Updated Map: Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)

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| posted by Axis Staffing

Ever wonder just where your RN license can take you?

As all nurses know, you need to hold a state license in any state that you are looking to practice in. This can present a unique and sometimes frustrating issue for travel nurses. Often times, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to secure the license for an assignment. Because of the lengthy application and approval process, it can take too long to secure a license for an assignment they’re interested in. This can unfortunately result in them missing out on an opportunity they were very much looking forward to.

The good news is that there’s a somewhat simple solution to this problem. Travel Nurses can hold a Compact License, which allows them to practice legally in multiple states. In order to obtain a Compact License however, nurses must also have a valid license in their primary state of residence. The original Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) program began in 2000 and had grown to include 25 states by 2015.

Recently, in January, the new and improved Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) was implemented which includes thorough background checks. Besides passing the check and submitting fingerprints, nurses must also have no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions. They must have graduated from a board approved education program and passed their NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination or predecessor exam as well as an English proficiency exam. After these changes were announced, many organizations announced their support of the new eNLC program, most notably the American Association of Colleges of Nurses.

You May Also Like: Top 5 Benefits of Travel Nursing

The eNLC was implemented on Jan. 19, 2018 with 29 member states, and many others currently have pending legislation to become part of the eNLC. Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Vermont, and Michigan all hope to join in 2018.

They participating states are:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • New Hampshire
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Use this helpful tool to find out where your RN license can take you.

To stay up to date on the latest changes and improvements to the eNLC, you can visit the official website for the Nurse Licensure Compact, or visit Nurse.org to view a full map. You can also stay tuned right here at Axis, where we always have the latest news, tips, and tricks to being the best travel nurse you can be!

With the enactment of the new eNLC, being a Travel Nurse just became that much easier!

So what are you waiting for? Do it! Live the Travel Life!

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