Pennsylvania Compact State??

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Last time I looked into this there had not been any updates since I believe 2009 or something like that. How can we find out infomation on this or how to go about trying to have it submited into house for vote??? Last time I believe they refused it stating there was a large need for it and that only 4% of nurses from Pa worked in other states, becoming compact would cause more issues with difference in what is required by Pa verse other states and felt it would cause lower quality nurses?? Nurses without proper continued education/training, increase possibility to be at risk for multi investigations?? Does anyone have any updates or have any thoughts to add on this issue??? For me my husband travels for work and most of the states he goes too are compact states...so Pa jumping on board would be a blessing for me. Now to have to try to figure out where to start to get each state license and pay hundreds of dollars each time then the additional cost of renewals is just overwhelming.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

SB655 has one Republican and several Democratic Senators, most from 5 county Philadelphia, 1 Pittsburgh, 1 Lehigh and Northhampton counties as cosigneers.... need Senators to cosign from middle of state/rural areas or won't get passed.

Time to contact your legislators, link to locate legislator available here: https://www.pasen.gov/index.cfm

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Thank you...now can you tell me what is best to say or write to them. I want to do what ever will make the most impact and I have never contacted any before ?

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The www.ncsbn.org website is a great place to start looking for advice. Click on the "Take Action" tab in the "NLC" section and you will see a whole tutorial on what you can do to support the compact. You can use the provided letter template, or personalize your appeal with some of your own issues. I have had several different state licenses at the same time, and the large amount of paperwork involved in keeping up with these licenses has been a little overwhelming. Some travel nurses need spread sheets to help them complete all of their license renewal requirements. Also, non compact states all require different amounts of time to get a new license by endorsement. It is not acceptable to have to wait six months for a state license, when all of the paperwork has been submitted correctly.

It is always best to contact the legislator who actually represents you, as you may have voted for them. It is also a good idea to contact any legislators who are healthcare workers. Nurses and doctors in the legislature are strongly supporting the compact.

New Jersey just passed the compact. Because many New Jersey nurses actually work in Pennsylvania, this should help improve the likelihood that the compact will also get passed in Pennsylvania. As the baby boomer nurses retire, the need for licensed nurses will increase. Anything that makes it easier for nurses who live near the borders of two or more states, to work in two or more states is wonderful for the patients receiving care, the hospitals who need healthcare workers, and the nurses who need job flexibility.

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On 12/22/2018 at 3:12 PM, NRSKarenRN said:

Compact license is only good if you LIVE in the state of initial compact license and work in another state that is also a member of the compact.

Once one PERMANENTLY MOVES to a different state, you need to obtain that states license.

I've been involved in helping to pass changes in PA Nurse Practice Act over the years ---average is 4-6 years from getting a legislator to introduce a bill, to getting through PA House committees, PA legislature approval and governors signature. PA still has a very conservative legislature and medical mindset. Nursing schools produce more nursing graduates than starting positions available, so there is minimal interest in compact license.

Thank you so much for posting this. I have written a few articles / posts / rants / tantrums about how saturated the market is in PA, the lack of compact state licensing, and the lock out of ADNs in hospitals. It impossible to find work in nursing here, with or without a BSN.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Southeast PA counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia are the most saturated markets.

Plenty of work elsewhere: Allegheny Health Network, Western PA is even recruiting overseas as unable fill positions.

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