Reciprocity

Hello Everyone,

I am thrilled about getting accepted into nursing school, although I got into the LPN instead of the RN program. I've been told that its easier to get into a transition program, once I get my LPN license. I am a bit concerned about being able to work in another state when I finish school. I have lived all over the world, and am only back in Indianapolis for the in state tuition. I was hoping to apply for jobs out of state once I finish. Is this possible? From what I hear you just need to pass each states nursing exam, and pay a fee in order to be qualified for that state. I really hope this is true. It just hit me today that I might be stuck somewhere that I don't want to be. If anyone is familiar with this situation please let me know.
You don't need to pass the nursing exam (I am assuming you are talking about the NCLEX) in each state, once you pass the exam every state accepts it, the difference would be in the requirements to apply. You can just endorse the license to as many states as you wish to practice. i for instance have my original license here in FL and am now applying to KY and OH simultaneously. Once you finish the lvn program you need to sit for the NCLEX and pass to get your license, once you do this you can endorse the license to another state.

Once you pass the NCLEX for LPN, you are licensed in your home state. If your state is part of the Nurse Compact, then you can work under your home state license in those states in the compact. If not then you can apply for a license in another state by endorsement. No more individual state exams.

I moved to another state two days after I graduated nursing school. I was advised by the recruiter at the hospital I was going to work at to take the NCLEX after I moved to help make the paperwork easier. Apparently, if I had taken the NCLEX in my home state and then moved, it would have taken longer to get my license due to transfer of paperwork and licensing requirements where I live now (fingerprinting is required before even sitting for the NCLEX here vs my home state that did not require that). Check with the licensing board where you want to move.

The nursing license exam (NCLEX) is the same in all 50 states. Pass one pass all. At last count there were 19 states in the "compact." Those states treat a nursing license like a drivers license, for example. You need to be licensed in your home state, but these states will let you work under that license subject to the laws and nurse practice act of the state in which you are working. The other 31 states require you to apply for "license by endorsement" to work there. That's just a matter of paperwork and money shuffle.

you guys rock!