Moving to another state....

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So i graduate next year with nursing. My fiance got a job in Washington as an engineer. He graduates this year... so we're going to do the long distance thing for a while. We've been together since our freshman year of high school and suffered 4 yrs with a long distance relationship, whats one more?!!?

Anyway, i do plan on being with him after i graduate. However; i have my degree in Wisconsin. I heard you have to apply for a license to practice in another state. And in order to do so, you need experience! Is this true??? Do i have to work here before i can apply for a license to practice in Washington? Or is a nursing degree good anywhere??

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

You dont need experience, but to get a license there, you have to have one where you apply to take the test. In english that means, you have to pass boards first, then wait for the paperwork to go through so it shows you have an RN license not a GN, then apply for the license in WA. That can take long. Especially the getting the license in WA part.

My suggestion, get your permission to test, and apply to take the test in WA. You'll pass and have you license there already. I dont know how to go about this, but I am positive it can be done.........test in a different state than where you went to school.

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I thought about that....i just wasn't sure if you could. I just don't want to pay 300 some dollars to take the boards here and then take the boards there as well. I mean i guess i could just not take Wisconsin boards and do Washington boards.

THankyou for this information. It's a good idea to just take WA boards.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I thought about that....i just wasn't sure if you could. I just don't want to pay 300 some dollars to take the boards here and then take the boards there as well. I mean i guess i could just not take Wisconsin boards and do Washington boards.

THankyou for this information. It's a good idea to just take WA boards.

What part of WA?? I don't know the answer to your question but I am an ex washingtonian and was just curious :)

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

Yeah, I was a travel nurse in WA until a few weeks ago. I can tell you a few hospitals that are hiring if you do decide to go.

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Unless something has changed, you can take the test anywhere - it's a standardized national test. You can specify whatever state you want licensure in and apply for that state - regardless of where you physically take the test.

I, for instance, live in one state, took the test in the next state over for convenience, and applied for licensure in yet a third state that was not where I live nor took the test.

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Specializes in NICU.

All you have to do is go to the Washington Website...

http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing/forms.htm

Click on the link above and follow the directions for Registered Nurse License by examination. To get a WA license you also have to have HIV/AIDS training, and there is a list of places you can obtain it. There are some courses offered online, you just have to look through their list. I took it online and had no problems. Good Luck :D

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