Georgia nurses have even greater career flexibility as Massachusetts becomes the newest member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This addition expands the program to 43 states and jurisdictions, allowing Georgia nurses to practice across state lines without the burden of obtaining multiple licenses.
Established in 2000, the NLC was created to address shortages by enabling qualified nurses to provide care — both in-person and via telehealth — in any participating state, according to Nurse.org. The compact steadily gained traction, reaching 25 states by 2015. In 2018, it evolved into the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, introducing stricter standards like mandatory state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks.
Georgia joined the eNLC in 2018, unlocking numerous benefits for nurses:
- Quick deployment to fill staffing gaps in participating states
- Seamless access to travel nursing roles across state lines
- The ability to deliver telehealth services to patients nationwide
- Increased flexibility for career growth and relocation
“The eNLC will benefit the public through increased accessibility of nursing services,” then-president of the Georgia Board of Nursing, Janice J. Izlar, said in a 2017 news release. “Being a member of the compact removes barriers to cross-border practice while continuing to maintain public safety.”
For Peach State nurses eager to explore multistate opportunities, the Georgia Board of Nursing offers resources and guidance on licensing requirements and applications.
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