Graduate Nurse Status-Military Spouse

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in L&D.

I'm not sure if anyone will be able to help me with this, but I'm a military spouse who graduated in Louisiana but I'm a resident of Florida. Therefore, in order to receive a compact license I have to test in my state of "permanent residence." My question is will I be able to work in Louisiana before receiving my actual license since it's a compact state? Florida issues something called a graduate nurse status letter, but Louisiana issues temp licenses. I'm hoping I can start work on the 20th as planned, but I really don't know now. Hoping someone can offer some guidance or advice on the topic or maybe there is an exemption for military spouses. TIA!

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.

Call the LA BON, that way you'll have official word. Or HR where you're going to work either should know or will get the answer.

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Specializes in L&D.

Thank you! The LSBN is closed today for a state holiday, but I will definitely give them a call tomorrow.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
2 hours ago, Kiras96 said:

Therefore, in order to receive a compact license I have to test in my state of "permanent residence."

Did they truly state that you have to test in your state of residence or that your license must come from your legal state of residence? NCLEX is a national exam and can be taken anywhere it is offered. The key thing is making sure you apply for the correct state's licensure. I can live in Colorado, graduate in Wyoming, apply for license in Colorado, and test in Hawaii if I wanted to.

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Specializes in L&D.

Sorry, I should have worded it better. I'm testing in Louisiana for a Florida license so that I can receive a compact license. Since I am not a resident of Louisiana, getting a license here means it will only be a single state license.

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Specializes in New Grad Dec 2019.

I don't know how it works for other states, but the NM BoN said that I have to test in my state of graduation.

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18 minutes ago, Sehnsucht said:

I don't know how it works for other states, but the NM BoN said that I have to test in my state of graduation.

If you were actually told this, then you were told wrong. You can attend school in one state, apply for licensure in another state, and then actually writen the at any authorized testing center anywhere, to include another country.

The only exception to applying for licensure in another state is for states that are members of the enhance Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). if you are a legal resident of an eNLC state you can not apply for licensure in another eNLC state, you must apply in your state of residency.

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Specializes in New Grad Dec 2019.
5 minutes ago, chare said:

If you were actually told this, then you were told wrong. You can attend school in one state, apply for licensure in another state, and then actually writen the at any authorized testing center anywhere, to include another country.

The only exception to applying for licensure in another state is for states that are members of the enhance Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). if you are a legal resident of an eNLC state you can not apply for licensure in another eNLC state, you must apply in your state of residency.

I misspoke. NM wants me to test in my state of residence, which is the same as where I go to school.

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I was a military spouse when I graduated. I went and graduated school in Michigan. I tested and got my first license in California. It took awhile for them to verify that my nursing program was approved by the CA BON, but once that was completed, I had no problem taking the NCLEX and obtaining my license. My legal residence was in MI at the time since my husband was in the USMC.

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