Last Updated on October 31, 2023
We’ve got great news for travel nurses! The nationwide enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) has grown over the past year, and it seems likely to continue to grow even more in the years to come. Let’s take a look at the newest enhanced nurse licensure compact states, and a look ahead to what other states might join the eNLC in the near future.
Who’s on the List of Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact States?
Update: As of July 2023, there are 41 eNLC states and jurisdictions in the United States. These states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State (starting July 24, 2023), West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Guam and the Virgin Islands are the newest enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states and territories, although the compact hasn’t been implemented just yet.
> Is your state in the eNLC? View an updated map of current Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact States at Nurse.org
On top of that, more states are considering joining the eNLC, with lawmakers currently hammering out the details. While Alaska, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, aren’t on the list of enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states yet, chances are pretty good that they soon will be. And as some of America’s most popular destinations for travel nurses, Alaska, New York and Washington would be especially welcome additions!
Why Is the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact Important?
Traditionally, nurses have only been able to work in the state where they’re licensed. But the eNLC lets them work in any member state with a single license, making it faster, easier and less expensive to start a new job in a different part of the country.
That’s a real advantage for nurses who are moving to a different state and need to find immediate work, as well as travel nurses who want to cut downtime and out-of-pocket expenses between assignments. It may also benefit nurses who are staying put by giving them more opportunities to treat patients in other states using telehealth technology.
The enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact also helps patients because it makes it easier for small towns or rural communities to hire out-of-state workers. In addition, because access to more nurses helps healthcare employers with their staffing shortages, many hospital groups and healthcare associations in states that haven’t yet joined the compact are pushing their local lawmakers to do so.
But that’s not the only reason why the list of Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact states is growing faster than ever before. Reports also show that nurses themselves are demanding it. For instance, a survey by the Alaska Board of Nursing found that 89% of Alaskan RNs are in favor of joining. And 87% said that they would apply for a compact nursing license if that were an option.
> Wondering if you’re eligible to apply for a multistate license? Check out our guide to the eNLC for more information on the licensing compact.
Land a Job in an eNLC State with CareerStaff!
Do you live in an eNLC state, or want to work in one? If so, we can connect you with great employment opportunities across the United States, and help you get the ball rolling on your eNLC licensure.
With assignments nationwide, CareerStaff travelers get great pay with and benefits, including direct deposit, 24/7 support, medical insurance, referral bonuses and much more! Ready to find your next assignment? Start your quick online application to connect with a personalized recruiter, or view our available travel nursing jobs today!