New BSN grad & wanting to move to another compact state

[Easy Peezie, BSN, RN]

Hi there!

I was hoping someone could clarify some confusion I have. I graduate with my BSN in September in Florida (compact state) but want to move to Arizona (another compact state) to start my career. I understand that I need to apply for licensure by examination through the Arizona Board of Nursing. My question is what do I select for this portion of the application (see attached image)?

I do not currently or will not hold a FL license, so therefore I do not qualify for a multi-state license...correct? And will I have an Arizona license as soon as my test results are processed since I applied directly to that state (despite not being a resident there yet), or do I need to wait until I move and provide proof of Arizona residency?...and if I have to wait for them to process my proof of residency, how long does this take?

Anyway, thanks for reading about my situation, LOL. I would love if anyone could help

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

You can get a license in any state you choose, regardless that you do not currently live in that state. Many travel nurses have active licenses in several states to allow them to work contracts in many states.

If you are definitively moving to AZ, then apply for license by exam. When they issue you a license, it will be a single state license until you physically move to AZ. Then you can convert it to a multi-state license.

I would pick option 2. I would interpret Option 1 to be a person that currently holds a Florida License and is moving to AZ.

If you are moving to AZ and your intent is to only work in AZ, the multi-state license is not relevant to you until you get experience and choose to do travel nursing.

[chare]

What state are you a legal resident of?

[Easy Peezie, BSN, RN]

1 minute ago, chare said:

What state are you a legal resident of?

Florida !

[chare]

If you are a legal resident of FL and were to apply for licensure there, that license should grant you multi- state privileges.  Based on this, if it were me, I would choose the first option.

Best wishes.

[Easy Peezie, BSN, RN]

39 minutes ago, NICU Guy said:

You can get a license in any state you choose, regardless that you do not currently live in that state. Many travel nurses have active licenses in several states to allow them to work contracts in many states.

If you are definitively moving to AZ, then apply for license by exam. When they issue you a license, it will be a single state license until you physically move to AZ. Then you can convert it to a multi-state license.

I would pick option 2. I would interpret Option 1 to be a person that currently holds a Florida License and is moving to AZ.

If you are moving to AZ and your intent is to only work in AZ, the multi-state license is not relevant to you until you get experience and choose to do travel nursing.

Thank you! 

However, I looked into more of the application and this information was included: 

My current PSOR would be another compact state until I move. This puts me in a tricky situation since I wouldn't be able to move until closer till my start date and risking me not having a license in time. I am wondering if I should get a FL license and upgrade it to the multi-state one to spare me risking it. 

[SmilingBluEyes]

If both states are compact, then you should apply and secure the upgraded license now. Make sure this would work. Otherwise, get the Arizona license as soon as you can.

Good luck.

I live in a non-compact state so I am not too smart about these things.

[chare]

Based on my understanding of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), if you are a legal resident of any eNLC state, if you obtain your initial licensure after implementation, your license will grant multi-state privileges.  Applying for multi-state privileges pertains to those that were licensed prior to implementation.  If this is accurate, applying for initial licensure in FL might be your best option.  However, this adds the expense of obtaining a license that you don't need.

As you still have time, have you considered emailing the AZ BON  for clarification?

[Easy Peezie, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately I know people who have gotten their license in Florida since implementation and it is single state license only ?

And yes! I have emailed AZ BON but I am impatient and asking on here too haha. Thankfully I do have time to figure out my best way to go about this. 

[Epidural, BSN, RN]

Here is my suggestion:

• Get a Florida compact license ( you are currently a resident of Florida and do not have an Arizona job yet)
• Submit an "upgrade application" to get a Florida compact license (Florida licenses are not automatically compact unless you submit the proper paperwork: fingerprint livescan with criminal background check, etc.)
• Once you pass your boards, you should get a Florida  compact license in about 7-10 days
• When you move to Arizona with your active Florida compact license, you can work using this license (both states are compact), as long as you immediately apply for an Arizona license,if you are making Arizona your new permanent residence.

This will cover you if you change your mind and decide to work in Florida, and will allow you to apply for Arizona jobs while you are still living in Florida. 

When you plan to leave your Florida residence (student housing-living with family-apartment lease-selling a house-living with a friend-definitely moving to Arizona because your partner got a job there, etc.) is also a huge part of the plan. Sorry-don't know any of this information.

Good Luck!

[Easy Peezie, BSN, RN]

18 minutes ago, Epidural said:

Here is my suggestion:

• Get a Florida compact license ( you are currently a resident of Florida and do not have an Arizona job yet)
• Submit an "upgrade application" to get a Florida compact license (Florida licenses are not automatically compact unless you submit the proper paperwork: fingerprint livescan with criminal background check, etc.)
• Once you pass your boards, you should get a Florida  compact license in about 7-10 days
• When you move to Arizona with your active Florida compact license, you can work using this license (both states are compact), as long as you immediately apply for an Arizona license,if you are making Arizona your new permanent residence.

This will cover you if you change your mind and decide to work in Florida, and will allow you to apply for Arizona jobs while you are still living in Florida. 

When you plan to leave your Florida residence (student housing-living with family-apartment lease-selling a house-living with a friend-definitely moving to Arizona because your partner got a job there, etc.) is also a huge part of the plan. Sorry-don't know any of this information.

Good Luck!

Thank you!

This is how I figured I would need to go about it but was wondering if there was anyway I could spare myself the extra expenses. It’s interesting to see most resources say apply directly to that state after school, but I guess that makes sense if you are planning on moving well in advance before any potential job start date.

[Epidural, BSN, RN]

You're welcome! ?