How To Get Your Registered Nurse License

Educational Advancement For Rns With A Bsn

How to get that nursing job before getting your RN license

Obtaining your BSN isnt the end of the line in the nursing field. In fact, a BSN opens many more doors should you seek advancement in your career. Some BSN-RNs choose to go on to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing degree. This option can help prepare you to lead in administrative or technology specialties or teach future generations as a nurse educator.

Complete An Accredited Program

Find an accredited nursing program thats approved by your States board of nursing. Since you want to pursue an RN license, you have to take a course that caters to that kind of training.

Make sure that whatever course you take is accredited and recognized. Your education will ultimately determine your job opportunities and salary to a large extent. When an institution is accredited it means that it meets that bare minimum standard set by the state board.

Find good nursing schools with a good track record, reviews, and credentials. Also, be on the lookout for scholarships or financial aid if you need it.

In addition to the usual nursing programs getting other nursing certifications are a great way to boost your employability and resume.

For nursing assistants who are looking to become registered nurses quickly, the best option for you is to enroll in a Certified Nursing Assistant to Registered Nurse bridge program. Opting for this route lets you earn an ADN or Associate Degree in Nursing in a year at the latest as opposed to two years on average if you tried earning an ADN traditionally.

Complete An Accredited State

Choosing the right nursing program can make a huge difference in your education. One of the most important considerations when youre looking at programs is accreditation. If a program isnt accredited, you could run into the following issues:

You wont be able to get financial aid from the federal government
Your credits wont transfer if you want to go back to school later
You might not be eligible to take the exams you need for licensure
You might not be eligible for credentials or certifications

Nursing programs are accredited nationally by a few agencies, including:

Both agencies ensure that programs are at a high standard and providing students with the information they need to know to be successful in their nursing careers. You can check if your school or program is accredited in a few ways. The institution most likely declares its accreditation on its website, most often in the About section. You can also visit the Department of Educations database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs website and search for your school or program.

How To Obtain A Rn License

This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophia Latorre. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 27,440 times.

Becoming an RN, or registered nurse, is a rewarding job that will allow you to help many people. The first thing you’ll need to do is graduate from a nursing program through an accredited school. Then, you must apply for a license with your state board of nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. With dedication and effort, you can obtain an RN license in 2-3 years.

How To Apply For A Compact State Nursing License

In order to obtain a compact nursing license and work as a nurse in a compact state, you must have proof of residence in a compact state as well as a current, active Registered Nurse License in said state. With a compact license, you can practice in any of the other participating compact states without needing to obtain another license .

The Primary State of Residence is the state in which you declare a primary residence for legal purposes. Sources used to verify your primary residence may include a driverâs license, federal income tax return, or voter registration. PSOR refers to legal residency status and does not pertain to home or property ownership. Only one state be identified as the primary state of legal residence for eNLC purposes.

Note: the upgrade from a state nursing license to a multistate nursing license does not happen automatically you must actively apply. If your home state was part of the original NLC, and you hold a multistate license that was acquired previously, you do not have to pay a fee to transfer it to an eNLC license a new license will be issued as long as youâre eligible.

So, with all of this in mind, how do you actually get a compact license?

Welcome To Nursing License Map

For our nurses on the front lines and in the background,be sure to remember to take some time for yourself to reduce burnout.

Earn a Master of Science in Nursing online from Simmons University.

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Earn an MS in Nursing online from Georgetown University.

Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
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Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing

The Wegmans School of Nursing is ranked among the top 100 nursing schools nationally, and is No. 6 in New York state1
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Earn your MSN online from USCs Top-Ranked School of Social Work.

Prepares RNs to pursue board certification as family nurse practitioners
Earn a CCNE-accredited MSN in as few as 21 months
Choose from part-time and full-time study options

1 U.S. News & World Report, 2022 Best Nursing Schools: Masters. Ranked in 2021.

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Additional Nursing Information

Electronic Prescriptions For Controlled Substances

Beginning January 1, 2022, Utah Code Annotated 58-37-22 requires that most* prescriptions issued for a controlled substance be transmitted electronically as an electronic prescription however, you may apply for a limited extension by submitting the form linked below.

Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances: Request for Limited Extension to Comply

*For information on exemptions, please see Utah Code Annotated 58-37-22.

While a prescriber is permitted to use any vendor, the Division* is aware of the vendors identified on the list below.

*The Division does not endorse any particular vendor, and the information on this resource sheet may change at any time.

Transfer Rn License From Non

You must apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state of residency.
Your individual state license issued by the non-compact state will not be affected and remain active if you continue to maintain it, meaning you will have to resume your continuing education hours, practice within the laws of that state, and renew it by the deadline.

Nursing Licensure Compact States

How to get your California RN LICENSURE | The quick facts!!

Licensed nurses legally residing in one of 25 compact states get a break on this one. The Nursing Licensure Compact allows licensed nurses in good standing who legally reside in a compact to practice in any party state. Learn more about the Nursing Licensure Compact here.

But traveling nurses who don’t live in a compact state will need to go through the process of getting licensed in each state in which they practice. How?

Protecting Your License Number

1Write down your number somewhere safe. You may need your RN license number when applying for jobs, gaining new certification, or proving your credentials. To keep it close to you at all times, write it down separately and put it somewhere you wont lose it. You can:

Write in a word document and save it to your computer.

Store the number on your phone using a notes app.

Put it on a post-it note and stick it to your computer.

Write it on a piece of paper and tuck it into your lanyard at work.

2Memorize your license number. If you have to provide your license number often, it may be easier just to memorize it. An easy way to memorize the number is to break it down into 2 or 3 chunks. Memorize these chunks separately before putting them together.XResearch source

3Make a copy of your nursing license. Use a photocopier or scan it into your computer. If you lose your current license, this will help you keep your information handy while you wait for a replacement.XResearch source

In some states, like Texas and Georgia, you can view and print off a copy of your license from the online public database.

You may not use or display this copy as proof of your licensing. This copy may only be used privately.

S To Getting Your Nursing License In All 50 States

Your education is just part of the process of earning nursing credentials. Find out whats next after your degree.

The process of getting your nursing license can seem complicated, time consuming, and costly. There are multiple license types, different rules in different states, and easy-to-confuse destinations like license, certification, and credential. Were here to help. Weve broken down the steps, the states, and more, so you can plan your path to licensure.

In This Article

Your first step to getting any kind of nursing license will be getting the education and training you need. You can then take an exam to earn your license. Just like earning a drivers license, youll need to get your training first, then demonstrate that training by passing a test.

Also Check: Community Colleges In Mississippi With Nursing Programs

Transfer Rn License From Compact To Compact

You can practice on the former residency license for up to 30 or 90 days depending upon the new state to which you have moved.
You will be required to apply for licensure endorsement at least 1 to 2 months in advance of a move, pay any applicable fees, and complete a declaration of primary state of residency in the new home state.
You will be issued a new multistate license and your former license will be inactivated.
You must notify the board of nursing in the former residency state that you have moved.
Proof of residency may be required.

Here is a scenario to kind of put it all together for you:Nicole holds an active RN license in her primary state of Colorado. However, she lives near the four corners, , and all those states participate in the NLC. Therefore, Nicole can drive across the borders to practice or practice electronically without any additional fees or applications. Later though, Nicole decides to move and change her primary residence to New Mexico. She will now have a 30-day grace period to practice on her current license, but by the end of those 30 days, Nicole will need to have obtained her new multi-state license. Ultimately, this is why it is a good idea to apply for new licenses in advance of any move so there is not a lapse in your ability to practice.

How Do I Apply For A Compact State Nursing License

If youre researching how to apply for a compact state nursing license, the first step is establishing your PSOR in one of the current 33 NLC states. If you are a recent graduate, this may be an easy move depending on where you had been attending school. Additionally, having your compact state nursing license is a great addition to a new grad nursing resume. Moving to your college town if its in an NLC state and your PSOR is not is a smart move that will help expedite your licensure. Likewise, if youd moved to attend school in a non-NLC state from an NLC state, moving back home and re-establishing residency should be your next step.

