So depressed

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

I would like to know what would be the best course for me in getting my Compact license. I was initially licensed in Alabama as RN but could not find a job there. I ended up back in Florida and received my Florida License. I am looking for an opportunity to do travel nursing. Do you have any input on my chances of getting a compact license from Alabama? Thank you.

Dear Depressed,

I'm sorry the first job did not work out. If you are still in the new grad window (1 year from graduation), keep applying to residencies. Can you re-locate? If you can, it's worth it to get your first 2 years of experience. There are areas in the country that are hiring new grads into residencies, it's just that the demand is regional.

What are your classmates doing? Contact everyone you know and let them know you are looking. Ask those who are employed to put in a good word for you. Reach out to your old nursing instructors, and contact managers where you did a clinical rotation. I talk about how to do a cold-call in my book below. It's a good strategy when you have little to lose and a lot to gain ?

Don't go into Home Health as a new grad. You are just not ready to practice independently yet and you have no basis for comparison of patient's conditions. 

Your strategy of going back to an MA job has advantages and disadvantages. Definitely, you'd have an insider advantage if they hire new grads, but you'd want to make sure there's at least some chance of that ahead. Some urgent care centers hire only experienced nurses.

The most important consideration is the one-year timeline, and applying all your energies into landing a job where you will get the support and training you need. 

Keep the faith, so often that job comes just when you least expect it.

 Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[Epidural, BSN, RN]

Florida and Alabama are both compact states. Check the Florida Board of Nursing website to see if your license is a single state or a compact one. If it is a single state license, let the BON know that you are a Florida resident and would like a Florida Compact License. Once that license becomes compact (if it isn't already), you will automatically be able to take a travel assignment in Alabama. Good Luck!⭐