Work in Portland Oregon as a new grad?

[steph84]

Hi all! I will be graduating with a BSN this coming May ( Finally!) and I will be getting licensed in NY, as this is where I currently live. Although Im still really young, only 21, I really want to move out to Portland ASAP. Does anyone have info on licensure interstate, and when I can apply for an OR license? Travel nursing for new grads, is that a common thing? Any info would be helpful, thanks!

[TeleNurse4986]

I was in a similar situation when I graduated from nursing school-I lived in a state other than where I planned on practicing. You can take the NCLEX in NY and still be licensed in OR if you know for sure that's where you'll be working. Otherwise, since neither state is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (read more: https://www.ncsbn.org/158.htm) you will have to pay a hefty fee plus paperwork to get your license transferred from NY to OR. I think you do this once you get your ATT letter in the mail, you can register for a time and place to test online and I think that's where they ask what state you want to be licensed in (i.e. "primary state of residency"?).
Also, onto the topic of Travel Nursing. I recently graduated in December and am antsy to do travel nursing as well! Most companies want you to have 12 months of consecutive experience in your specialty. The most important tip I've received from travel nurses is that you need to be very comfortable in your area of practice since the facility you travel to may be in such need for your help that you don't get a proper orientation to the floor, let alone the entire facility. Check out this site for more info on several travel nursing companies: Travel Nursing Companies: Leaders in Travel Nurse Staffing.

I know this was lengthy, but I hope it helps!!!:houra: