new hire paperwork

[shanon0403]

I was hired to begin travel nursing 3 weeks ago. I had to get a Kansas license though. The out of pocket expense when I don't have an income plus all the running around is ridiculous.

When you take the ncclex they do the national background check. If you get in legal trouble you lose your license. I don't understand why this has been so difficult. I think it's more difficult than when I got my license the first time.

Will I have to do this every state or just the ones not in the compact?

Is there a travel nursing license you can get? If not can we form a committee to get one?

It's not like saving a life will be any different in one state than the other.

I'm so frustrated! !! I just want to get back to work.

[MsConstrued]

You have to do it every time and depending on the company you have tons more paperwork to complete more than just the license. I found Cross Country to have the most unreasonable paperwork requirements. I wouldn't go with them again if I was a new hire. If they start making me run around to get things notarized and faxed to them or overnighted, I will simply decline the position.

[NedRN]

Why don't you have a job?

Yes, life is unfair. Nursing licenses are state by state and that is not going to change except by state to state agreements such as the compact. Every state has the right to set what is required to get a license and most require a background check. NCLEX does not require anything more than the state whose license you applied for when you signed up for it, it was the BON's requirements you were fulfilling not NCLEX.

Most hospitals require a background check, drug screen, and additional information for travel nurses to come work for them. It is not the agency. The agency is just giving the hospital what they want.

You are not going to win this battle. The federal government has no more direct control over nursing licenses and licensure requirements than they do for driver's licenses and they never will. State's rights.