Various RN Licenses In Your State

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Do you know what types of RN licenses your state offers?

Active for RN's engaged in employment as RN's.

Inactive for RN's not employed as RN's at this time. This status must be changed to Active if the inactive RN wants to go back to working.

Retired for RN's who want to volunteer at their church or in their communities, flu shot clinics, or in other settings where they perform activities that would normally be done by an RN with an Active license. Retired RN's properly call themselves "RN". The retired RN does not get paid for these services. I guess they could also work with the homeless doing things like triage, dressings, various assessments (hypertension, lipids, and DM screenings come to mind).

I am not totally sure about activities Retired RN's are legally able to do. I'd appreciate your input. Yes, I know it probably varies somewhat from state to state.

Do you know of any other status in your state? Thanks.

[kakamegamama]

Go to various states' BON sites and check their categories. You probably will get an answer more quickly. Not every one in every state will know the answer to the question, and I hazard a guess that most of us are informed only about the status of our individual licenses.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I guess I'm not really in a hurry, as I will have to abide by the laws in my state of residence. I was just curious.

I kind of want to become a Ward Clerk, utilizing my knowledge of medical terminology while staying off of my feet. I don't want to fully leave the setting that has been home to me for so long. There is also an Access Clerk, a telephone operator, Admissions Clerk, Scheduling Clerk, maybe others.

I wonder if anyone will hire an old nag who is knowledgeable but limited physically. And I need to know whether to go inactive so there is no question in anyone's mind that I legally would not be able to do any Nursing skills, or should I just get a Retired license? I think this license would prevent the employer from expecting me to do any Nursing activities - no passing meds, no dressing changes, no helping turn patients or get them up or restrain them, no sitting 1 on 1 with them unless merely as a sitter, doing no trips to the commode or toilet, no hair combing, no dressings, no feeding, etc.

So I will have to get this clarified with the potential employers I'm thinking of working for.

Anyway, wish me luck. It's a big step. I don't even know how to do a resume yet. Do I not play up my RN background? Do I play it up as a bonus because it shows I know the world of Nursing and the terminology? Any advice is appreciated.