Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Receives Support of CGFNS International

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 14, 2016) -  The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) enhanced NLC has received a letter of support from CGFNS International, Inc. This organization joins a list of more than 25 others (listed at www.nursecompact.org) that recognize that nursing care in the 21st century must be dynamic and fluid across state boundaries and that the NLC offers the best mechanism by which to achieve this goal.

Franklin A. Shaffer, EdD, RN, FAAN, FFNMRCSI and Chief Executive Officer of CGFNS International, Inc. comments, "CGFNS International and the National Council for State Boards of Nursing share a common purpose: Advocating for the protection of the public and its access to quality patient care while enhancing nurses' mobility. CGFNS is proud to support NCSBN as it spearheads the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact initiative and promotes the removal of barriers for cross-border practice."

Allowing nurses to have mobility across state borders, the enhanced NLC increases access to care while maintaining public protection. The enhanced NLC, which is an updated version of the current Nurse Licensure Compact, allows for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in both their home state and other NLC states. There are currently 25 states in the NLC.

The enhanced NLC enables nurses to provide telehealth nursing services to patients located across the country without having to obtain additional licenses. In the event of a disaster, nurses from multiple states can easily respond to supply vital services. Additionally, almost every nurse, including primary care nurses, case managers, transport nurses, school and hospice nurses, among many others, need to routinely cross state boundaries to provide the public with access to nursing services, and a multistate license facilitates this process.

Boards of nursing (BONs) were the first health care provider regulatory bodies to develop a model for interstate practice with the original adoption of the NLC in 1997 and its implementation in 2000. While other health care provider regulatory bodies are just getting started in this process, the NLC has been operational and successful for more than 15 years.

To learn more about the NLC, view "The Nurse Licensure Compact Explained" at https://www.ncsbn.org/364.htm. Additional information about the NLC can be found at www.nursecompact.org.

About CGFNS International, Inc.

Established in 1977, CGFNS International, Inc., based in Philadelphia, PA, USA, is an immigration-neutral, non-profit organization. It has served the global community of health professionals through its programs and services that verify and promote knowledge-based practice competencies. It is the largest credentialing evaluation organization for nursing and the only organization named in the federal statute to administer visa screening of foreign-educated nurses and other professionals in seven health care fields. In 2015, it was accorded NGO consultative status to the United Nations.

About NCSBN

Founded March 15, 1978, as an independent not-for-profit organization, NCSBN was created to lessen the burdens of state governments and bring together boards of nursing (BONs) to act and counsel together on matters of common interest. NCSBN's membership is comprised of the BONs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also 24 associate members that are either nursing regulatory bodies or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories.

NCSBN Member Boards protect the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses. These BONs regulate more than 4.5 million licensed nurses.

Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277