Nursing License Compact - Impact on Oregon Occupational Health Nurses _ Your Input Needed

• Do you need to maintain nursing licenses in multiple states in order to perform your job?
• How does that impact your performance or ability to do your work?
• In what way would having a single license to practice in multiple states improve your patient care, professional standing with your employer or practice/job satisfaction?

At the Summer Board of Directors' meeting, the Board approved participation in the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) Advisory Group on the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC.)

The NLC is an agreement that allows nurses, who are licensed in their state of residence, to practice in multiple states that are part of the compact. As of August 2023, Idaho is one of 39 states that are members of the compact. Washington is in the process of implementing. California has legislation pending. Multiple efforts to pass enabling legislation in Oregon have been unsuccessful.

The intent of the compact is to streamline the licensure process for nurses who practice in multiple states.  Occupational Health Nurses (OHN) often work for companies with locations in multiple states or provide follow-up care or case management services to employees who live in other states.

The OCN Advisory Group is interested in understanding how the NLC might affect nurses living in Oregon. Is there a problem for Oregon nurses that joining the NLC might resolve? If so, what exactly is that problem and what evidence is there to define the problem and evaluate whether the NLC is a viable solution.

We are interested in hearing from OSAOHN members and followers. Comment on this post. Reach out to the BOD. Members will soon get this message through Constant Comment so watch your email. We want to hear from you so the interests and challenges faced by OHNs can be heard.