I intend to become licensed in Vermont which is a compact license state. Since I am planning to move to Vermont I can apply for a license once residency is established. The application is a web-based submission and requires you to register with Pearson in order to take the NCLEX. While applying you can select if you want a single state Vermont license or a multi-state license. Vermont requires both background checks and fingerprinting. For the background check there is a release form to complete within the online application and must be notarized and uploaded. To get fingerprints you can go to a Vermont identification center or a local law enforcement agency. You need to bring your authorization form and ID to the fingerprinting appointment. Nurses who graduated in the state of Vermont do not have to submit official transcripts, but graduates applying from out of state do need to submit transcripts to the board of nursing. Nurses who went to school outside of Vermont also need to submit a verification of education signed by the director of their program.
I found some information on the Vermont board of website for provisions for impaired nurses. It mentions how “diverting or attempting to divert drugs or equipment for unauthorized use” is considered unprofessional conduct and there will be a consequence. There is also a document called “fitness for work” which discusses the “physical, mental, and emotional ability of the nurse to perform assigned tasks competently and safely”. The fitness for work policy discusses factors that may make a nurse unfit for work such as fatigue, stress, drugs, alcohol, and physical or mental state. The fitness for work document does mention that nurses should notify the manager of any employees who may be unfit to work, which can include impaired employees. It also mentions how employers should promote safety and give adequate breaks to ensure fitness to work which I thought was great.
To protect my nursing license, I will make sure to document everything and double check it at the end of my shift. I will also make sure to always be communicating with everyone on the healthcare team, so no tasks or orders get missed during the shift. I will also always report any unsafe situations that I see.
Well, it sounds like you’ve got a solid grasp of the licensure process ahead of you in VT! It’s so interesting to read about how differently states lay out the path to licensure. I first read about VT’s position on fitness for work in another student’s post, and I too thought it was wonderful & quite progressive! I am curious, though, how employers are expected to comply, if they don’t already, with those recommendations (i.e. how/if they are enforced?) I appreciate your depth of reflection, Amy, on how to protect yourself & your license once you enter practice – there is so much to think about! Thank you, and best of luck to you in the final phase of this exciting journey toward becoming an RN!