Interstate Licensure a Boost to Travel Nursing
By Claire Brocato, feature writer
With the implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact, many travel nurses can now
take advantage of a more streamlined and flexible licensure process.
Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who reside in states that have implemented
the Nurse Licensure Compact can practice under the same license in states that have
adopted the mutual recognition model, according to the National Council of State
Boards of Nursing. Eliminating the time, expense and 'red tape' of obtaining a license
in a new state is a boon to the travel nursing profession.
Under the Nurse Licensure Compact, nurses must follow the practice laws and regulations
of the state where they are practicing. Accountability is similar to having a driver's
license for one particular state, but you're expected to follow the laws of whichever
state you're driving in.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) created this mutual recognition
plan in 1997. The 17 states that have implemented the compact to date are Arizona,
Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico,
North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
Virginia is set to implement the licensure compact on Jan. 1, 2005. Although New
Jersey, Indiana and New Hampshire have passed the legislation, the implementation
date is yet to be determined. Also, as of Oct. 1, 2004, the Florida Board of Nursing
has announced that it has decided to pursue multistate licensure for its nurses
and will seek legislative authority to join the Nurse Licensure Compact.
"Nursing practices and technology have changed," said Connie Kalanek,
RN, BSN, MSN, executive director of the North Dakota Board of Nursing, one of the
most recent states to join the compact. "The Nurse Licensure Compact addresses
the growing need for nursing across state lines and the variety of settings in which
nurses work and the technologies they use in their practice."
The compact ensures that all pertinent information about a nurse's licensure and
discipline, past and present, is integrated and readily accessible in one location.
This shared information system makes it easier for party states to monitor nursing
practice.
To learn more about the interstate compact, visit the NCSBN's official Web site
at www.ncsbn.org and click on Nurse Licensure Compact. If you want further details
about licensing and travel nursing, please talk to your travel company recruiter,
who will gladly answer your questions and offer advice.
Quick Facts on the Nurse Licensure Compact
- To work in other compact states,
a nurse's primary state of residence must be one of the 17 compact states. Primary
residence is determined by where the nurse declares residence on his/her tax return.
- A nurse whose primary state of
residence is a compact state will be issued a license by that state. The nurse will
no longer need additional licenses to practice in other states that are members
of the compact.
- Nurses must still obtain licenses
to work in non-compact states.
- Nurses who live in non-compact
states, but practice in a compact state will be issued a nursing license valid only
in that member state (single state license). The nurse will not be granted the "multi-state
privilege to practice" in other compact states.
- Nurses are responsible for complying
with the provisions of the Nurse Practice Act in all states where they practice.
- RNs, LPNs and LVNs are included
in the compact. Advanced practice nurses are not.
- Currently there is no such licensure
arrangement for allied health care professionals.