Strange Licensing Question

I have been currently living in Western NC for the last several years. I am returning to Virginia (in the process of selling my home now) to start school in the Spring to hopefully be admitted to the ADN program in Fall of 2007.

So when I receive my ADN, I'll be living in VA.

I will be getting my BSN at a University in TN that was my alma mater, the reasons for this is long and complicated, but this will be the best option for me in regards to getting the degree quickly. Because it's an RN to BSN, I have to actually have my RN first.

THEN, I am planning on moving back to Western NC when I am finished with my BSN.

My question is: What route do I need to take for licensing, because when I am in TN getting my RN to BSN, I'll be working full time and attending their part-time/weekend program.

THANKS!

So when you get your ADN, you will be living in VA.

How long will you be there before going to TN to get your BSN?

The bottom line is this: What state will you be working in as an RN after finishing your ADN? That is the state where you want to apply for initial licensure.

You can get a NC license after you finish school in TN, but you need alicense in the state you will be working in (which sounds like TN).

Unless you are planning to stay in VA for a while after getting your ADN , don't bother VA for licensure.

So when you get your ADN, you will be living in VA.

How long will you be there before going to TN to get your BSN?

The bottom line is this: What state will you be working in as an RN after finishing your ADN? That is the state where you want to apply for initial licensure.

You can get a NC license after you finish school in TN, but you need alicense in the state you will be working in (which sounds like TN).

Unless you are planning to stay in VA for a while after getting your ADN , don't bother VA for licensure.

Yes, when I get my ADN I will be living in Virginia, but I am assuming Virginia will be the only place I can take my state boards, b/c that is where I would receive my ADN.

I'll only be in VA until I can get through the state boards and then I'm moving to TN to get my BSN. The hospital there offers tuition reimbursement after 6 months, so then it will be a 15 month part-time program unless I can swing the finances to do it full time. The only additional pre-req that they have that my ADN doesn't cover is probability and statistics but I can take this prior to admission through distance learning..

TN, VA, and NC (along with other states) I think have this multi-state license agreement thing, from what I could gather on the boards.

Yes, when I get my ADN I will be living in Virginia, but I am assuming Virginia will be the only place I can take my state boards, b/c that is where I would receive my ADN.

You are NOT limited to taking boards in VA. You can take NCLEX for any state you wish, regardless of where you live or attended school.

TN, VA, and NC (along with other states) I think have this multi-state license agreement thing, from what I could gather on the boards.

The multistate licensure compact allows nurses who live and are licensed in one compact state to cross state lines to work in another compact state, or work as a travel nurse in another participating state without obtaining a second license. However, you must obtain licensure in the state of your legal residence. For example, if you pass boards and apply for a VA license, you could work as a travel nurse in TN without obtaining a TN license. But, if you move to TN to work and attend school, you must obtain a TN license.

But I would take my state boards in Virginia, right? And then apply to TN for licensure?

That would make things easier, b/c that is where I'm planning to get my first job upon passing when I'm done with school.

Thanks for explaining the MS compact, I didn't fully understand it when I read it.

I know this sounds crazy, but that is the "benefit" of living in border states.

You don't have to take your boards in Virginia. You can move to TN as soon as school ends and take your boards their. This way you are not paying for a VA, TN and a NC license. I think this is what you are asking about.:nuke:

But I would take my state boards in Virginia, right? And then apply to TN for licensure?

You can take your boards anywhere you like. If you want to remain in VA long enough to take NCLEX, then apply for a TN license that is fine. You can also move to TN, then take NCLEX, then apply for a TN license. It does not matter where you are physically located when you take the exam. The results can be applied to a license in any state, so long as you complete the paperwork correctly.

Good luck!

Is the exam the same in all states? Sorry for all of the questions.

I was thinking it would be better if I was getting my ADN in VA that it was geared toward the VA NCLEX, let me know if my assumption is wrong.

The NCLEX I took in NC is the same as in California which is the same as in Virginia which is the same as in Maine...ad infinitum.

It doesn't matter which state you're in...the test questions all come from the same test bank.

Ah! Ok, that solves the mystery for me!

Thanks everyone for all of your advice!