If you’ve been working as a nurse for a long time now, then you probably remember the process of getting your license rather vaguely. If, however, you ended up needing to get recertified, all of those memories would flood right back, and you wouldn’t feel very happy about it. Plus, given that you have a lot of experience, you would probably feel that the situation isn’t fair and that the fact that you are great at your job should mean that you don’t need to be sort of tested once again.

Well, there is a chance that you might not need to be tested again, thanks to a little something called Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): https://www.ncsbn.org/nlc-faqs.htm

Anyway, why am I even mentioning the idea of having to be relicensed? Well, there are a few scenarios in which you might get worried about your license not being valid. For example, you might want to move to a different state due to your private life, and you don’t want to risk not being able to work in that new state. Or, you might want to adopt the lifestyle of a travel nurse, which can carry the same risk.

If you’ve been worrying about this for a while, then there is a chance that you have started doing some research about it already. During the research, you have come across the NLC mentioned above, and you have started wondering whether a compact nursing license could be the right solution for you. The possibility of being able to work in multiple states without worrying about licenses every time you move sounds amazing, doesn’t it? So, it’s no wonder that you are trying to figure out if this is something you can do.

What Is NLC?

Before I get to answering the question of whether you can get such a license that would allow you to work in multiple states or not, let me first give you an explanation of what NLC is. The Nursing Licensure Compact allows nurses to work across multiple states with the same license. Now, there is a sort of a trick here, however. Perhaps calling it a trick is not right, since it is merely a requirement that needs to be met, and not by you for that matter.

In simple words, this type of license allows you to work in all compact states, which further indicates that some states aren’t part of the compact. For those states that are, you won’t need to obtain any additional licenses to work as a nurse. On the other hand, if you’re planning to move to a place that isn’t a part of such an agreement, you will still need to meet some additional requirements. We’ll get to this part a bit later, though.

Can You Get The License?

If you have been reading carefully, then you must have already understood what the answer to this specific question is. In short – yes. You can certainly get the multistate license if you find that you need it, and it is often a good idea for all nurses to get it even if they don’t need it at a particular point in time because you never know what might happen in the future. Does this, however, mean that you won’t have to even think about meeting any requirements to get permission to work in all the compact states?

Well, the answer to that one is no. In different words, there are still some requirements that you need to meet to be able to apply for this specific solution. The good thing is that the requirements aren’t complicated at all and that you are probably already eligible for this particular license.

Simply said, there are only two requirements that you need to have met. For starters, you need to have proof of residence in a compact state. And, then, you also need to have an active Registered Nurse license in that particular state. As you can see, there is nothing complicated about it. So, if you find that you do meet the requirements, feel free to apply for the NLC, further explained here, and get the opportunity to work anywhere you want.

Which States Can You Work In With It?

As mentioned above, not all states are a part of the compact, meaning that you need to check this before making any concrete moves towards relocating somewhere or applying for the NLC. Currently, 38 states are already a part of this agreement or that are pending participation. So, what you have to do is check precisely whether the states that you are interested in are a part of this solution, which won’t be difficult, as the info is easily accessible online.

It’s a tough world out there. But one good thing to come out of Covid is that it resulted in a lot of people rethinking their current roles. That means there is a lot out there, but there are also a lot of people looking. If you’re thinking of moving on, take a look at our guide to see how you can stand out – the right way!

CV/Portfolio

A lot of people say, and might even think, they know what they’re doing when it comes to CVs, but if you were to talk to a recruitment agency or your HR department, you’d probably get some bizarre stories about gimmick resumes, people handing in rejection letters written in “You’re too good for us” as a good review and even things like printed photos of a CV. Don’t be those people.

A resume has a very simple and restrictive format. Stick to it. You want to stand out for your accomplishments, not a reason to make your employer laugh.

Save the gimmicks for the portfolio. If you want to showcase your skills and talents more practically, that’s where you can do it.

Set up either a professional social media account or website. Website builders are quite simple and if your skills have any visual element to them whatsoever, you’ve got a great place to showcase all your work.

Business attire

Depending on the industry, you’re going to want to dress smart for your interview. This needs a degree of judgment. There is no point in showing up in covering up tattoos for a role as a tattoo artist, for example. But more conservative industries and general companies take “professionalism” seriously.

Business professional attire is the go-to in these conditions. It’s a little more subjective for women. You have options that range from pencil skirts, at different lengths, blazers or cardigans, blouses, or…well any number of top variations. Business professional attire in men is easier to narrow down. It’s quite limiting, but that means less space for interpretation. The best thing to go with here is a dark suit, either in blue, black, or grey, add a tie, professional shoes and if you’ve got a decent haircut, you’re done.

If you’re a woman, keep makeup simple with any boldness going into the lips, and if you’re not, again, unless the industry welcomes such things, keep the makeup at home. Progress is made slowly.

Answering questions

If you manage to get an interview for your dream job, make sure to do your research. You will need to study the company you are applying for and the questions around the role you are applying for.

For the company, you want to know more than what the About Us page on their company websites. Take a look at the company’s purpose, usually found in a white paper. Note down what drives them, what the “mission” is, what makes them stand out from others, and what challenges they are facing.

Start by typing their name into Google under the News tab. You might get a mixed bag but mentioning a bad news story from a “that seems like a challenge I can help with” perspective will show that you’re in the know and willing to help. If it’s good news, mention that you were impressed by it.

Take a look at competitors, too. You can point out what you think they are doing differently that works and how you might navigate that in this role. Expand into the industry as a whole and ask yourself (or Google) what the industry provides, what is highest in demand, what are the latest developments, etc.

All of this goes for networking opportunities too. Go in there knowing what you want to say, and it’ll show that you know what you’re talking about.

Networking

So now you know how to stand out, you need somewhere to stand out. Networking seems like a fading concept, or exclusively left to Wall Street and politicians gabbing in the nearest bar, but you’d be surprised at the number of opportunities there are.

First, there is the online opportunity. Fix up your LinkedIn account to get networking online. Another overlooked platform is Meetup, which typically markets itself as a way to make friends, but it also hosts business meetups. There are also virtual networking events, where you can take part without even leaving your home. They’ve gained momentum since lockdown, so take advantage and look up web conferencing near you.

Take a look at job fairs, professional associations, public speaking events, and professional conferences to find people to network with. Don’t go in talking about how you need work, however. Don’t even mention the idea of a job. Instead, engage on other topics, and impress with your discussion. When you’re done, you can follow up with a letter that forwards the article you mentioned, the concept you were talking about in more detail, etc.

Even if you don’t get a job out of it, networking can help you get advice from industry peers and higher-ups, and you can gain a chance to develop your career or move out of entry-level spaces, or even change careers entirely.

To decide if Human Resources is the proper career path for you, you must first determine what you want to accomplish in HR. The good news is that anybody with a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or a Ph.D. may work in human resources. However, keep in mind that the fewer college degrees you have, the fewer managerial prospects you will have. Here are some things to consider if you want to work in human resources.

What Are Human Resources Degrees and What Do They Do?

A degree in human resources is required if you want to remain in HR and advance in your career. Companies favor bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, particularly management jobs. Companies strongly prefer individuals with a Ph.D. and/or a Juris Doctor degree for director jobs. As the complexity of employment law develops, legal expertise becomes more critical.

You may enter the field with a bachelor’s degree in human resources (HR) or business management and HR experience. Master’s degrees in HR and labor relations are becoming more widespread in the workplace. Since organizations need to deal with data and digital information, a minor in data science, IT, or computer science may be useful.

Human Resources Careers without a College Degree

There are programs available at different levels of education for people who may not want to pursue a college degree. Many colleges and universities offer certificate programs in human resources or similar fields. Before enrolling in a program, determine who it is designed for since some workshops and seminars are just for HR professionals.

An associate’s degree in human resources is also offered for interested individuals. These two-year programs may help you get an entry-level job with a corporation. Although an associate’s degree in human resources (HR) is uncommon, it might serve as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree.

HR May Be Handled In Several Ways

Transferring from another field is another way to join the HR profession. Many professionals with a wide range of educational backgrounds have entered and thrived in the HR business. This is a regular occurrence in human resources recruitment. For example, an IT specialist may work in HR’s recruitment department. Because of their years of IT knowledge, they can identify qualities in prospective applicants. Diverse backgrounds give the HR department and the rest of the firm unique insights and experiences.

Is Obtaining A College Diploma Required?

Your goals entirely decide it. If you’re interested in HR but unsure if it’s the proper career choice, take a course or seminar on HR basics. You may learn about human resources in this manner without spending a lot of time or money. You may also take certificate classes to help you get an entry-level job. However, your advancement prospects will be minimal since firms value a bachelor’s degree more than experience.

Consider majoring in human resources or human relations if you want to work in HR after graduation. You should also choose a minor that is relevant to your majors, such as data or computer science. Prepare to get a master’s degree since many companies favor master’s degree holders for managerial roles.

A firm’s HR department is vital because it protects the corporation and its workers against litigation and other issues. The ideal technique to get into the HR business is determined by your interests and career goals; there is no right or wrong solution. There are many HR positions available. Examine your alternatives and decide which ones appeal to you.

At Institute for Applied Management & Law Inc., they have specialists ready to assist you in selecting the most appropriate course. To get started, please contact them or visit their website.