Transferring Indiana RN license to Illinois

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a quick question and was hoping someone could help me out here! I just graduated with my ADN in December 06' and received my Indiana RN license a few weeks ago. I've been working at the same hospital that I completed my externship at during nursing school and am unhappy. I am interested in applying at the University of Chicago Hospitals (i live in northern indiana). Can I apply BEFORE transferring my license to Illinois? For one thing I'm not even sure how to do that, but I dont want to get the IL license and end up only being able to get a new job in Indiana.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!;)

Specializes in ICU.

Yes, you can apply for a job before getting the license, but you won't be able to start working until you have it. If you go to www.idpfr.com you can get the application for the IL license. It is a lot of paper work and will take a few weeks, but you should be able to get an IL license without a problem. Just apply for the IL license ASAP, as it may take awhile.

Ok, thank you SO much, I appreciate the help!!

Ok, thank you SO much, I appreciate the help!!

Which hospital in Indiana are you unhappy with? I'm in Florida but I got this offer from an Indiana hospital that will train a new grad RN in just about anything they want.

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Quote from oMerMero above, "Just apply for the IL license ASAP, as it may take awhile."

This is so true. IL is notoriously slow in processing applications for licensure by endorsement. I would recommend starting the process now, even if you aren't 100% sure that you will be offered a job in IL. Licenses in IL are hard to come by, but easy to maintain. Licensing fees are relatively low ($60/2years, I think) and no CEUs are required. Since you live so close to the state line, you may find that it is worthwhile to obtain an IL license so that you can work a few per diem shifts or do agency work in the Chicago area.

Good luck to you!

Thanks Jolie. That's what I was thinking but can I hold both an Indiana and an Illinois license at the same time? I thought that once I transfer the license to Illinois then I would no longer be licensed in Indiana...

When did life get so complicated!?! haha

oMerMero-

Are you sure that www.idpfr.com is the correct site?? I can't seem to find anything about licensure by endorsement. You would think the illinois state board of nursing would be helpful but....its not :p.

Thanks!

Never mind, found the forms, thanks!

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
That's what I was thinking but can I hold both an Indiana and an Illinois license at the same time? I thought that once I transfer the license to Illinois then I would no longer be licensed in Indiana...

You can hold as many nursing licenses as you desire. Endorsing to a new state does not invalidate your initial license. At one time, I had 5 active licenses. (We moved a lot!)

If you endorse to a new state AND keep your initial license active, just be certain that you understand and meet the renewal requirements for both. If you find that you no longer need multiple licenses, follow the state's guidelines for officially placing your license on inactive status. If you allow a license to go inactive by failing to renew it without placing it on inactive status, you may face financial penalties and other roadblocks if you ever wish to renew it.

Lastly, a piece of advice given to me by a very wise nursing instructor: If at all possible, always keep your INITIAL license active. Any time you need to endorse to a new state, you will have to go back to your initial state and request licensing information. Most states, IL included, provide that information much more quickly for current licensees. If you allow your initial license to lapse or go inactive, it can be difficult to obtain the information needed to endorse to another state.

Thanks everyone! Only one more question:chair:....I was working on all the paperwork and there is one thing im not sure about. There is a form called CT-NUR (Verification By Licensing Agency/Board that says you need to mail it to your jurisdiction, have then fill it out and return it to you, then send it along w/ the license application. Well I found out that the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency doesn't do this, they use the NURSYS license verification. That can be done online and much faster...but the paperwork says that that form MUST be completed..i'm confused:bugeyes: ! And to make it even better I called the help number and it said "We are out of the office for the holiday". Um....Since when is Feb. 12th a holiday, too bad we all dont work there! Haha thanks again everyone. :)

Specializes in ICU.

NURSYS is very common these days. You have to go to the website for NURSYS and pay to have let IL access your license info from IN. On the IL paperwork you can write in "verifiable with NURSYS online." IL can handle it from there.

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