Worth it to get license by endorsement?

[play4lock]

So I'm a licensed new grad in california and have had zero luck with jobs. I would love to work in washington and it seems like almost all the job postings say WA license required, so is it worth it to just get the license before I find a potential job or hope that a hospital will look past my lack of WA license and interview me anyways? I'm just worried that I won't even be considered without the license and don't want to miss out, on the other hand I don't want to end up with a useless license b/c hospitals aren't really hiring up there. any opinions would be appreciated, thanks

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

I interviewed in WA state in October and was offered a job the day after. I started my WA license process then and had it by the time I agreed to start, which was in January.

Of course a WA state license will be required to practice nursing in this state, but I don't think it's requisite to apply for jobs. Especially if you're looking to start at least 1-2 months after you are offered a job.

[play4lock]

Thanks for the response, just out of curiousity where in washington did you end up?

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

I live/work in an area called the Tri-Cities in south-eastern WA state. It's where I was born and raised and I relocated back here from NV to be closer to family. It's definitely not big city living, but a great place to be as a nurse - good salary and low cost of living. Seattle and Portland are about 3 hour drives from here.

[gaius]

When i called the WA board of nursing i was told i would get a temporary license of sorts while my info is in processing, is this true? I ask because when I applied at jobs and they tell me that they they never heard of it before.

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

I've never heard of that. I went from pending to active with no temporary license in between.

[gaius]

Oh wow I called them three separate times earlier this week and thats what they told me. Any chance they just started this?

[knitter523]

I just looked at the WA website- http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqa/AppStatus.htm

The DOH is now issuing temporary permits pending background checks (which are also new this year). You will need to get fingerprinted.

Another change is that they no longer issue paper licenses. It is all on-line (finally).

The above website should answer most of your questions. I would start the process ASAP, but go ahead and apply for jobs. Since you are a licensed RN already, they should expect that you can obtain a WA license and will allow for that.

Good Luck!