state. Unfortunately, I can't get my license endorsed here and I am stuck on the process with CGFNS. The good part is I still have my license active in NY. When I am looking for a job, I have couple options

1. Working as PCA in the current state.

2. Applying a similar job as I held before in NYS ( I have not worked for 2 years, but I still hold validated chemo provider card.)

3. Applying Nurse I position in NYS

Although I haven't worked for 2 years, but I keep studying and refreshing my knowledge through ONS. I am confident with my assessment skills and nursing skills. Should I focus on one option to look for a job? Which option should I focus on? Or get whatever I can land? Appreciate :)

---

Dear Which Option to Take,

I'm glad I share the name of your mentor :)

Sorry to hear about the delay in getting your license endorsed. I hope you can get some help with that (legal counsel?) and get that moving forward.

Definitely keep your license active in New York.

Option 1. Working as a PCA in current state. The upside is that you would have a steady job in the medical field in the state you currently reside in. Once your license is endorsed, you will have connections which will help your job search. The down side is PCA experience will not count as relevant experience when applying later for an RN position. I would put my energies into landing an RN job.

Option 2. Applying to a similar job in New York state. (Still hold validated chemo card). Your six years of chemo experience is valuable. You have an employment gap of two years which you will have to overcome (give a reason for). You would be wise to get a nursing job sooner than later.

Option 3. Applying for a Nurse I position in New York state. Not sure what a Nursing I position is, but I take it to mean non-oncologic. It's a matter of personal preference and opportunity. While not in oncology, it would be the best thing for your resume and career to land a nursing job. You can always change jobs later, but you'd be working.

Good job on keeping up with your ONS knowledge. Be sure and mention it in your interviews.

Best,

Nurse Beth

[james_lankford]

"Unfortunately, I can't get my license endorsed here"

just wondering, are you an Excelsior grad ?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

"Unfortunately, I can't get my license endorsed here"

just wondering, are you an Excelsior grad ?

They are an internationally educated nurse with transcripts held up in credentials evaluation through CGFNS. IENs are not eligible for Excelsior generally speaking

[james_lankford]

oh, I didn't get that they were internationally educated.

The reason I asked about Excelsior is because I know some states won't accept nurses who have completed the online nurses program at Excelsior.

And I was wondering if that was the case here.

[unplannedRN]

Illinois is one of those. However, it turns out that if you have been licensed in another state AND have 2 full years of clinical nursing practice, the you meet the requirement in IL. The logic is that now you DO have the required clinical hours for a license that you didn't have in your online program. There is also an appeal process.