Move from CO to NC

[laurin_p]

I am currently working in Colorado as an RN and have been for the last 4 years. We want to move back to NC to be close to family since we now have a child. I have been looking at CMC and Presbyterian so would plan to work in NC, however we would likely be looking to live near Lake Wylie or Fort Mill, so SC. Do you know if I would need a SC or NC license since I would live in SC but work in NC. I know they are both compact states, as well as Colorado, so I'm not really sure how this works. I know I can technically practice for 30 days in another compact state. I just don't want to move and then find a job, would like to start the process first as I have a great job now at a level I trauma center and regional stroke center in the neuro/trauma ICU, so I'm terrified to just leave this job, move across the country only to find it's hard to get a job. I called CMC today to ask if I needed the license in NC before I applied and they didn't really have an answer just told me to call the board of nusring. So I will do that but thought I would check here since I'm sure someone has done this before! :) Also does anyone know if you have to have residency established before applying for license?

Thanks!

[elkpark]

If you live in a compact state and are interested in working in other compact states, you can only get licensed in the state in which you reside. In your example above, you would apply for licensure in SC, and then work in NC on your SC license. If you physically live in SC and apply for NC licensure, you'll be told you're not eligible (same if you apply from CO). You can be interviewed and hired without having a license in that state yet (I've done it several times over my career). As you note, you'll have 30 days after you arrive in your new state to get licensed, and can work on your CO license during that time. It would help if you know by the time you move which state (NC or SC) you want to end up living in, and rent (or whatever) in that same state until you buy a house; otherwise, you'll have to pay for licensure in the one state and then turn around and pay to get a license in the new state when you settle somplace permanently.

If you are living in SC permanently and work in NC, you can work for the rest of your life in NC on your SC license; there's no time limit on that. The 30 days only applies when you are moving to a new state.

Best wishes for your journey!