What are the rules to traveling as an RN with an NP license?

[micurn13]

So, a couple of life changing milestones this year are: graduating with my MSN in May and marrying in the summer. With that being said, I don't want to deal with the stress of studying for boards, to finding my dream job and subsequently starting a new role.

I always wanted to travel but never was able due to being a single parent and starting graduate school. Lately, it seems the stars cannot align themselves better. I still plan to take boards sometime in the summer, but once I do how will this affect my role as a traveling RN? I hear there's a stigma that NP's should not practice as an RN but there seems to be some blurred lines within both roles.

I hope I can explain this better:

For example, I reside in Ohio. Once I pass, I would have a COA (certificate of authority). Not to get too specific but I would need 2 additional certifying documents (CTP-Certificate To Prescribe and a SCA-Standard Care Agreement) in order to legally practice as an NP in Ohio. I plan to take my first assignment as an ICU RN in New York, then possibly MA and DC. So in a hypothetical situation, I'd have an active NP license in Ohio but would not be legally able "to practice" per se as an NP.

Long story short, I just want to continue working in my current role (RN) until the summer/fall season blows over. I truly just want to get boards out of the way and don't want to start working as an APRN until late 2017. Would this be legal? If so, are there any repercussions that I'd suffer just because I have the advanced education? Lastly, what recommendations you seasoned travelers have in regards to handling this? I'm receptive to all of your comments.

I'm new to this; all of this. In fact, this is my first post! lol

PS. I am not interested in traveling as an NP at the moment

Thanks

[NedRN]

There are no legal issues to working as an RN with a valid license. And your NP would only increase your competitiveness as an ICU traveler. What manager wouldn't want that combo!

[micurn13]

This gives me an added peace of mind. Thank you.

[NedRN]

By the way, both MA and NY require verification of all RN nursing licenses ever held (which may include APRN), including temps (as a traveler, my temp was enough to get me through an entire assignment and I never got the perm in a few states). I mention this because it will be slightly less hassle to license those states before D.C. Except for NYC, you may find the pay for many assignments in NY to be below that of MA. DC can pay well (likely less than MA), as can the many nearby hospitals in Virginia and Maryland in the metro area.

[birdie22]

In the state of Ohio, you can work as an RN and still hold a NP license. I think the logistics of how to go about it might vary from state to state, but I think its doable in most places. A coworker is currently doing that in my unit (in Ohio). All she had to do was sign a piece of paper from the hospital stating she would only practice under the scope of a RN while working as a RN and not practice under the scope of a NP.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

In the state of Ohio, you can work as an RN and still hold a NP license. I think the logistics of how to go about it might vary from state to state, but I think its doable in most places. A coworker is currently doing that in my unit (in Ohio). All she had to do was sign a piece of paper from the hospital stating she would only practice under the scope of a RN while working as a RN and not practice under the scope of a NP.

You can do the same in NY.

[NedRN]

And every other state.

[elkpark]

In the state of Ohio, you can work as an RN and still hold a NP license. I think the logistics of how to go about it might vary from state to state, but I think its doable in most places. A coworker is currently doing that in my unit (in Ohio). All she had to do was sign a piece of paper from the hospital stating she would only practice under the scope of a RN while working as a RN and not practice under the scope of a NP.

The rub is, though, that, if anything goes pear-shaped enough to end up in court, the courts will hold the individual to the standards of her/his highest level of education and licensure. That's the potential conflict inherent in working "below" one's level of licensure. I'm not saying no one should ever do it (I've done it myself, although it's less of a big deal for me as a CNS than it would be for an NP), but I think it's important for people to understand the risks they are taking.

I'm not aware of any state BONs that flat-out forbid working below your highest level of licensure, but I know that a number of state BONs have statements on their websites cautioning people about the conflicts and risks involved.

Also, for the same reasons, a lot of responsible employers won't hire/allow people to work below their maximum level of licensure.