The Nursing License Compact (NLC) is an agreement currently between 22 states that allows one nurse to have one license to practice nursing in any state which has adopted the compact and allows states to exchange information concerning license suspensions and violations of non-residents and forward them to the state where they are licensed known as their home state, thus sparing a nurse from obtaining multiple state nursing licenses (Stoker, 2005). Benefits to the NLC include increased nurse mobility, which can have benefit with interstate commerce, and in the time of a crisis, allowing nurses to more easily participate in tele-health practices, and eliminating the need for nurses to carry multiple state licenses. The implication for a nurse to have one license to practice in any compact state provides great benefit to nurses and all Americans. Massachusetts currently does not belong to the compact, although legislation for this bill, Senate 1288 currently sits in they sits in the Ways and Means Committee. Massachusetts should adopt the Nurse Licensure Compact, and pass Senate 1288.
Reference: Stoker, J. (2005). State Changes Have an Impact on Where your Nursing License is Recognized. Home Healthcare Nurse The Journal for the Homecare and Hospice Professional. 23(9) 600. Retrieved September 22, 2008 from OvidSP database.