What Is Compact Nursing License And How Can You Apply For It?
When it comes to nursing, licensure is everything. You’ll need a license only then you can start working as a registered nurse in a state of the United States. Licensure has become much more efficient and allowed for greater mobility of nurses between states and its credit goes to compact nursing license.
If you are interested in moving to other states in the USA and helping others with your nursing skills, the compact nursing license is all you need.
What is a compact nursing license?
A compact nursing license allows nurses to work in any of the compact states all over the USA. The compact nursing license is also known as nurse licensure compact (NLC) or eNLC and these terms are used interchangeably. As a travel nurse, whether you are working as a long-term care nurse, ER nurse, or any other specialty, it is common to hold several state licenses. Nonetheless, compact nursing license offers you a better way rather than applying for multiple licenses. There are 39 compact implemented states in the United States as of now.
How can I get a compact nursing license?
The process of applying for a compact nursing license is similar to applying for any state license. If you want to apply for the compact nursing license, you need to meet the uniform requirements for a multistate license including:
- Your primary state of residence should be an eNLC state.
- You must be graduated from an accredited nursing school, college, or university.
- You require to pass the English proficiency exam.
- You also pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.
- You should hold the current state license.
- You have passed a federal background check (based on fingerprint).
- Neither convicted nor guilty of a felony.
- You should have no misdemeanors or convictions related to nursing practice.
- You must be a US citizen.
If you meet all the above criteria, then you can visit the website of the state board of nursing. After that, you need to follow the instructions that vary depending upon the state you live in.
How do nurses benefit from a compact nursing license?
All the nurses want to visit new places, work for different healthcare jobs, and be able to work in any eNLC state. So having a compact nursing license makes it easier for them. The benefits of having a compact nursing license are:
- No burden of applying for and holding multiple state licenses.
- It is cost-effective.
- The processing time is short.
- You can easily work in multiple states.
- The renewal process is easier as well.
Last words
Can you have a nursing license in 39 states? It will require filling out 39 applications, background checks, and fees to pay. The compact nursing license doesn’t require all these things. If you are in the home healthcare staffing business and want to know more about the compact nursing license, feel free to contact the experts now.