Caught between two states and license expired

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I have been trying to move my active nursing license in Ms for months as of dec 31 ima would not renew my license because I moved to ark ark has had me on hold for months and now my Ms license has expired and I can't work of course I have called the nursing board every day and I get the answering machine I have also left message in portal Ian I locked out what's happening they say it has to hobbefore director

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3 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

It sounds like you're in a frustrating situation with your license transfer process. Here are some steps you can take.

Both Arkansas and Missouri are part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). This means that nurses with an NLC license can work in both states without needing to obtain a separate license.

  • Document everything. Continue keeping detailed records of every call, message, and interaction with both Mississippi and Arkansas nursing boards. Make sure to note dates, times, and the responses you receive, including any answers from the answering machine. Ask for names when talking with a person. This documentation may be useful later if you need to escalate the situation.
  • Reach out to the director. Since you mentioned that the issue needs to be addressed by the director, try to find direct contact information for them. Sometimes, reaching out via email or contacting the nursing board's general office with a specific request for the director's contact information can get you quicker attention. Be polite but firm in your request.

Escalate via other channels. If you're not getting responses from the nursing board directly, consider:

State Ombudsman. You could contact the state ombudsman or consumer affairs office in Arkansas or Mississippi to help expedite your situation.

Nursing union or association. If you're a nursing union or association member, they may have additional resources to assist in your case.

  • Inquire about interim permits. If your license is expired and you can't work, ask if there's any way to get an interim permit or temporary work authorization while the transfer process is ongoing. Sometimes, boards will issue temporary licenses under special circumstances.
  • Reach out to legal counsel. If the situation is affecting your ability to work and dragging on too long, you may want to consult a lawyer specializing in licensure issues. They could help you navigate the bureaucracy more effectively.
  • Consider expedited options. If you haven't already, inquire about expedited processing or if there is a way to accelerate the decision by speaking directly with anyone who can offer that service.

It's tough to be in a waiting game, especially when your livelihood is at stake, but staying persistent and proactive is key.

Very best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Please reach out to your Arkansas State Representatives office to help resolving issue with board of nursing as they are usually experts dealing with state agencies.  Several allnurses members have had their license issues resolved in 2-3 weeks with their legislators help in other states.  Hope this gets resolved soon.

Had the OP renewed her/his MS license he or she would have been able to work in AR while her/his license was being processed.  As he/she didn't, when the MS license expired, there was no longer an active nursing license to endorse.

As the expired MS license is the problem, I think that the OP is going to have to contact the MS BON.

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