Nurses are astonishing and inspiring to many of us. Not only are they expected to provide quality, compassionate care to patients and work in sometimes difficult and demanding situations but they are also held to a very rigorous standard when it comes to keeping up with licensure requirements, continuing education, and more. Working long shifts, on their feet, while caring for strangers makes them heroes in my book.
Traveling nurses are no exception. This unique nursing position can be an especially exciting and fulfilling vocation for those who enjoy caring for others and thrive on the variety of working in different environments.
Whether you are just exploring the idea of becoming an RN in Nevada or are already in the field, here is some information to help guide you through the process for obtaining a traveling nursing position in Nevada.
What Is a Traveling Nurse?
A traveling nurse is a registered nurse who travels to different locations to provide care on a short-term basis, usually 8-26 weeks depending on the specific need. Traveling nurses typically enjoy competitive pay and great benefits, and housing costs are covered with each assignment.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Traveling Nurse?
If you are someone who enjoys traveling to different parts of the state you live in or various parts of the country, traveling nursing affords you the opportunity to find work on a short-term basis in the area(s) of your choice. There are several benefits of being a traveling nurse, including:
- Choosing when and where you work
- Working with world-class doctors in different healthcare facilities
- Interacting with a variety of patients
- Gaining valuable experience through different scenarios encountered with different assignments
- Seizing the opportunity to see the sights in different areas of the state or country, which can help you determine where you might someday want to live
- Breaking the monotony of doing the same job day in and day out
Licensing Requirements for Traveling Nurses
Depending on the area of the country where you are working, there are some requirements that are the same and some which differ from state to state.
Getting your state-specific nursing license is a basic requirement that must be fulfilled prior to working in a given state. If you work through a traveling nursing service, you will likely have a recruiter to help you acquire your nursing licensure and/or nurse license verification prior to beginning a new assignment in a new state.
Twenty-four states participate in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) which sets forth uniform licensing requirements that will protect the public while allowing for increased access to care. These states allow nurses with a multi-state license to practice in their home state as well as any other states participating in the eNLC.
Nevada does not participate in the eNLC; however, nurses who are licensed in other states can apply for license by reciprocity. Candidates working towards initial licensure must follow the requirements listed below.
Nevada Traveling Nurse Requirements
Nurses must use the secure, cloud-based Nevada Nurse Portal to apply for, view, and update their licenses. According to the Nevada State Board of Nursing, here are some basic requirements to be aware of:
The Application Process for RNs: Those applying for permanent licensure must first graduate from an accredited nursing degree program. RN licensure applicants can use the Nevada Board of Nursing’s Nurse Portal to begin the licensure process. Graduates who return the required paperwork will receive an Interim Permit.
New licensure applicants have to be fingerprinted and undergo a criminal background check.
They will also need to register with Pearson to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is a standardized exam used to determine the applicant’s ability to perform entry-level nursing functions with proficiency.
Criminal Background Check: Certain criminal offenses are in violation of the Nevada Nurse Practice Act and can prevent you from getting your nursing license in Nevada. All those who apply for a nursing license must answer five screening questions as part of the licensure process. This is in addition to the State of Nevada and FBI criminal background check and fingerprinting that are also required. Learn more about criminal convictions and how they may affect your licensure here.
Fingerprinting: You must have fingerprinting completed in order to be a registered nurse in Nevada. Once you have submitted your information to the Board, you can have your fingerprints done using the code numbers that they provide you. The Board recommends using an authorized provider that allows you to submit your fingerprints electronically.
If you are living outside of Nevada, you will have to request fingerprint cards from the Nevada Nursing Board as electronic submissions are not available.
When all of the requirements are completed, you will receive a permanent licensure.
If you are an out-of-state applicant, click here to see requirements for your Nevada Nursing License.
Nevada RN Licensure Renewal
RNs must renew their licensure every two years. The following requirements need to be met to renew:
- 45 hours of nursing-related continuing education in the previous 24 months
- At least 800 hours of APN practice in the last five years
- Current collaborative agreement
- Completion of the child support section of the application (even if you don’t have a child)
- Answer all five eligibility screening questions
- Complete fingerprinting
Why So Much Fingerprinting?
It is true that nurses need to be fingerprinted not only upon initial licensure but also for licensure renewal every two years. Depending on the employer, this may even have to be done yearly.
Traveling nurses often have to submit fingerprints even more frequently since they are licensed and fingerprinted separately for each state they work in. While this can be an inconvenience, it is worth it since these requirements are put into place to protect our most vulnerable populations.
We love nurses! Fingerprinting Express is dedicated to assisting traveling nurses with the licensing process to ensure things go smoothly. We even guarantee our fingerprints, so if they are rejected, which is not unusual, especially for seasoned nurses, we will take them again for free. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact us.
Fingerprinting Express is a top Livescan Fingerprinting provider for traveling nurses with four convenient locations in Nevada. If you are a nurse in need of fingerprinting for licensure or renewal, call us today with any questions or to schedule your appointment at 1-800-919-0227 or walk in when it is most convenient for you.
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Fingerprinting Nevada’s Nurses
