The idea of travel nursing appeals to a lot of people, as it's a way to master your craft while also having the opportunity to experience life in new states. However, many registered nurses are hesitant about taking the dive into travel nursing because they're unsure whether their license is, or will be, valid in other states. Here is what you need to know about getting licensed as a travel nurse and the licenses available to you:
Nurse Licensure Compact
As of 2005, there are 25 states that are a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This agreement allows nurses to be licensed to practice in each state in the compact. With this compact, nurses do not have to get licensed in every location their travel nursing career takes them. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing released a list of each state that's a part of the NLC.
In order to obtain multi-state licensure, one must already be a registered nurse and legally reside in a compact state. However, advanced practice registered nurses are not eligible for this option.
Single-state licensure
Unfortunately, if you are not a resident of a state that's included in the NLC, you will not have the option for multi-state licensure. In this case, you will have to apply for nursing licenses in each state that your travel nursing career takes you. Some states that aren't compact states, however, are considered "walk through states." In these states, you can obtain a temporary license in as little as a day that will last up to six months. According to LinkedIn, these states include Arizona, Washington D.C., Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Wisconsin.