HB1706 NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT

The NLC allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in person or electronically in both their primary state of residence and other NLC states. Licensure requirements are aligned in NLC states for those nurses applying for a multistate license. Requirements include submitting to a federal and state fingerprint-based criminal background check, passing the NCLEX Examination, and having no restrictions on their license. - 43 jurisdictions are currently part of the NLC.

As expert nurses deeply embedded in the challenges and triumphs of our profession, we strongly advocate for Illinois to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Here’s why:

·     Immediate Relief for Overburdened Nurses: Daily, nurses across our state confront immense pressures, often operating in high-stress environments where additional hands are desperately needed. The NLC facilitates the rapid deployment of nursing professionals across state lines, providing much-needed support and respite for our workforce.

·     Securing Essential School Health Services: For school nurses, the NLC is not just a convenience; it's a necessity. Our students frequently travel across state borders for sports and other activities. Without the Compact, a school nurse’s inability to provide care across state lines could mean students must travel with a parent or not participate at all. The NLC would ensure uninterrupted care for our students, wherever their education and activities take them.

·     Enhancing Patient Care Across the Board: Every patient deserves uninterrupted, high-quality care. Currently, Illinois’s exclusion from the NLC disrupts this continuity, especially in border areas where patients might seek or require services across state lines. The NLC would ensure seamless care for patients, fostering better health outcomes.

·     Economic and Competitive Necessity: Being outside the NLC not only isolates Illinois economically but also places our nurses at a competitive disadvantage. With 41 states participating, the NLC has proven its value in enhancing the mobility and flexibility of the nursing workforce, traits that are indispensable in modern healthcare.

·     A Call to Action for Our Legislators: We are on the front lines, doing everything in our power to uplift and sustain the health of our communities. Now, more than ever, we need you, our legislators, to stand with us. By passing the NLC, you ensure that we, as nurses, can continue to provide the best possible care to every patient who needs us.

Joining the NLC isn’t just a bureaucratic change—it’s a transformative shift that will bring immense benefits to healthcare in Illinois, echoing the dedication we nurses bring to our patients every day.