AMS Clinician Spotlight Carolyn H.
Meet Carolyn, Our Featured Nurse with a Passion for Corrections We had the pleasure of speaking with Carolyn H., a dedicated nurse with over 20 years of experience in corrections. She has been working with American Medical Staffing for a year and shares with us her journey into nursing, her hobbies, and what she enjoys about being a nurse with AMS. When we asked Carolyn about her specialty in nursing, she proudly responded with “corrections”. She has been passionate about nursing since her childhood when her grandmother was sick and ended up in a nursing home. She recalls her grandmother reporting on the nurses at the front desk, and it sparked a fire in her to become a nurse who would treat patients with respect and kindness. Carolyn enjoys word and number puzzles as well as watching movies, but her true passion lies in nursing. When asked what she enjoys about being a nurse with AMS, she responded, “I like the contact. They are responsive and get back to the nurses pretty quick. When I actually got the position that I have now, it just ruled and I appreciate that. Just the response time was really good.” For fellow travel nurses, Carolyn’s advice is to make sure they find a position that they enjoy doing. She acknowledges that hopping around can be tiresome, but it’s crucial travel nurses find a role that they are passionate about. In closing, Carolyn shares that she is currently pursuing her RN. We applaud Carolyn for her dedication to nursing and her desire to continue growing and advancing in her field. Thank you, Carolyn, for sharing your story with us and for being an incredible clinician. We appreciate your hard work and dedication to your patients and AMS.
Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation Updates
Tracking Progress: A State-by-State Look at Pending Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation Many states are proposing Nurse Licensure Compact legislation to increase the pool of available nurses for hire due to the growing demand for nursing professionals in the healthcare industry. Currently, several states have pending legislation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). New York: Governor Hochul proposed legislation for New York to join both the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and the Nurse Licensure Compact. The state currently has pending legislation for this. The proposal was referred to New York’s Higher Education Committee in July of 2022 and Bill A10559 is still currently in the Assembly. Rhode Island: Rhode Island presents an intriguing situation. The state was in the original NLC but didn’t join the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. This requires nurses with Rhode Island licenses to obtain a new nursing license if they wish to work in compact states. The state has proposed two bills, House Bill 7268 and Senate Bill 163. The House has tasked a commission with reviewing nursing employment data and practice regulations for HB 7268. It is due to report by April 13, 2023. Michigan: After Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed House Bill 4046 in Michigan, the legislature proposed another bill. Currently, the House Ways and Means Committee is reviewing the NLC legislation, which has progressed from its committee stage. If the review is positive, it will then proceed to the floor of Michigan’s House of Representatives for voting. Alaska: Alaska proposed bills to its House of Representatives and Senate to join the NLC, but the committee has referred these bills without scheduling any public hearings yet. However, this move by Alaska could potentially pave the way for travel nurses to practice in some of the most remote and breathtaking regions of the country. Minnesota: In March 2022, the Senate approved Minnesota’s membership in the Nurse Licensure Compact, but legislation is still pending. Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania signed the NLC into law on July 1, 2021, but the date of implementation is yet to be determined. Until then, nurses with multi-state licenses are not allowed to practice in the state, and nurses residing in Pennsylvania cannot apply for a multi-state license. Ohio: Ohio signed the NLC into law on July 1, 2021, and the implementation began on January 1, 2023. This means that nurses from other compact states will be able to work in Ohio, and Ohio nurses may apply for a multi-state license. Keep an eye out later in the year to see how these bills progress and if they will be put to a vote by their respective legislatures. Looking to travel to a new state on your next assignment? We have a searchable map to make your job hunt easier!