Do I need a Texas License before they'll even consider me?

U.S.A. Texas

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Hi there,

I'm a sort of new grad licensed in California. I've been looking for a hospital job, but no bites yet here (California is so hard right now!). Anyway, I applied for a license in Florida because a friend out there told me he could get me a job at a hospital over there, but it's been about 2 months now, so I think that is not going to happen.

I've been looking into Texas and Arizona now, but now I'm starting to worry about the costs of all these licenses! If I knew that I'd have a very very good chance of getting hired in Texas, I would go ahead and spend the money. But spending the money and not getting a job in that state is not a very good investment. Plus, having all these licenses means I need to endorse all of them, and the costs add up for that too.

So, do I really need to get a license first before they'll even consider hiring me?

All the places that I looked into in Arizona all told me straight out to get an Arizona license first.

Texas and Arizona are both part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. I'm pretty sure you cannot endorse to either state without being a resident of the state first.This website has some good info explaining the compact: https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

I am in the process applying to test for licensure in Texas and I had to declare Texas my state of residence and permanent address on my application. (I lived in another state prior to applying and waited until I moved to apply). My conversations with the BON in TX verified that you need a Texas address for your application to test.

I am not positive it is the same for endorsing, but I would assume so. TX BON has always been helpful when I called, you can find the number on their website: Texas Board of Nursing

It's worth calling to ask before looking further into jobs, etc, just so you know what you are getting into. Calling HR at hospitals you are interested in in TX may also be helpful, but I would go by what TX BON says first.

Good luck! =)

I'm not asking about how to get a license. I just wanted to know if hospitals would consider hiring me before I get a Texas license.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Probably not because they have plenty of candidates that are licensed. Unless you have some special prior to nursing school experience that would set you apart.....

Before the glut and recession they would have, but things are very different now.

Texas and Arizona are both part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. I'm pretty sure you cannot endorse to either state without being a resident of the state first.This website has some good info explaining the compact: https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc.htm

I

 am in the process applying to test for licensure in Texas and I had to declare Texas my state of residence and permanent address on my application. (I lived in another state prior to applying and waited until I moved to apply). My conversations with the BON in TX verified that you need a Texas address for your application to test.

This is not correct. You do not need to be a resident of a compact state to apply for licensure; either initial licensure or licensure by endorsement. If you apply for licensure and are not a resident, you will be issued a single state license in that state only.

You do, however, need to be a resident of a compact state for your license to grant multi-state priviliege.

I'm not asking about how to get a license. I just wanted to know if hospitals would consider hiring me before I get a Texas license.

It's' possible depending upon the facility's needs. If you don't apply, you know what the answer will be.

As you should receive your temporary license fairly quickly when you apply for licensure, you should have ample time to apply for after you have been offered a position.

Good luck in your job search.

Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I actually came to Texas from AZ 9.5 years ago. Once you have moved here (if you have lic. plates from TX) then you can apply for a temp license. It is only good though for 30 days. I had to call the BON multiple times and beg, plead, and cry to get my permanent license at the end of that 30 days. I almost didn't and would have had to stop working. You can maintain both licenses if you wish, but if you live in TX then that one is primary.

Anyway, back to your subject. Are you wanting DFW area? Do you need the names of hospitals with new grad programs?

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

With the surplus of new grads these days, it is unlikely that any employer in an urban area will consider anyone who is not 'good to go'. This may not be the case in rural areas or smaller cities - where new grads are not so plentiful.

You are partially correct- I didn't take into consideration that the OP was applying from a non-compact state. I misunderstood.

But I was correct regarding initial licensure for new graduates. If you are currently a resident of a compact state, you can only apply for initial licensure in the state you declare residency in- as in the one you hold a drivers license, legal address, etc.

Per the NCSBN website: I am graduating from a nursing program this year. Can I take the NCLEX® in a different state?The NCLEX® can be taken in any jurisdiction. However, graduates applying for a license who legally reside in a compact state can only apply to their home state board of nursing. This means that the applicant cannot apply for a compact license in a compact state other than the one in which he/she is declaring as their primary state of residence."

https://www.ncsbn.org/2002.htm

This is also what the TBON told me when I spoke with them prior to applying.

I'm sorry if I caused confusion. My intention was to provide some resources for the OP to investigate prior to deciding to take the time applying.

Specializes in NICU.

I was hired in Texas before I had a Texas nursing license. I had a North Dakota license, which is part of the compact states. Texas didn't call me until I had a Texas address on my resume though.

I just called the Texas BON last week because I'm relocating from Iowa which is a compact state. They told me I could work on my Iowa license for 90 days while I get my stuff in order for my Texas endorsement. They said that if you are in a compact state, your current license should already grant you multistate privileges so you just have to apply to that state once you get there. I still think as far as job hunting goes, you always have a better chance once you have an address in that current city/state.

I'm from Texas and worked in a real "training grounds" type of hospital as a new grad. There were several new grads in my group from other states that didn't have Texas licenses, yet. As a Texas resident, I was told that I had to have a license in hand before starting orientation.

I worked with several new grad nurses from California who couldn't find work in California. Ironically, I live and work in California, now.

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