Should I look out of state for a job?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am a recent BSN graduate living in the Philadelphia area. It is tough to find a job without one year of experience here so I am considering various states where I have family living, such as IL, NC, FL, and WI. Is it a waste of time to apply for online jobs at hospitals which state, for example: "Must be in possession of a NC license?" If so, that suggests one must be firmly committed to moving to a specific area and proceed to apply for licensure there?

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note to Readers: The original answer had incorrect information on my part. The answer has been edited to reflect the residency requirements of a compact multistate license holder.

Many thanks to the astute readers below for bringing it to my attention.

Dear Looking Out of State,

For the most part, employers want RNs who are ready to work, including having the appropriate state licensure. But it never hurts to apply.

What you might consider doing is establishing residence in a compact state and applying for compact multistate licensure. A multistate license allows compact state residents to practice across state lines in other compact states. There are 24 compact states.

NC and Wisconsin are compact states. However, Florida is not, and Illinois is pending (but not yet a compact state).

A lot of nurses look out of state to land their first job. Good luck with your job search.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[chare]

I'm sorry, but this is not correct. You have to be a legal resident of a compact state to be issued a license with multi-state priviliges. The applicant in your scenario, living in PA, would only be issued a single state license from any NLC state as a non-resident.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

No what she'd have to do is move to compact state and declare residency. What does a PA resident get when they apply for a NC or VA nursing license online, in person or via mail? A nursing license that is only valid in that state. So they would have a PA and an NC license. The NC license is only valid to work in VA. If the PA nurse wanted to work in MD or VA s/he'd need another license.

This is clearly explained in the online FAQ for the NLC:

https://www.ncsbn.org/94.htm

[VANurse2010]

O Nurse Beth, you are O So Wrong about how the Nursing Licensure Compact works.

[FloridaBeagle]

OP: apply everywhere. I've had interviews in states where I didn't have their state license yet. The important thing is just to have a license somewhere. It's just a matter of some paperwork and a fee to get a new one (except some states like NY want some particular online classes...)

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Thank you much for your replies and giving the right information. You guys are awesome.

The original answer has been edited with a correction about needing residency in a compact state to qualify for a multistate license.

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Thank you, chare Got it :)

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Thanks justbeachynurse for the explanation and the link :)

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

It's the sign of a true professional that can accept correction. No one knows everything and everyone always has something to learn.

[Sirena922]

So are you saying you can be licensed in more than 1 state? I live in Michigan and they are not a compact state, can I get a license lets say Ohio? I just need clarity.

Thanks

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

If you are willing to pay for the license and meet requirements of a particular states licensure (basic education and CEUs), then you can have license to practice anywhere you wish. Just contact that particular BON with any questions of concerns, starting with their website

[Sirena922]

Thank you RNinIN