As a nurse, having a license that allows you to work in different locations will enhance your career development and job flexibility. With a multi-state license, nurses can practice in more than 40 states without applying for new licensure in the areas they travel to. This license usually has less complications or application barriers. It is called a Nursing licensure compact.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of nursing services became a concern in the US. There was a great need for skilled nurses in different states. One of the ways this need was met was by calling for nurses from different states to practice in places with nursing shortages. These healthcare professionals were able to move to these areas because of the compact.
The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) was formed in 2000. Then, there were not many areas under the compact license. By 2015, most current compact states were added and the name was changed to the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC). This new document requires more services from health caregivers. Today, there are more than 40 states under the eNLC.
As a nurse, you will love the opportunities having an eNLC gives to your career. But what other benefits does this license offer? And what are some cons it has? Let’s discuss that.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Compact States Licensing
The following are some of the advantages of this:
It Offers the Ability to Travel
Travel nurses can face certain challenges if they decide to travel to non-compact areas. However, with a multi-state license, these challenges can be reduced. You will find it easy to travel to these states with the licensure.
It Helps to Ease Shortage of Nursing Professionals in Certain Locations
Some places are experiencing a shortage of these healthcare professionals. While others have an abundance of these care workers. Areas with shortages offer opportunities for nurses to travel over to provide care.
It Offers Cross-State Telehealth Care Services
As the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by surprise, telehealth services became an important aspect of healthcare especially when in-person treatment is not possible or recommended. Nurses from states with eNLC can provide telehealth services to other compact states. Cross-state telehealth can also provide flexibility to the healthcare worker and address any problems related to staffing shortages. For more on the importance of telehealth care, check here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/
It Ensures Uniform Licensing Regulations
The Nursing Licensure Compact sets specific codes and regulations that all healthcare professionals must follow. This means that patients will receive the same quality of care no matter where they live in. These uniform codes make the process of bringing healthcare workers from one state to another easy without reducing the quality of care they will render. So, hospitals will be ready to outsource travel nurses due to the quality of services they will render to their establishment.
It Offers Quick Response to Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can happen at any time. Hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are common in many places today. Compact states can seamlessly ask for nurses to help victims of these disasters. Whether it is to provide wound care or to ensure that displaced citizens get essential services, the eNLC provides a simple way for patients to receive urgent care promptly.
Cons of Compact States Licensing
The following are some cons of this:
There are Different State Regulations
Although the eNLC helps to bridge the gap between traveling from one location to another and caring for patients, regulations around the nursing practice are still different from one state to another. One of the rules of the eNLC is that as a nurse, you are bound to the laws of the state you travel to rather than your primary area of residence. This can be challenging for you and the healthcare facility when determining the regulatory codes to follow. For some of these regulatory codes, you can check here.
There are Different Professional Development Codes
While the eNLC addresses the quality of patient care and standards of education, it doesn’t have any codes regarding continuing education. Each location has its codes on this matter. Some take it very serious, while others give little attention to professional development.
There Can be Confusing Disciplinary Problems
If you face disciplinary actions in a location, it can be confusing if punishment will extend to another location you also work in. Problems like this can be confusing as there is no official statement about what will happen in this situation.
Conclusion
An eNLC makes it easier for you to travel from one place to another to apply your skills as a nurse in multiple places. Having this license is one of the most important things to own for a fulfilling career in health.
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