Where should I take NCLEX? compact or non-compact state?

[ylimeyh]

Hey!

I'm still a nursing student but will be graduating soon. I would really love to move to IL and work as a nurse after graduating, but my home state is a compact state. I'm not 100% sure that I will be moving to IL, however, unless I have a job. Is it very difficult to transfer your license to a non-compact state from a compact state? Or would it be a better idea to get licensed in IL first, even without a job?? Thanks for your help!

[JoeyGirlRNNYC]

Essentially, it's up to you. I applied for licensure in NY. I didn't apply for licensure in the state where I went to nursing school, which was a multi-licensure state.

You can sit for the NCLEX anywhere in the US for any state. For example, I sat for the NCLEX in OH, went to school in NC, but was taking the test for NY State licensure.

I'd say apply to both if you can and want to. In these dire economic times, that would be a great thing to do since new jobs for new grad nurses are hard to come by in metropolitan and even suburb areas.

It's not hard to apply for licensure in another state by endorsement after you have your license. Yet, they ask for verification from your nursing school and verification from your state board, which may be extra money and time compared to if you just registered with that state board by examination.

If you're sure about where you want to work and you have contacts, then do what you feel will make you happiest in the long run. Better to try and not regret than to be somewhere where you do not want to be.

Good luck :nuke:

[ylimeyh]

Oh, so you can apply for licensure in two states at once? that would probably be the best bet if I could get that worked out. thanks for the advice!

[JoeyGirlRNNYC]

yes, go ahead. you'll be more marketable. no problem. good luck to you :wink2: