The Risks of Working as a Traveling Nurse: Protecting Your License Across State Lines
Traveling nursing offers exciting opportunities to work in diverse settings, meet new people, and experience different healthcare systems. However, this unique role comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to licensing. Traveling nurses often face complexities involving state-specific requirements, licensing boards, and compliance under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Failing to understand and adhere to these regulations can put your license—and career—at risk.
Licensing Challenges for Traveling Nurses
The appeal of traveling nursing lies in its flexibility, but moving between states requires careful attention to licensing rules. Depending on where you practice, you may encounter:
- Differing State Requirements: Each state has its own nursing board and rules for licensure, including continuing education requirements, scope of practice regulations, and reporting obligations.
- Compact vs. Non-Compact States: The Nurse Licensure Compact allows nurses to hold a multistate license, enabling them to work in participating states without applying for separate licenses. However, non-compact states require a single-state license, adding an extra layer of complexity.
- Temporary Assignments: Traveling nurses often take short-term assignments, which may require expedited licensure or temporary permits. Missteps in obtaining the correct licensure can lead to fines, investigations, or disciplinary actions.
- Differences in Practice Standards: What’s acceptable in one state may violate standards in another. Understanding the nuances of each state’s Nurse Practice Act is crucial to staying compliant.
How the Nurse Licensure Compact Works
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) streamlines the licensure process for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) by allowing them to practice in multiple states with a single multistate license. This agreement reduces administrative burdens for traveling nurses, but it’s not without risks.
To be eligible for a multistate license, nurses must:
- Reside in an NLC member state
- Meet the licensure requirements of their home state
- Maintain compliance with all applicable state and federal laws in each state where they practice
While the NLC simplifies licensing across member states, traveling nurses must still follow the rules of each state they work in. For example, a nurse practicing under a multistate license in Missouri must adhere to Missouri’s nursing laws, even if they are based in Kansas.
Non-compact states, such as California and New York, require traveling nurses to apply for a state-specific license, creating additional steps and potential delays. Working without the proper licensure can result in severe consequences, including disciplinary action, fines, or disqualification from future assignments.
Common Risks for Traveling Nurses
Traveling nurses face several risks when practicing across state lines. These include:
- Licensure Errors: Failing to obtain the correct license or permit for a specific state can trigger an investigation by the state nursing board.
- Documentation Issues: Inconsistent or incomplete documentation of patient care can lead to complaints, especially if the nurse is unfamiliar with a facility’s protocols or state-specific requirements.
- Scope of Practice Violations: Each state defines its own nursing scope of practice, and actions permitted in one state may not be allowed in another.
- Complaints from Employers or Patients: Traveling nurses often face higher scrutiny as they adapt to new environments and work with unfamiliar teams. Any perceived mistakes or misunderstandings can result in complaints to the nursing board.
How Complaints and Investigations Work for Traveling Nurses
When a complaint is filed against a traveling nurse, it can lead to investigations by multiple state nursing boards, depending on where the incident occurred and where the nurse holds licensure. Complaints may involve allegations such as:
- Failing to meet state-specific standards of care
- Violating state or facility policies
- Engaging in unprofessional conduct or negligence
If the complaint originates in a non-compact state, the nursing board in that state will investigate, and the nurse must respond accordingly. For nurses holding a multistate license, their home state board may also be involved if the incident reflects on their ability to practice safely and ethically.
Investigations can result in disciplinary actions ranging from fines and reprimands to suspension or revocation of the nurse’s license. These actions can impact a nurse’s ability to work in multiple states and jeopardize future employment opportunities.
Protecting Your License as a Traveling Nurse
Traveling nurses can take proactive steps to minimize risks and protect their licenses while working across state lines. Key strategies include:
- Understanding State-Specific Requirements: Before accepting an assignment, familiarize yourself with the nursing laws, regulations, and scope of practice for that state. This includes knowing reporting obligations, mandatory training, and patient care standards.
- Maintaining Accurate Documentation: Ensure that your patient care records are complete, accurate, and in compliance with facility and state requirements.
- Verifying Licensure Compliance: Double-check that you have the appropriate license or permit for each assignment, whether it’s a multistate license under the NLC or a single-state license.
- Following Facility Protocols: Take the time to understand the policies and procedures of each facility where you work. This helps avoid conflicts and ensures that your care aligns with expectations.
The Role of a Nursing License Defense Lawyer
If you face a complaint or investigation while working as a traveling nurse, having a nursing license defense lawyer is essential. An attorney experienced in professional license defense can help you:
- Understand the scope of the complaint and its potential impact on your license
- Respond to inquiries from nursing boards effectively and professionally
- Navigate the complexities of dealing with multiple state nursing boards
- Build a defense strategy to protect your license and career
At Sanger Law Office, LLC, we have decades of experience defending nurses in Missouri and Kansas. We understand the unique challenges traveling nurses face and work tirelessly to safeguard their licenses and careers.
Why Choose Sanger Law Office, LLC?
Traveling nurses have unique needs when it comes to protecting their licenses. At Sanger Law Office, LLC, we provide comprehensive legal support tailored to the demands of your profession. Whether you’re navigating multistate licensure under the NLC or responding to a complaint in a non-compact state, we are here to help.
Contact us today at (816) 520-8040 for Missouri or (785) 979-4353 for Kansas to schedule a free consultation. Let us provide the guidance you need to continue practicing with confidence across state lines.