Choosing btwn DC, Virginia and Maryland license

[Flygaze]

I want to live near the DC area but do not necessarily have to work there. Which nursing license would you all advise me to get: DC, Virginia, or Maryland? Having a license in which of those three areas would give me the most mobility and flexibility?

Also, if I were applying for a DC license and cannot get to DC or one of the approved states for the background check and the LiveScan, what are my alternatives? I currently live in Atlanta, GA.

Thank you all in advance! I want to start traveling this fall/winter and want to go ahead and get the endorsements out of the way before contacting agencies. Hopefully this will give me more leverage and flexibility. I have also applied for licenses in Colorado and California.

[NedRN]

Easy answer, don't get any of them until you land a contract. Talk to agencies first.

As far as I know, you should be able to find a LiveScan provider in GA. If not, you can send fingerprint cards.

[Flygaze]

Ah, thank you, NedRN. You are more prompt than the DC BON!

More questions: How long does it take to get a license in those areas?What is the timeline between initial contact with an agency and accepting a contract? I am not ready to travel until mid-October so I'm not sure if it's too early to contact agencies.

[NedRN]

DC is a walkthrough with a job. Maryland used to be a walkthrough but is still fast, two or three days for a temp. Even Virginia is only a week max for a temp. So wait for a contract first, I doubt any hospital will require a license before offering you a contract. Some states like California for example, a license in hand is necessary before you can be considered.

Your agency should know all this stuff, but there is a handy database on PanTravelers to look up license info useful for travelers (not new grads). Even some agencies use it because it is better than many BON sites. DC's site is especially bad historically as I've gotten a temp there several times (never bothered to get the perm).