One of the most persistent challenges in US healthcare is the inequitable distribution of care, influenced by a combination of social, economic, and geographic factors. Communities in rural or underserved urban areas often face significant hurdles, including limited healthcare facilities, lack of reliable transportation, and critical shortages of medical professionals. For nurse leaders, these are daily operational realities that impact patient care and staff well-being.
Addressing these gaps often requires bringing in nurses from other regions or leveraging virtual care. Both strategies expand the reach of skilled professionals, enhance continuity of care, and improve workforce satisfaction. However, a major historical obstacle has stood in the way: traditional state-by-state nurse licensure.
A barrier to care – state-by-state licensing – may become a thing of the past
A barrier to nurse mobility and virtual care has historically been the complex, time-consuming, and costly process of obtaining and maintaining multiple state licenses. This can complicate the ability of nurses to practice in new locations. Licensing hurdles can make it hard for healthcare systems to respond quickly, due to administrative burdens and delays.
For nurse leaders, the state-by-state licensure requirement has meant a smaller talent pool to draw from, especially during public health crises or seasonal population surges. It complicates rapid response efforts and limits the ability to use telehealth to its full potential, as providers must be licensed in the state where the patient is located.
The NLC solution: a single, multi-state license
Now, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is changing the landscape, offering nurse leaders a powerful tool for building a more flexible and resilient workforce. The NLC simplifies licensure for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs), allowing them to have one multistate license that enables them to practice in both their home state and other participating compact states.
Nurses holding an NLC license can seamlessly cross state lines — physically or virtually — to provide care. This model streamlines the administrative process, removes redundant expenses for nurses and employers, and unlocks a new level of workforce agility for healthcare organizations.
