Getting an Out-of-state license before getting a job at the new state?

PCnurse88 · Apr 12, 2014

I had licensure in 3 states, my home state, the state directly north of mine where I thought I had a connection (but it fell through after I had already gotten the license) and then in Georgia after I received a callback for an interview. Ended up getting 2 job offers, one in my home state and one in GA. If I hadn't gotten the job in my home state, or if I had been offered the job just 3 days later, I would be living in Atlanta now. However, it was a decent amount of money to spend on multiple licenses that I didn't actually end up using. Luckily I had an old high school job to fall back on to pay for it. Both of my out-of-state licenses came relatively quickly, so my best advice would be to wait until you had at least an interview (or perhaps get it in a compact state, which none of my were).

ElectricHuman · Apr 12, 2014

Thanks for the reply! What did you write in the out of state applications when they asked for a current state license?

amzyRN · Apr 12, 2014

Yes. I have 2 active licenses in states I don't practice in. Some nursing boards want a job history on the application to make sure you've practiced in the past 5 years. But if you are a new grad, you don't need that because you just went to nursing school. I think it's as easy as applying and paying a fee and submitting fingerprints.

PCnurse88 · Apr 13, 2014

Well I had my Connecticut license originally. Like I took the NCLEX last July 3rd and passed, and that gave me my CT license. In August I got my Mass license and in November I got my Georgia license. @AmzyRN is right, all I had to do was pay in Massachusetts and in Georgfia I had to pay and submit fingerprints, which I got done at my local police station.