Do you take NCLEX in state you graduate from or where you want to work?

caliotter3 · Sep 20, 2011

Take the NCLEX where it is more convenient, like closest to where you live. Have the results sent to the state where you have applied for your initial license. Your initial license should be based upon where you live and want to work, where you want to work, or on whether or not you will be getting a compact license. Most people have the results sent to the state where they live, because they plan on staying and working in that particular state so that is where they applied for their initial license.

nurse simmy · Sep 21, 2011

The director of my nursing program suggested applying for a license in the state our school is in. One of the students planned to move to another state within weeks of graduation. It was recommended to get her license in our state, and then apply for one in the new state, because our program is approved in our state. It is possible that the new state would have different clinical/course requirements and she would have to take more classes before sitting NCLEX. It would be easier to pass, get licensed, then get it endorsed in the new state.

~Simmy

elkpark · Sep 21, 2011

The director of my nursing program suggested applying for a license in the state our school is in. One of the students planned to move to another state within weeks of graduation. It was recommended to get her license in our state, and then apply for one in the new state, because our program is approved in our state. It is possible that the new state would have different clinical/course requirements and she would have to take more classes before sitting NCLEX. It would be easier to pass, get licensed, then get it endorsed in the new state.
~Simmy

If there is going to be a problem with getting approved for initial licensure in the other state, then, yes, I would also recommend doing it that way. However, the requirements for nursing education programs are pretty similar from state to state, and I don't see any point in investing the time and $$$ into getting a license you don't plan on using (i.e., in a state in which you don't plan to practice) unless you have to. (Otherwise, pursuing licensure as your school director advised is nothing but making a big donation to your (current) state BON. :))