Travel Nursing Question (compact vs non compact)

[Aliens05, ASN]

Hello all,

I just have a quick question regarding travel nursing. I have done some research on it and I believe I have found the answer, but some websites with the answer have a lot of grey area, so I wanted to ask people who have actual experience and knowledge.

As a travel nurse in a compact state, you don't qualify to travel to non-compact states do you? What would you need to do as a nurse in a compact state in order to do travel nursing in say California? Would you just need to obtain the CA license, or do you have to meet additional schooling/take CA NCLEX exam etc?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Travel Nursing.

[mtnNurse., BSN]

1 hour ago, Aliens05 said:

As a travel nurse in a compact state, you don't qualify to travel to non-compact states do you?

No, for non-compact states you have to get a license in those states. With your compact state license you can only work in other compact states.

1 hour ago, Aliens05 said:

What would you need to do as a nurse in a compact state in order to do travel nursing in say California? Would you just need to obtain the CA license, or do you have to meet additional schooling/take CA NCLEX exam etc? 

You'd have to get a CA nursing license which would not require taking the NCLEX again. Just google CA board of nursing and look up how to get a license.

[NedRN]

California and New York have the highest education standards and certainly with California, they sometimes require additional credit for candidates from certain states or schools. We hear about it from time to time, especially from Canadians. In any case, California sometimes requires extra time, apply early. In many/most states, the time for licensure by reciprocity can be gotten after you interview and accept the assignment. In California, hospitals won't accept candidates not already holding a California license, at least the temp.