Going to School in One State and Testing/Getting Licenced in Another? (Louisiana to Utah)

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Hey guys,

Ok so I want to know if I should take my NCLEX and apply for licensure in the same state I am getting my degree in (Louisiana [LA]) or if I should apply for licensure in the state I plan to work/live in (Utah [uT]).

Here's my problem: I'm aware that I can apply for licensure in Utah and take my NCLEX there (I'm aware they actually encourage people to do this if they plan on moving/working in another state immediately after graduation). I don't know if I should 1. Stay in LA after I graduate on May 15, 2015, take the NCLEX in LA, move to UT the day after I take the NCLEX, then apply for endorsement with UT. OR 2. Apply for licensure in UT, graduate in LA, move to UT the day after I graduate, then take the NCLEX in UT.

Obviously applying in UT would be the much easier solution but I have been recommended by every teacher in my program to get licensed in the state I went to school because the LA Board of Nursing (BON) is already familiar with me and has already cleared me once (for clinical). They said that there is a very real possibility that it may take several months for UT's BON to clear my background or that they may require me to take additional classes. They said they have had a couple students have to wait 6-15 months after graduation just trying to get their backgrounds cleared! I do have an infraction on my record from 4 years ago that I always tell them about (even though I technically answered "no" to all their clearance questions since it wasn't a misdemeanor/felony) so I understand it may take them a bit longer. But I want to turn in my official transcripts and get the ball rolling the day after I graduate (05/16/2015) so I can test ASAP

My biggest concern is how long it's going to take UT to clear me to test. I'm suppose to turn in my application for licensure April 8, 2015 and need to make a decision as to which state I'm going to apply for. Has anyone had any experience with going to school in one state but testing/getting licensed in another? Anyone have any experience with Utah's BON and how fast they are to clear someone (whether it was in regards to clinical or licensure)?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

You can take the exam in LA for licensure in Utah. When you apply, you just need to apply through the Utah BON. But where you PHYSICALLY take the exam, it doesn't matter. If you're planning on moving to/working in Utah, and not at all in LA, you should take it through the Utah BON.

As far as how long it will take for the UTAH BON to clear you to test, no idea on that one. Maybe ask at the Utah nursing page - I'm sure there are new grads there who can tell you how long it took to get the ATT.

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Let's put it this way. If (for some weird, unlikely reason) the UT BoN doesn't accept your LA school and allow you take NCLEX in UT, taking and passing NCLEX in LA and applying for a UT license by endorsement won't work anyway; UT wouldn't accept your education even if you had an LA license.

That stuff about the LA BoN knows your school is horsepucky. Has no relationship to anything.

Call the UT BoN and tell them this story, and ask them if your school is acceptable to them. If so, then ask them hat you need to do to take the NCLEX in UT and be done with it. As a bonus, you'd only have to pay for one license, not two.

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Utah Nursing page?? Is that on allnurses? facebook?

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See up above where it says, "US"? Utah is still part of the union. :)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Gold stripe across the top of your screen. Click on "US"

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Specializes in LTC, Rural, OB.

I was in a similar situation except different states. I graduated from a school in Washington already knowing I would be working in Montana. As I did not want to pay for both licenses and wanted to get my Montana license as quickly as I could, I applied for my Montana license by exam and took it in Montana. My only hold up was having to wait for my transcripts to reach the Montana BON...which my Washington buddies did not have to wait for in order to get their ATT. Literally our director sent the electronic "okay they passed" and within hours they all had their ATTs and most signed up for their test date that day...this was 5 days before graduation. I, on the other hand, didn't get my ATT until two weeks later. I had known going into this that the transcripts were going to be my only hold up. Research what Utah will require by calling up their BON and speaking with someone and find out approximately how long it will take to get your ATT or if you go the other direction and get it by endorsement how long that will take. Sometimes endorsement takes longer. I am now trying to get my Washington license and this will take longer than if I had tested there. Now I almost wish I had gotten both licenses when I graduated. Point is, research what each direction would take as soon as you can. Good luck!

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Specializes in Pedi.

Apply for licensure by exam in Utah. Take NCLEX in whatever state you are physically in when you are ready to test. It can be Utah, Louisiana or any of the other 48 states. NCLEX is national.

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Thanks everyone!

Against the recommendation of all of the instructors, I've decided to test in and get licensed for Utah. Their BON is extremely nice/helpful/patient. I've talked with them several times and have always gotten so much kindness and patience from them. I called Louisiana's BON and the lady refused to give me any information and literally hung up on me. I'm just going to take a leap of faith and hope i don't have to wait so long to take my NCLEX. I'm also not too worried about the transcripts because even my classmates will have to wait for the Director of Nursing to physically mail the state the proof of program completion.

But again, thank you to everyone who took the time to reply! :inlove:

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