A Day of Remembrance “Memorial Day is a US federal holiday which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May.[1] Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.[2] Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union andConfederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. […]
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Ask a Travel Nurse: How do you handle licensing in different states when travel nursing?
Ask a Travel Nurse Question:
How do you get so many licenses when travel nursing? Are they all compact states? Don’t you have to have a home base to even apply for your first assignment and/or license?
Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:
If you do not already reside in a compact state, then you will have to obtain a license for each state in which you want to practice. However, many travel companies will reimburse for this cost, but you may need to obtain the license yourself, even before you start to look, because of some of the long turn-around times with the state boards.
Just check with your recruiter and make sure the company will reimburse you if you do end up taking an assignment with them, in the state in which you obtained the license.
I have never encountered anyone who did not have a license active in at least one state and although I do not know if it is strictly mandatory, I would think that you would want to carry at least one active license to show that you have passed the NCLEX and are able to work as a registered nurse.
Hope this helps.
David
Thank you, military nurses! And Happy Memorial Day to all!
With Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, Travel Nursing Blogs would like to say thank you, military nurses!
Perhaps the ultimate in a very serious, long-term Travel Nursing assignment, nurses in the military do their part for their patients and for all of us. Just like all nurses, their hard work is unparalleled, and with the extra badge of honor that comes with service to their country come additional sacrifices.
From very early on in American history there were always nurses right alongside soldiers, helping treat patient soldiers, civilians, and risking their own safety while they were at it. In 1901, the Army Nurse Corps was established and made military nurses official. The Navy Nurse Corps followed in 1908 and the Air Force Nurse Corps was established next in 1949.
For more info on the history of military nurses and the army nurse corps, click here.
Thank you, military nurses! We salute you this Memorial Day, and every day.
MNA Legislative Wrap-Up 
The 2014 session of the Minnesota Legislature was a success for nurses and working families. Minnesota’s growing economy produced a $1.2 billion budget surplus in 2014, allowing Governor Dayton and the legislature to deliver middle class tax relief and new investments in our schools and our economy.
Minnesotans have seen remarkable progress over the past two years following some of the most productive, efficient legislative sessions in recent memory. Much of that progress will affect patients, working families and nurses.
Health and Human Services Policy Omnibus Bill: Signed into Law
The Governor signed the package of health policy bills (HF2402) into law. Several MNA priorities were included in the bill.
o Requires health licensing boards to temporarily suspend a health professional license for 30 days and complete a disciplinary investigation during that time, if they receive a report from HPSP that the regulated person has engaged in conduct that might cause risk to the public and the board has probable cause to believe their continued practice presents an imminent risk of harm to the public.
o Allows the 30 day temporary suspension to be lifted if the board does not complete their investigation by then, unless the regulated person requests a delay.
o Requires all health licensing boards to stay in HPSPS until July 1, 2015.
o Requires employers to report any knowledge of drug diversion by a regulated health professional to that persons licensing board unless the knowledge was obtained in the course of a professional-patient relationship or because of the person’s participation in HPSP.
o MNA supported this legislation to protect patient safety and to protect the privacy and health of nurses with substance use disorder who are working to preserve their licenses and careers.
o Bans the sale of e-cigarettes from kiosks and vending machines.
o Requires child-resistant packaging to prevent the dangerous ingestion of nicotine by children.
o Bans the use of e-cigarettes in publicly-owned buildings.
o Local communities can implement more restrictive regulations on e-cigarettes if they wish.
o MNA supports restrictions on e-cigarettes since the long term health effects are unknown.
Public Employment Relations Board: Signed into Law
On May 9th, the Governor signed into law a bill to establish a Public Employment Relations Board (HF3014). This legislation will create a board to decide Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) claims involving public employees, which includes many MNA nurses at public municipal or county hospitals (known in statute as Charitable Hospitals). Under current law, public employers and employees must litigate ULP claims in district court-a cumbersome and expensive process. MNA supported this bill because the PERB will create a process that saves employers and employees money and would mirror the ULP process in the private sector.
APRN Bill: Signed into Law
Governor Dayton signed into law a bill to allow Advance Practice Registered Nurses to practice to the full extent of their scope (SF511). The law gives full practice authority to Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists. Beginning January 1, 2015, APRNs will be able to practice independently. The new law limits, however, CRNA’s who will continue to require a collaborative management agreement with a physician to practice pain management.
This law represents years of work by advocates for APRNs, and MNA was proud to support this effort.
Steve’s Law: Signed into Law
Governor Dayton signed into law a bill to broaden the availability of Naloxone (Narcan) for first responders to use in cases of opiate overdose (SF1900). The bill received near unanimous support along every stage of the legislative process. Members of both parties spoke eloquently about the disease of addiction and the great promise this bill has to save lives and give individuals suffering with substance use disorders a second chance. MNA proudly supports this bill, and we applaud the chief authors, Rep. Dan Schoen and MNA member Sen. Chris Eaton, for their work on this common-sense, live-saving legislation.
Medical Cannabis: Awaiting Governor’s Signature
Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Carly Melin, the authors of different bills to legalize medical marijuana, announced they had come to an agreement based on the House version of the bill, but with some changes that broaden access, while tightening restrictions to prevent misuse.
This bill will be the strictest and most regulated medical cannabis law in the country. Only patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and seizures will be eligible. It does not allow smoking of marijuana. Instead, patients can access approved forms of medical cannabis such as liquid, pill, or vapor. The bill creates a patient registry to monitor the use of prescription cannabis as well as to evaluate the health effects. Governor Dayton has said he will sign the bill next week.
MNA supports legislation that would provide compassionate relief to seriously ill patients.
Budget Issues: Signed into Law
The Governor signed the Omnibus Supplemental Budget bill into law. There are several portions of the bill that will directly affect MNA members. Highlights of Health and Human Services portion:
Construction Projects: Signed into Law
The Capital Investment Bonding bill to fund construction projects included several MNA priorities. Highlights include:
Minimum Wage: Signed into Law
For the first time in a decade, Minnesota’s minimum wage is set to increase. An estimated 325,000 hard-working Minnesotans will get a raise to $9.50 by 2016 (HF2091). The minimum wage will be indexed to inflation in 2018 to keep up with the cost of living. MNA supported this effort because poverty is a public health as well as an economic issue.
Synthetic Drugs: Signed into Law
The Governor signed a bill prohibiting the sale of synthetic drugsinto law. MNA members actively advocated for tougher prohibitions on synthetic drugs and were vocal supporters of the bill. We thank Representative Eric Simonson for considering MNA’s input as he worked to protect both the public and medical personnel affected by those under the influence of synthetic drugs.
Women’s Economic Security Act: Signed into Law
The Governor signed into law the Women’s Economic Security Act(WESA) on Mother’s Day. The WESA is the most significant women’s rights legislation in years.
The Women’s Economic Security Act:
MNA supported this legislation.
At the end of a rally outside the Massachusetts State House, a crowd of more than 500 nurses bowed their heads in a moment of silence to mark the loss of Rose…
Check out these great photos from our rally for safe patient limits and hospital profit transparency…
But I Didn’t Work There!! …and similar comments about state tax returns…. In previous articles, I have pointed out the difference between a permanent residence and a tax residence; and how this distinction is the main source of confusion among travelers, recruiters and staffing agencies who try to determine whether travel reimbursements can be […]
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