Is reciprocity a good idea?

Katnip, RN · Sep 1, 2008

It is a good idea, as far as only taking one NCLEX and not having to take it every time you move to a new state, or living in one state and working in a neighboring one without having to pay for a new license. Ditto for travel nursing.

I do think that as far as immigration is concerned the states all need to come up with similar, if not the same standards.

lpnflorida · Sep 1, 2008

As to reciprocity. We all hope that when we take our boards our scores are high enough so that we never ever have to take boards again to go and work in another state. Mind you it was 30 years ago when I did it and scoring might be very different now.

I am aware that once upon a time any nurse who took boards in California( at least as an LPN perhaps it is different for an RN ) had to retake boards to go work in another state. I recall sitting next to a licensed LPN/LVN from Cali. who was sitting boards in Minnesota for that very reason.

Any corrections to this are well appreciated. I am on vacation so I can not ask my coworkers as to whether this is still the case or not.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Sep 1, 2008

As to reciprocity. We all hope that when we take our boards our scores are high enough so that we never ever have to take boards again to go and work in another state. Mind you it was 30 years ago when I did it and scoring might be very different now.

If this was once the case, I can assure you it is no longer.

There is no "score" received on an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam. Merely 'pass' or 'fail'. There is no numerical score applied at all. Once one has received a passing score it is expected one will receive a license; once one HOLDS that license, there is no need to re-take the NCLEX again (the exception being in the case of a nurse who allows her license to lapse and her State requires a re-take. Not all do).

You apply for an endorsement to whatever State in which you wish to work. Whether you GET that endorsement (what most people erroneously think of as a 'new license') depends on the requirements of the State to which you are applying.

If you've graduated from a school or program that the new State does not recognize as valid, you won't be getting that endorsement. Likewise, if you don't have current coursework/CEUs as needed. It's up to each State to determine what they expect of a licensed nurse.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 1, 2008

My biggest issue with international reciprocity is the communication problem that is very common. If that were addressed and they passed NCLEX I'd say it is a good idea. Not to say the nurses I've worked with from the Philippines weren't hard working and competent but when patients, staff and physicians can't easily understand what they are saying it becomes dangerous, imo.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 1, 2008

Only NCLEX is reciprocity you still have to meet BON requirements for foreign trained nurse. Also Ca will not issue license without SSN and with retrogression you are looking at a longer period than that to get out to the US. Also you now need local license unless you are exempt from sitting the exam. We do not recommend Ca for initial licensure

Moving this to the International forum

suzanne4, RN · Sep 1, 2008

CA has specific requirements for licensure, as does Michigan. If you wishing to endorse to MI, then you are going to need to meet those requirements.

Reciprocity is only with the NCLEX exam, licenses do not have reciprocity. You have to meet all of the requirements for the new state for licensure.

Also be aware that CA does not issue a license without a SSN#, so you will not be able to use the endorsement process for MI if you do not have an actual license number to endorse.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 1, 2008

My biggest issue with international reciprocity is the communication problem that is very common. If that were addressed and they passed NCLEX I'd say it is a good idea. Not to say the nurses I've worked with from the Philippines weren't hard working and competent but when patients, staff and physicians can't easily understand what they are saying it becomes dangerous, imo.

There is no reciprocity with foreign licenses and the US. All must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to get licensued.

Reciprocity means that their license is valid here and can automatically get them a US license, but that is not the case. Even Canadians are now required to write the NCLEX exam to get licensed here.