RN license in more than one state...

[inProgress]

I am about to graduate in a few months and want to put in application out in SW Florida and in the Chicago area but most hospitals wont even take the app without their state's license active. I live in FL now and have heard that I can ask my school to apply for IL license when I test instead of FL but can I get both??

[shanyone]

You can definitely get both (I hold two). Have your school license you in FL and then apply to IL after you get your FL license. You can always do the opposite too. But you have to get your license in one state before you can get it in all the rest. Then you just have to jump through the hoops the individual state requires to gain their license :)

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Could you please explain how the school is involved in obtaining a nurse's license? Other then the person getting their transcripts from the school I haven't heard about schools applying for students; this is a new one for me and like to stay abreast of things that go on.

Thank you,

[Orange Tree]

The school has to send an affidavit to the board of nursing that says you graduated from that nursing program. You can't get an authorization to test (for NCLEX) until the school completes that action.

[elkpark]

You can definitely get both (I hold two). Have your school license you in FL and then apply to IL after you get your FL license. You can always do the opposite too. But you have to get your license in one state before you can get it in all the rest. Then you just have to jump through the hoops the individual state requires to gain their license :)

The school has to send an affidavit to the board of nursing that says you graduated from that nursing program. You can't get an authorization to test (for NCLEX) until the school completes that action.

"Your school" doesn't "license you" -- each individual new graduate applies to the BON for licensure all by him- or herself, just like a real grownup, and the school sends transcripts or whatever other paperwork is required when requested (by the individual applicant), as the school will continue to do throughout your career. The school sending the documentation to the BON does not, by itself, get you an ATT -- the individual applicant still has to apply and complete all the other application requirements. The documentation from the school is just one piece of that.

It is true that you can't apply for two licenses at the same time -- OP, you will have to choose one or the other, and then apply for licensure by endorsement in the other state once you have the first license in hand. It's usually simplest to get licensed in the state in which you went to school (the BON is accustomed to dealing with your school, and vice versa), so it might work best to initially apply in FL and then apply for an IL license.