Your PSOR will be where you claim your mailing address, the home state on your voter registration card, your filed taxes, your drivers license, and so on. Because medical professionals particularly those applying for a Compact State Nursing License are closely researched, be sure to be honest and straightforward about your PSOR. Simply listing a friends address or renting a P.O. box isnt sufficient for declaring a PSOR youll need to actually legally reside and do your business there first. The amount of time required to declare a state your PSOR will vary across the country, so when in doubt, refer to local or state laws for guidance the drivers license office is usually an excellent place to seek clarification.

Criminal History Guidelines For Nursing

DISCLAIMER: This guideline is provided only for general information and guidance purposes. The Division uses this guideline simply as a starting point in making licensing or disciplinary decisions. Every applicant and licensee is unique, with individual circumstances that may involve aggravating, mitigating, or other factors. Patterns of conduct may affect any final decision. Please consult your attorney if you have questions.

This license classification has statutory licensure prohibitions based on felony convictions. If your offense was not charged as a felony or your conviction was later reduced, please contact the Division for further information.

KEY:

Deny

Nurse Licensure Compact Aka Multi

Fortunately, many states have joined the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact since it was enacted in December 2018. eNLC is an agreement between participating states to honor each states RN licenses. Nurses residing in eNLC states are permitted to provide care both within their home state and also within other eNLC states. The eNLC increases access to care while maintaining public protection at the state level. Those with previous compact licenses will be grandfathered into the eNLC. As more states pass legislation to join the compact the process is becoming streamlined and more affordable while creating abundant job opportunities the eNLC seeks to:

Enable nurses to practice in-person or provide telenursing services to patients across the country without having to obtain additional licenses.
Allow nurses to quickly cross state borders and provide vital services in the event of a disaster.
Facilitate telenursing and online nursing education.
Make practicing across state borders affordable and convenient.
Remove a burdensome expense for organizations that employ nurses and may share the cost of multiple licenses.

Nurses are eligible for a compact, or multistate nursing license if they meet the following criteria:

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I received a contract from my staffing agency, and there are phrases that i cannot understand that is why i am seeking an advise from legal experts regarding my concerns and questions. There are some changes in the contract from what i signed before especially the breach of contract fee and the hourly rate.

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S To Transfer Rn License

What to Do if Your Nursing License is on Probation

If you have to transfer your RN license it will occur via a process referred to as endorsement. Of course, the endorsement process is only able to be carried out once you have passed the NCLEX-RN and hold an active license in good standing with your particular state board of nursing. The process includes:

Choosing the state in which you would like to endorse your license with to access their board of nursing and rules to fill out an application for endorsement.
Visiting the Nursys licensure verification site to obtain online verification for endorsement to practice in another state.
The board of nursing in the state to which you are applying for endorsement will then have to accept your application, perform new background checks and ensure all your information is correct.
Payment of predetermined fees for your RN endorsement in the state you have chosen.
Within 1 or 2 months you will be notified whether or not your information has been approved to hold a license in your chosen state.

Apply For An Rn License

You can apply for your license during the final months of your course, or after your course. Pro tip for nursing students: If you want to expedite the process, apply towards the end, before your graduation.

Most states will allow you to access the application online. You may be asked to provide transcripts and pay a standard application fee. Once again, do note that the exact requirements will vary from one state to another.

Depending on your state policy, you may even be able to get a temporary license to practice.

Information And Fees To Prepare

Each state asks for different information. In all cases you will have to complete an application and send in a fee.

All states will require at least one, if not all, official verifications of any other state licenses held. Other items typically asked for may be school transcripts and fingerprint background checks.

Some states will offer temp permits to allow you to practice while some of the requirements that take longer are pending. Some states even allow walk-through, in which you can go directly to the state board and walk out with a temp permit.

Be careful though, there are restrictions to temp permits and walkthroughs for anyone who has any criminal convictions or past disciplinary action on his or her license.

Requirements can vary greatly from state to state, so its best to check with each board of nursing, or work with a staffing agencys in house Licensing Coordinators who can walk you through the process.

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