We all know that travel nurses need a nursing license to work in a state. Whether you are a new travel nurse or a seasoned one, getting your license is the first thing you need to legally work in that state. Nurses get their nursing license usually in 2 weeks from the state board of nursing. In this blog, we will discuss which are the easiest and the hardest states to get your (RN) license.
What is a compact state nursing license?
A compact state nursing license (NLC) is a nursing license that allows travel nurses to work in multiple states without applying for additional licenses, saving them both time and money.
States that take the longest to get your nursing license
The ease and difficulty of obtaining an RN license in different states depends on different factors such as background checks, licensing exam, education etc.
States that take the longest to get RN (Nursing license)
Ohio
Ohio takes the longest time to get a nursing license. It requires fingerprints and background checks. Specific educational and documentation requirements are needed before getting the RN license. The processing time also takes longer compared to other states. Nurses prefer to get Ohio nursing licenses because of places like Cleveland and Columbus. Ohio is also home to top healthcare facilities.
California
Another state that takes longer to get an RN license is California. Many travel nurses still choose to work in California despite having a lengthy licensure process because of higher pay and compensation, beautiful scenic locations, pleasant weather, and high demand in healthcare.
Maryland
Maryland is one of the compact states, but travel nurses who do not have NLC will apply for state licenses. It takes about 10 weeks on average. It requires fingerprints and background checks. The reasons why travel nurses still want to get Maryland RN licenses are:
- Hub for healthcare professionals.
- High demand for travel nurses
- High quality of life with access to both urban and natural environments.
- Competitive salary.
- Access to continuing education.
Other states that take the longest time to licensure are:
- Main
- Alaska
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- New York
- Indiana
- Nebraska
- Iowa
Easiest states to get RN license
Some of the states that are easiest to get a permanent nursing license are as follows:
Georgia
The average processing time is 10-14 days. The reasons why travel nurses want to get their nursing licenses for Georgia are:
- Efficient technology
- Clear requirements make it easy for travel nurses.
- High demand for nurses.
- Compact license eligibility
- Popular destination for travel nurses and a variety of job opportunities.
Alabama
The average processing time is 2-3 weeks. Alabama also makes an excellent state for travel nurses because of the high demand for travel nurses. Other reasons include the following:
- Strong healthcare network.
- Diverse travel nurse opportunities.
- If you have a compact state license, you don’t have to apply for an additional license.
- Higher salaries and benefits.
- Warm climate and friendly people.
Hawaii
Hawaii is another great state for travel nurses, with a quick licensing process. It takes about 45-60 days on average, and sometimes nurses get their license in just 2 weeks. Hawaii is the perfect destination for travel nurses because:
- It has a high demand for healthcare workers.
- Attractive landscapes and unique culture.
- Compact license eligibility.
Other states where travel nurses can get nursing licenses quickly are:
- South Carolina: Average license processing time is 14 days.
- Kentucky: Average licensure processing time is 7-14 days.
- What are the factors that affect licensure difficulty?
Some of the factors that affect the nursing licensure difficulty are as follows:
- Background checks.
- International education.
- Additional exams.
- Work experience.
- Continuing education.
Conclusion
If you are a travel nurse, then you already know that you need an RN license for the state you want to work in. If you have a compact state nursing license, then you can work in multiple states without applying for additional RN licenses. However, some states still require travel nurses to get their RN license. States such as California, Maryland, and Ohio take the longest, whereas states like Hawaii, Kentucky, Georgia, etc., have less processing time. Several factors affect the licensing process, such as background checks, additional examinations, etc. If you are a travel nurse and want to work in top healthcare facilities and make money, then join Skill Gigs now and become part of our travel nursing world.
