Renewal
How will I know when my license has been renewed?
The North Carolina Board of Nursing no longer issues the wallet size license card or mails notification that your license has been renewed or reinstated. Instead, you can verify your licensure here. The Board of Nursing's electronic database serves as the primary source of licensure information for nurses in North Carolina.
Practice
Can an LPN or RN work in a position that is below his or her level of licensure?
A licensed nurse may accept and work in a position that he or she has the training to do and that is within his or her scope of practice. A RN has the training to perform LPN and NA functions and therefore could accept a position identified for either of these levels, however, the nurse that does so would still be required to act prudently based on his or her educational preparation and would be held to that standard.
Licensure
Nurse License Compact
The North Carolina Board of Nursing has participated in the Nurse Licensure Compact since July 1, 2000. This interstate compact is the basis for the mutual recognition model of nursing regulation among states whose legislatures have enacted the compact. These states are called compact (party) states. Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin are participating in this interstate compact. Each of these compact states recognizes and honors the nursing licenses issued by other compact states.
Exam
Is the NCLEX pass rate history of a nursing program important?
The NCLEX pass rate is just one important factor in determining what nursing program you choose. A program which consistently shows NCLEX pass rates of at least 85% does indicate that students have been prepared well and that the program is successful in educating competent nursing graduates. Many states require that nursing programs maintain a certain minimum NCLEX pass rate annually in order to remain in good standing with the board of nursing. This rate may be different from state to state, but in general a pass rate of at least 85% is required. A program's licensing exam pass rate is influenced greatly by the number of students who take the exam that year. One or two individuals who do not pass the licensing exam can greatly influence the passing rate of a small graduating class. In order to accurately understand a nursing program's success, always look at how many individuals took the exam each year and then look at the pass rate.
Education
NURSE Corps Scholarship Program
In exchange for at least two years of service at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses, the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program pays tuition, required fees, other reasonable costs including required books, clinical supplies, laboratory expenses, and a monthly stipend of 1,344 for the 2017-2018 academic year.
The program enables students accepted or enrolled in diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs, including RN to BSN Bridge Programs to receive funding for tuition, fees and other educational costs in exchange for working at an eligible Critical Shortage Facility upon graduation.
The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program is a selective program of the U.S. Government that helps alleviate the critical shortage of nurses currently experienced by certain types of health care facilities located in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients work at these facilities for at least two years, earning the same competitive salary and benefits as any new hire.
Career
What is a Licensed Vocational Nurse?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. The nature of the direction and supervision required varies by state and job setting. In the U.S. states of California and Texas LPNs are called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs).
Organizations
Emergency Nurses Association
Originally aimed at teaching and networking, the organization has evolved into an authority, advocate, lobbyist, and voice for emergency nursing. ENA has 40,000+ members and continues to grow, with members representing over 35 countries around the world.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide an organization through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing.