The Frustration of Getting Licensed

RN/WI, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 12, 2021

I just started the process. Passed boards Wednesday. Filled out state application today. I am trying to follow the process. I guess I may not be far enough yet in the process. What license do we need for an MD to collaborate with....?

CarolinaRN0501, MSN, NP · Feb 13, 2021

Congrats on passing boards!

And it's for your APRN license but only in certain states-states that have restricted practice basically. Some states will not give you a license (but will let you become "registered"...) or they will license you but you cannot practice until you have a collaborating or supervising physician.

You should look into your Nurse Practice Act and see what restrictions your state has. You can also do a quick Google to see if your state has full practice authority or restricted practice authority. The states with restricted practice authority BON will have a form you have to fill out with the physician's name, practice site, license number, and contact information.

RN/WI, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Feb 13, 2021

Thank you! I am glad the exam is behind me, but it looks as though there is much more paperwork and red tape to go through, along with fees. I see, I am in Wisconsin which is a "yellow" state. Not "red", but not "green", either. WOW, I did not realize the restricted states limit us so much. I wonder how Locums get past this restriction when on assignment? Interesting how each state is different.

DrCOVID, DNP · Feb 14, 2021

It is my understanding, even if you are in an IP state, you still need some collaborator to work on your own... But anyway, I think the best thing is find mentorship with other NPs that have been in practice while you are in school and do networking events (I did more pre-covid). I was able to meet many people through pharm sponsored dinners. I know this is harder now, but that is what happened to me. Even then, especially in psychiatry, there are fewer MDs and several of the ones I know are fully maxed delegating to 7 here in TX.

Through my connections of NPs and people I did clinic with in school, I was able to find 2 possible collaborators. But getting them to do what I need is another story LOL...

sleepwalker, MSN, NP · Feb 15, 2021

I just saw an ad for a service that will locate a collaborator for you in your state. Trouble is I don't remember the name or where I saw the ad...worth a Google search though

Neuro Guy NP, DNP, PhD, APRN · Feb 15, 2021

On 2/14/2021 at 10:04 AM, DrCOVID said:

It is my understanding, even if you are in an IP state, you still need some collaborator to work on your own... But anyway, I think the best thing is find mentorship with other NPs that have been in practice while you are in school and do networking events (I did more pre-covid). I was able to meet many people through pharm sponsored dinners. I know this is harder now, but that is what happened to me. Even then, especially in psychiatry, there are fewer MDs and several of the ones I know are fully maxed delegating to 7 here in TX.

Through my connections of NPs and people I did clinic with in school, I was able to find 2 possible collaborators. But getting them to do what I need is another story LOL...

No, in full practice states you do not need a collaborator, or else it wouldn't be a full practice state. States like Delaware, Connecticut and several others allow an NP to practice without any requirement for a collaborator. It doesn't mean collaboration doesn't happen - all professionals do it at some point - we just don't have some mumbo jumbo that ties our hands unnecessarily.

On 2/11/2021 at 3:50 PM, CarolinaRN0501 said:

So you've gone through graduate school, passed certification, gotten registered in your state as an APRN but can't get licensed because you can't find a physician collaborator. And you can't get a physician collaborator because jobs either will not look at you due to 1) you're a new grad

and/or

2) you don't have a license

And around and around we go. Has anyone else gone through this frustration and if so-any tips? As expected, it's very off putting going through the job hunt.

This doesn't seem like it should be an issue. Get hired at a job and whomever hires you will provide you a collaborative physician. You will use his or her name to get your license. I suppose it's different if you're striking out on your own, but I don’t recommend that straight out of school.

CarolinaRN0501, MSN, NP · Feb 17, 2021

I wish I had had the opportunity to network-there was an opportunity at a conference being held near my school but it was canceled due to COVID. Can’t focus on the what if’s though.

On 2/15/2021 at 6:38 PM, Neuro Guy NP said:

No, in full practice states you do not need a collaborator, or else it wouldn't be a full practice state. States like Delaware, Connecticut and several others allow an NP to practice without any requirement for a collaborator. It doesn't mean collaboration doesn't happen - all professionals do it at some point - we just don't have some mumbo jumbo that ties our hands unnecessarily.

This doesn't seem like it should be an issue. Get hired at a job and whomever hires you will provide you a collaborative physician. You will use his or her name to get your license. I suppose it's different if you're striking out on your own, but I don’t recommend that straight out of school.

Trust me, I am not striking out on my own haha. Major props to NPs who run their own business, though! I’ve applied to several family practice offices associated with the hospital I work for. And several other offices outside of the system as well. Naturally, a lot of the offices have a hiring freeze due to COVID so my options are very limited (most places are contract POCT which is fine). The frustration comes when you do have a recruiter call back and then basically hang up on you when you attempt to explain the licensure situation. “New grad friendly!” But they don’t add the fine print of they don’t help with this.

On 2/15/2021 at 11:34 AM, sleepwalker said:

I just saw an ad for a service that will locate a collaborator for you in your state. Trouble is I don't remember the name or where I saw the ad...worth a Google search though

We must have seen the same add! I’ve reached out to them already and received a response. If I can ask, I have an idea of what I want from a collaboration but are there certain things I need to be asking for? The company says they go by the boards of each individual state in making agreements.