Living in Dc--working in MD

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Ok so this is complicated..

I am about to graduate from nursing school in Texas but have a TN driver's license. In July I will start work at a hospital in MD (compact state) but will be living in DC (non compact).

1. Can I legally live in DC and work in MD because I have no clue how to get a MD driver's license which I assume I will need to get a nursing license.

2. Would it be easiest for be to register for the NCLEX via MD or for me to just continue to process in Texas then apply to have it switched to MD.

No one from the MD Board of Nursing has responded to any of my questions and I am desperate for answers.

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Specializes in PICU.

You can definitely live in DC and work in MD. As for switching Driver's License, you just go to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles. Once you establish residency, i.e signing a lease, utilities, etc, you can go to the DMV and spend a painful day waiting your turn in line for the drivers license

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

You do not need a driver's license to get a nursing license.

*Why do schools not cover this in the final term? Argh....

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You do not need a driver's license to get a nursing license.

*Why do schools not cover this in the final term? Argh....

Because they're too busy scaring the pants of the students about NETY! :whistling:

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1. Can I legally live in DC and work in MD because I have no clue how to get a MD driver's license which I assume I will need to get a nursing license.

Yes, you can live in one state and practice in another. The way the compact states work is that you have your license in your home state while working in another compact state. In this case, you would just need a MD license because you won't be working in DC. You also don't need a driver's license to get a nursing license.

2. Would it be easiest for be to register for the NCLEX via MD or for me to just continue to process in Texas then apply to have it switched to MD.

If you can, I think it would be easier to register for a MD license, take the NCLEX in Texas before you move, and then you can start applying for jobs in MD once you pass. Then you'll already have your license and possibly a job waiting for you once you move to MD. The BON is notoriously slow, so it would be easiest to only have to go through the process once.

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Because they're too busy scaring the pants of the students about NETY! :whistling:

And enforcing hand hygiene, APA formatting, and hoop jumping.

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Specializes in acute dialysis, Telemetry, subacute.

Yes you can. I lived in Maryland and worked in DC for years. I have a lot of friends who live in Maryland or Virginia and work in DC.

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Thanks everyone for your help you have no idea how much I appreciate it! Next question-- would it be feasible for me to take the NCLEX in texas (first week of june) then apply for Endorsement in Maryland and receive a MD nursing license by mid-July?

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Specializes in Oncology.

There are lots of nurses that live in Canada or Mexico and work in the US. I'm sure communting internationally is even more common in Europe. Living and working in a different state is no big deal. You'll likely have to pay income tax where you live and work and you only need to maintain an RN license where you work.

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Thanks everyone for your help you have no idea how much I appreciate it! Next question-- would it be feasible for me to take the NCLEX in texas (first week of june) then apply for Endorsement in Maryland and receive a MD nursing license by mid-July?

Why bother to pay for a license you know you're not going to use, and then immediately turn around and pay for the license you actually want (a process that will also take more time than just applying for the MD license in the first place)? You can apply for MD licensure, and physically sit the NCLEX in TX in order to get a MD license. You don't have to apply for TX licensure, and you don't have to travel to MD in order to sit the NCLEX for MD licensure. Be aware that, if that's your final plan, you'll need to ask your school to send your documentation to the MD BON. Schools automatically send the necessary paperwork for graduates to their own BON; they can just as easily send the info to the BON in another state, but they need to know that's what you want them to do.

Best wishes for your journey!

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Specializes in PICU.
Thanks everyone for your help you have no idea how much I appreciate it! Next question-- would it be feasible for me to take the NCLEX in texas (first week of june) then apply for Endorsement in Maryland and receive a MD nursing license by mid-July?

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If you know that you are going to work in Maryland, make it easier on your self and just apply to Maryland. You don't want to chance any delay.

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I lived in Maryland and worked in DC full time. I also took a part time job working in MD so had to get a Maryland license too.

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