possible license in two states

[Nessa CNA]

I currently have my CNA but would like to get my lpn. My question is can you take the NY & PA boards to be licensed in both states? The reason I ask is because i live close to the bradford PA border. I currently live in salamanca ny and the two hospitals for are area are each 1\2 hr apart. one in ny & one in pa. If this is possible it would tremedouslly help for job searching.

Also the program I am looking at is Cattaragus Allegany Boces. Does any one have any review of this program? The only offer a parttime program in the evenings so it would take 2 years, but does not have any preresiquites as i have already passed the entrance exam.

any help at all would be soo appreciated

[caliotter3]

Find out if both states are compact states. If so, you can get one license and can work in the second state with the other license. If not, you can obtain both licenses if you care to. You must be willing to keep paying the fees for as many licenses as you want to hold, for as long as you want the licenses to be active. I do believe, however, that you will probably need to provide an in-state address when you apply. You can get this info by calling the respective boards.

[Nessa CNA]

thanks it makes a little more sense now

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hello and Welcome to allnurses.com. Good having you with us.

My question is can you take the NY & PA boards to be licensed in both states?

You only take (and pass) one NCLEX (for PN or RN) and that is recognized in all 50 states, so you never have to take another state exam.

As pointed out by caliotter3, you can check to see if NY and PA have compact agreements here: http://www.usnursing.com/nurses_lic_announc.shtml

If either state (NY or PA) do not participate in the compact, you can still have a license in one state and endorse to another by following the licensure requirements in the state you wish to endorse.