I intend to obtain my license by examination in Massachusetts. Massachusetts is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state. The application is web-based and that is how it is completed and submitted. The application I am filing requires an official transcript to be sent directly from the school because it will not be accepted if sent by the applicant. However, it does not require a sign off from the director of the program. In Massachusetts at the time of application, the applicant has to authorize the state to be able to perform a background check to meet the Good Moral Character requirement. There is a notarized CORI acknowledgement form that is filled out. In Massachusetts the requirements for license by examination are that you have graduated from an accredited/board-approved nursing program, are of good moral character, and have passed the NCLEX. Massachusetts does not require fingerprinting for nursing licensure.
In Massachusetts, a nurse who holds a valid license holds a duty to report to the board. This means if a nurse holding a valid license directly observes another nurse abuse a patient, practice nursing while impaired by the abuse of a substance or divert controlled substances then they are mandated to report this to the Board. They do this by submitting a written report to the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Board of Nursing. The state of Massachusetts has a Board of Registration in Nursing, Substance Addiction Recovery Program. This program is confidential and is for nurses who need help recovering from addiction. This program will allow for the nurse to be monitored during their recovery and will help guide them to return to safe nursing practice.
To protect myself and my license from legal issues I will make certain that I am aware of the guidelines of my state and hospital. Prior to practicing in my state, I will perform research and become knowledgeable in regard to policies of the institution and the state guidelines for compliance with the standards of conduct. Also, becoming familiar with what falls under the nursing scope of practice is important because I would want to make sure that the care, I’m providing is within my scope of practice to avoid any legal issues.
Well, it sounds like you’ve got a solid grasp of the licensure process ahead of you in MA! It’s so interesting to read about how differently states lay out the path to licensure. I appreciate your plan to know the MA SNPA – I figured if I repeated it enough times in class, it might stick! 🙂 Thank you, Alexis, and best of luck to you in the final phase of this exciting journey toward becoming an RN!