NCLEX exam

jlr820 · Feb 18, 2010

I think that you will have to choose a state to be licensed in. During the registration process for the NCLEX, you will be asked which state you are licensing in (so that the testing company will know which state to release the results to). You would need to contact the board of nursing for the specific state regarding their licensure procedures. I am not aware of an option that allows you to choose all states for licensure. As for a prep book, there are several on the market. I used Prentice Hall's Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN by Mary Ann Hogan. Others have used the Saunders NCLEX-RN book by Linda Silvestri. Both are available through Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com

elkpark · Feb 18, 2010

You definitely have to choose a specific state -- there is no such thing as registering "to write the NCLEX exam"; you are appplying for licensure in a particular state, and that state authorizes you to write the NCLEX as (one) part of the licensure process. You can't get authorization to write the NCLEX until you've submitted an application for licensure to the state of your choice.

You can check the Board of Nursing website for the state(s) you are interested in, and all the information and forms for applying for licensure "by examination" (that's what you're looking for) will be there. Even though you are a US citizen, because you went to school in Canada, you are (and always will be, for your entire career, by all US states) considered a "foreign graduate," so be sure to look for the instructions for foreign graduates -- there are some extra requirements and hoops to jump through.

As jlr820 already noted, there are tons of study materials for the NCLEX available.

There are links here (under the "Need Help" heading at the bottom of every page) to all the US state Boards of Nursing.

Best wishes for your journey!

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2010

I'd start with the https://allnurses.com/boards-of-nursing-info.html link for a list of all the Boards of Nursing and apply for a license in the state you will be moving to.

If you end up with a license in one state and end up moving to another, you can always apply for a license in the new state by endorsement, but it's best to get licensed in the state you want to work in.

Alonna RN · Feb 19, 2010

Thanks so much for all the comments, I will get a book and start studying. It's been awhile since I wrote the exam here :) Thanks again!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 19, 2010

Moved to the International forum

As mentioned you are not applying for NCLEX but licensure to be a RN in the US as also as mentioned you need to check each state and see what there requirements are for foreign trained nurse. Also be aware that you may want to consider which state you plan on living and working as just going to one state because it is quicker or easier doesn't mean you save any time as the state you plan on working in may still require you to meet their requirements even if you have a licence in another state.

Regarding studying for the NCLEX exam I would recommend you check out the NCLEX forum found under the student tab above

itsmejuli · Feb 21, 2010

I'll make you a deal AlonnaRN, I'll swap my Florida LPN license for your Alberta RN license and job. LOL I'm a Canadian citizen and US permanent resident, I want to go back to Alberta, my family including my kids will soon all be there.

If you can wait another 18 months I'll have my Florida RN license.

JAS2000 · Feb 23, 2010

Allona, you're in luck if you move to one of these states because they a part of a multi-state licensure compact. Which means if you hold a license in one of them your license is also good for all the other states:

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennesee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.

If you have no idea where you will be moving, I would start with one of these states!

Good Luck,

~Jennifer

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 23, 2010

Remember though to be part of a compact state you meet to have a permanent residence in the state you have your license and maintain it. If you sell up and move to another state that is in the compact list you still have to meet their requirements and obatin a license.

For example permanent residence in AZ state with AZ state RN license and get a job in Iowa but keep permanent residence in AZ can use AZ nurse license in Iowa.

Have AZ license and residence but sell residence in AZ to move to Iowa you have to apply to Iowa state board and meet their endorsing requirements and obtain a license in Iowa allowing you to move

bscn_rn_10_years · May 18, 2010

I also work in Alberta and I am in the process of getting my Arizona license - man what an ordeal that is.....I wrote and passed the NCLEX (thank god) but I feel that that was the easy part.!!! Working in Alberta is difficult during this uncertain time- and all those from Alberta Canada - understand what I am saying- talk about working for those who could care less about the people or the employees- although it would help if he was actually from Canada or came from a similar health care system.... enough of the venting- I hear that RN's are leaving or hoping to leave in large quantities either to the States or other provinces... Anywho ...

I totally agree with everyone, get a license thru a compact state it will be much easier on you to get another license in another state. I myself did not know the hassle involved in going from non compact to compact state- and applied in Michigan as my initial licensure......not a good idea.....it will be months before my license goes thru all the hoops..and then finally comes to me...Good luck with the NCLEX and the move..

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 18, 2010

I also work in Alberta and I am in the process of getting my Arizona license - man what an ordeal that is.....I wrote and passed the NCLEX (thank god) but I feel that that was the easy part.!!! Working in Alberta is difficult during this uncertain time- and all those from Alberta Canada - understand what I am saying- talk about working for those who could care less about the people or the employees- although it would help if he was actually from Canada or came from a similar health care system.... enough of the venting- I hear that RN's are leaving or hoping to leave in large quantities either to the States or other provinces... Anywho ...
I totally agree with everyone, get a license thru a compact state it will be much easier on you to get another license in another state. I myself did not know the hassle involved in going from non compact to compact state- and applied in Michigan as my initial licensure......not a good idea.....it will be months before my license goes thru all the hoops..and then finally comes to me...Good luck with the NCLEX and the move..

Honestly getting a compact license means nothing if you do not already have a permanent residence in a compact state. Compact state license only works when you have a permanent residence in one state but want to work in another. If you sell or cancel rental in one compact state and move to another state that is on the compact list you still have to register for a license in that state.

Example. You have a license in AZ and a permanent residence in AZ but get a job in NM and keep your permanent residence in AZ you can use the compact license however if you decide to leave AZ and move to NM so sell or cancel rental agreement in AZ then you have to apply to NM for a license and meet requirements

elkpark · May 18, 2010

I totally agree with everyone, get a license thru a compact state it will be much easier on you to get another license in another state. I myself did not know the hassle involved in going from non compact to compact state- and applied in Michigan as my initial licensure......not a good idea.....it will be months before my license goes thru all the hoops..and then finally comes to me...Good luck with the NCLEX and the move..

Silverdragon is correct that there is no particular benefit to applying for licensure in a compact state unless you are a permanent resident of that state. If you apply for licensure in a compact state but don't live in the state, you will get a license, but it will be a regular, traditional license that does not have "compact privileges" and will not be recognized by any other compact state.

The NLC (Nurse Licensure Compact) really doesn't affect a nurse unless s/he resides permanently in a compact state. It means nothing to most nurses, unless they happen to 1) do travel nursing or 2) live in a compact state near the border of one or more other compact states (e.g., I live on the border of one compact state and work across the state line in the neighboring compact state with my "home" license -- however, if I moved across the border to the state in which I currently work, I would have to apply for licensure in the new state).

There is always time, paperwork, and expense involved in applying for licensure in a new state. However, the NLC has v. specific conditions and requirements attached to it and isn't some kind of shortcut to avoid that. Apart from the ability to use a compact license to work in other compact states, I'm not aware that the compact makes it any easier to get licensed in other compact or non-compact states if you need to do that -- each state's application process is the same regardless of what US state you're coming from.