Attaining and Protecting Your Professional Nursing License

I intend on becoming licensed by examination in Connecticut. Connecticut is not a nurse licensure compact state.  The application to test for CT is only online and no paper applications will be accepted. In order to apply for testing, the applicant must complete a nursing program that meets the Connecticut State Agencies outline. The applicant will need to apply to the DPH and register with Pearson VUE. To sit for the examination, a completed application and fee of $180 must be paid in full. The student must also provide a transcript from the school verifying the award of degree, diploma, or certificate in nursing.  If you are eligible to test, applicants will receive an Authorization To Test (ATT) letter in the mail or through email and that will have the examination location, time, and date. After completing their schools nursing requirements, the student is granted “graduate status.” This means that a person can start working under proper supervision for at most 90 days following graduation. During this time, the student will need to pass the NCLEX in the 90 days.  I believe that in CT you need a background check, drug screen, and fingerprinting in order to become licensed. You can complete this process either online or at any of the state police departments through appointment.

Mandatory reporting for CT was enacted in 2015. The nurse must report physical illness or loss of motor skill not limited to the aging process, abuse of drugs/alcohol, illegal, incompetent, or negligent conduct in the practice of the health care professional, possession, use, prescription of use or distribution of controlled substances, misrepresentation or concealment of a license to practice, and violation of any general statues. There is now an alternative, voluntary, and private intervention program for rehabbing nurses with an underlying condition. After completion of the program, they are not subject to investigation or disciplinary action by the nursing board. It is important to remember everything that can get you in trouble while on the job. Working in nursing is a trust based profession and every time you clock into work it is necessary to remind yourself that this is a privilege. The nursing license should be met with respect and the nurse should put forth that respect by appropriately conducting nursing activities.