Federalize Nursing Licenses! Who's with me?

[mobileLPN]

Okay, I've had it. Over the past few months I've spent several hundred dollars on nursing licenses for three states. Between fingerprint fees, license fees,transcript fees, notary fees and worst of all verification fees! This came to a head today when I called my original state of licensure to find out why my verification hadn't been sent out yet, even though I overnight mailed them the request with the check and the check had already cleared my bank. They told me it can take up to 14 days from when they receive the request to when they mail it out. WHY IN THE &*$& DOES IT TAKE 14 DAYS TO SEND OUT A SIMPLE *$% VERIFICATION?

An employer can simply log onto the boards website and verify a license in 5 seconds FOR FREE! They sure didn't wait 14 days to cash my check!

If one state has to honor another states drivers license, why not nursing licenses? If I remember my high school history right (another transcript that required a notarized request!!!), shouldn't this fall under the "full faith and credit" clause of the constitution? Because I'm old an cannot remember the exact wording, I googled it and found the text as follows: "Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof."

Am I alone in thinking this is ridiculous? Congress should mandate national participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact currently signed by 17 states! :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire

[oramar]

But, where would the individual states get all their $$?? I think they (the states) will really pitch a fit with this one.

As far as I can see the main reason for the state to control the licenses is that they like the money the collect. I should not complain though, sounds like Pa. is cheap as compaired to other states.

[MaleRNJeff]

Why not one federal license? When we took our nursing license exam we took the same exam (NCLEX)--wasn't that a national exam, i.e., it's the same test that the RN from IN, or TX, or MS, and that I took here in KY. So why not one federal license? Yeah, I know about the boards loosing their hands in the pot theses. But why not make regional offices and state/local outposts to oversee the national mandates of a federal board? Would it really be so tough to do? Pipe dreams! Who knows, it could happen? I'm in favor of it!

[*nightshift*]

I'm with ya'. My ex was in the military and after 15 yrs of moving around, I shudder to think of what I've spent!!!

[Roseyposey]

I'm just a student, however, I used to work for a licensing board (engineers), and it all boils down to money. Licensing boards many times are given budgetary autonomy. They operate off of what they bring in; and by doing so, receive no general fund money from the state - and if it doesn't cost the executive office money, they don't care much about it. Also, their executive directors and board members have carte blanche to give themselves raises and take expensive trips all in the name of serving the board. They operate with very little regulation, with changes from the legislature coming only when the board itself initiates a change. Just my $.02 worth:chair: . My point being, there's incentive in many states for the boards to operate individually, it's all about the buckolas.

[nurseunderwater]

i am in the midst of refreshing my license and endorsing....what a pain in the butt :angyfire: i can relate to the px w/ one delay after another. I am soooooooo fed up at this point! what a great idea! would save me a lot of awful automated phonecalls, aggrivation (sp?) and $$$$$

[mstewart]

Isn't EVERYTHING about $$ these days? Well, Federal licenses would surely put an end to revoked licencees going to the neighboring state to practice. Since we are tested on a federal level, wouldn't it make sense to have Federal licensure, and from there maybe just registering in each state that you practice?

But....could you imagine the hoops they would make you go through to renew the Fed. license, not to mention what they woudl probably charge?

[Jailhouse RN]

What is "federalized"? Is it a word?

[SmilingBluEyes]

I'll be the lone voice of dissent. I'd rather not have a federalized license. I'll pay the fee for any state in which I choose to work.

I am curious. NOT disagreeing with you outright, but can you please expound on this by explaining WHY you prefer to pay for several licenses by state?

[gypsyatheart]

It's all a money game, of course. Many states are now compact, mine just recently went compact, I think there are what, 17 compact states now? I think that's the way we are all headed, pretty much. Our state, to compensate for loss of reciprocity money is increasing the renewal fees.

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

I'm actually toying with the idea of finding out which states have the lowest licensing fees, and which states have reciprocity with which other states, and going from there.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned driver's licenses and marriage licenses being recognized state to state.

Does seem we have a precedent here. The earlier states' rights/states' control thing with nurses predates the national exam.

Where's our lobby? The ANA won't do a thing--they're made up of that bunch depending on our "buckolas." (I really like that word, "buckolas.")

I agree--time for grassroots action. (And I too want to know why rollingstone would oppose federalization--yes, it's a word.)

Great thread!

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Map of states participating in the compact.

If your state isn't participating, maybe it's time to get some campaigning started!

[lady_jezebel]

I'd like to see MD licenses federalized to protect the public. How many times have we read about an MD commiting a crime in one state & thus losing his priviledges, only to move to another stata and practice without any restrictions?? Those type of stories drive me nuts. Since the AMA doesn't police itself, there needs to be federal oversight of MD practice.