Two Questions.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 23, 2008

I practice in IL and I have an RN license, an advanced practice license, and a DEA license. Good question - I just assumed this was the norm and I may be wrong. I appreciate the info.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 23, 2008

In my state, required RN and APN license.

jer_sd · Jan 23, 2008

I keep my colorado license, they require you to have a RN then apply to be listed on the advance practice registry. You still need state approval to be a NP there. I think that in every state you need to apply for advanced practice even if you only have an endorsement rather than a seperate license. I have NP credentials in California, Idaho and Colorado so I am limited in experience.

I looked into locums a few years ago never tried it out but still think about it for short term placements. Might be similar to traveling RNs and a fun way to burn up some vacation at my full time job.

Jeremy

core0 · Jan 24, 2008

Question #1. Unless I'm missing something, do some states require a separate lic. to practice as an NP, but some just require your RN lic., but of course a degree from MSN/NP? Some posts on this site have confused me. I do not have two different lic. I do have a provider number which I had to apply for during the brief time I did practice as NP.
Question #2. Have any of you had experience with Locum Tenens? I have a couple recruiters calling me, but I'm a bit afraid to respond. Any help re these two issues would be appreciated. Thanks:)

#2 there was an interesting thread about this on SDN. It brought up an issue that I never considered. With an RN license they usually just check that you have a valid license. However, an NP (like a physician) has to be credentialled. Credentialling involves the new hospital contacting the credentialling departments of every hospital you have ever practiced at and asking if you were a good person and left in good standing. When I did my first credentialling as a new grad it took less than three weeks. My second go round took more than two months as they had to contact eight hospitals that I had privileges at. Fortunately seven of eight belonged to larger organizations that had central credentialling which saved time. Now I have two more hospitals added to the list. I cannot imagine how hard it would be for someone that had done a lot of locums to get credentialled. Most smaller hospitals that really need a provider will "fast track" these but larger hospitals will not. All it takes is one hospital to not respond and the whole process stops. Not necessarily are reason not to do locums, but something to think about.

David Carpenter, PA-C

Trauma Columnist · Jan 25, 2008

David brings up a good point. Currently, I'm credentialled at 5 hospitals, only two of which are in the same organization. It is a nightmare - took 8 months!

nurseaboveboard · Jan 25, 2008

Yikes! Thanks everyone, but now you've kind of frightened me! I scare easy:). I was not required to do any of this that I know of. I do not recall applying for any endorsement, just had to show my lic. and MS diploma. They had me apply for the provider ID during orientation. I'm not practicing as NP right now, and when I was, it was in a clinic situation. I had no hosp. priv. This all makes me a bit nervous.

core0 · Jan 25, 2008

Yikes! Thanks everyone, but now you've kind of frightened me! I scare easy:). I was not required to do any of this that I know of. I do not recall applying for any endorsement, just had to show my lic. and MS diploma. They had me apply for the provider ID during orientation. I'm not practicing as NP right now, and when I was, it was in a clinic situation. I had no hosp. priv. This all makes me a bit nervous.

Its not something to dwell on but you have to be aware of it. A lot of hospital managers don't understand hospital privileging. Just like state law its your responsibility to make sure you are practicing within them. I added another two hospitals to the list and I am sure there will be more along the way.

David Carpenter, PA-C

DaisyRN, ACNP · Feb 3, 2008

"credentialing"=hell. *lol* i am in the midst of being credentialed at 3 hospitals. lord have mercy... it is taking forever. i turned in all the paperwork in december. one hospital said they probably wouldn't even be able to look at my application until april. april!! another one said that i could have my supervising physician write a request for interim privileges which they will consider in the first meeting on feb. 13th and re-evaluate on feb. 26th. so yes, no one gets in a hurry in the credentialing process. especially if you have not been certified yet... even for a probational status. hopefully all that will be over this wednesday (after my test)! :)

as for the licensing... in texas, you just work off of your rn license, but receive apn recognition and a stamp/sticker for your rn license.

sailornurse · Feb 8, 2008

In New Mexico, you have to return your RN license when you first get your NP. They send you a new license with your original RN number but they add Certified Nurse Practitioner to it.

It took me 8 months to get credentialed at one local hospital. Yup, no one is a hurry!! I did not realize some type of board meeting had to happen.

Eva MSN,FNP,BC

Trauma Columnist · Feb 11, 2008

I'm credentialled in five hospitals and it was a nightmare! Took a total of 8 months and in the meantime I wasn't allowed to set foot in the door.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Feb 12, 2008

oh yea... that's how my hospitals are. it doesn't help that i have worked at 2 of the 3 hospitals. people know me. so i couldn't even "sneak" in the door. a few of my classmates are working for similar groups and are going to the hospitals, but not signing charts. they're basically just writing a bunch of verbal orders. not exactly a good idea, but their supervising md is always there and signs behind them on everything. in the meantime, i enjoy my mornings to sleep in and work out. plus that's my "handle patient concerns" time. mornings will be my "rounding" time in the future.