Do I need to keep RN license active?

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Specializes in Surgery.

My RN and NP license are to expire in a couple weeks and I don't know the answer. Do I need to keep my RN license active anymore now that I'm practicing as an NP?

I'm not planning on doing an per diem work as an RN.

Thanks

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

It's state by state. I live on the border of MA and CT. I can't speak for NPs, but CNMs need to keep their RN license active in MA but not in CT. I would recommend keeping your RN active, because it is a pain in the butt to re-activate it if you ever need it again.

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North Carolina requires one to maintain both their RN and NP license (see below). I would bet that all if not the majority of states have the same requirement. I recommend that you look through your state Board of Nursing rules/laws/regulations. Once you have the regulations pulled up on a web page, type CTRL-F (this is the shortcut for "find"), then type in "Registered Nurse" This will allow you to quickly scan the NP rules/regulations/laws fairly quickly to find the answer you are looking for.

North Carolina Rules/Regulation/Laws

SUBCHAPTER 32M - APPROVAL OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS

21 NCAC 32M .0103 NURSE PRACTITIONER REGISTRATION

(a) The Board of Nursing shall register an applicant as a nurse practitioner who:

(1) has an unrestricted license to practice as a registered nurse in North Carolina and, when applicable, an

unrestricted approval, registration

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There's a reason why the word "nurse" is in the "nurse practitioner" title. AFAIK, every state requires that advanced practice nurses maintain active RN licensure in addition to their advanced practice certification and licensure (I've never heard any different in the 30 years and several states in which I've practiced nursing -- if I'm wrong, I'm happy to be corrected :)).

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Specializes in Surgery.

Mehhh. What a scam. Ok thanks everyone.

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I'll add that some states (particularly those without independent practice) your RN license may be the only true license you have. For example in NC, you have an RN license and have an approval to practice as an NP. The latter is tied directly to your supervising MD and place of employment. You lose NP practice privileges if you leave your place of employment as an NP without having another job. Of course this varies state-to-state but I personally would maintain my RN license.

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Mehhh. What a scam. Ok thanks everyone.

Why is it a "scam"? Advanced practice nursing is built on your education and licensure as an RN. It's impossible to be an advanced practice nurse without being an RN. Even the direct-entry programs that take people with no nursing background include basic nursing education and RN licensure.

If it's that big a problem for you, you can always become a PA.

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Recommend keeping it active in case you ever need it to get past the digital filters in an online application.

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Specializes in Surgery.
Why is it a "scam"? Advanced practice nursing is built on your education and licensure as an RN. It's impossible to be an advanced practice nurse without being an RN. Even the direct-entry programs that take people with no nursing background include basic nursing education and RN licensure.

If it's that big a problem for you, you can always become a PA.

Wow, calm down. Do you work for the board? It's a scam because now I'm paying for 2 licenses that call me an RN. That's my opinion, that ok with you? Lol

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Wow, calm down. Do you work for the board? It's a scam because now I'm paying for 2 licenses that call me an RN. That's my opinion, that ok with you? Lol

I agree with you Alicia- I understand that np is based off of having an rn license, but to pay for 2 licenses? It should be included in the states that do have 2 sep licenses. Maybe I wouldn't care if I didn't have to pay for them myself.

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You can always try to negotiate licensing fees into your work compensation. My employer pays for both my RN license and annual NP practice approval as well as DEA and other licensing fees.

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Alicia: I'm not an NP yet but in NY and most other states I'm aware of you need an active RN license to hold an NP license.

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