Licensure

[DiannaMac, RN]

I currently work for a plasma donation center as an MSA (medical staff associate) which requires a RN degree. They keep asking for one of us to go to their sister center in another state that we do not have a compact licensure with. I've been told that we are perfectly fine, that we are there only as emergency backup because we are CPR certified. Per the FDA, the center can't even open without an MSA on staff.

Isn't our license in jeopardy for even clocking in as an MSA in another state that we are not licensed under, as practicing without a license is the act of working without the licensure offered for that occupation?

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

If you are an RN, yes, your license is at risk. Back up is backup. You can't leave your RN at the front door.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

You cannot practice as a nurse in a state where you don't have a license (or that compact agreement). So their argument is invalid. Are they willing to pay to license you in that state? Get on the state's BON and find out what needs to happen. It's also possible that there's some coverage for transitory times - I've read about this but never experienced it: school nurses on field trips may be covered for a limited time in another stated. The Board will have more info.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Even in emergency situations, you need a license (or compact) in that state. I remembered a few years back when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas that the state fast tracked nursing licenses for out of state nurses wanting to help out because the nurses were not allowed to work without a license.