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Multi-State Nursing Compact Gets Nod In Healthcare Committee

Pictured: College of DuPage Nursing student Monashay Pertee, April 2013
COD Newsroom
Pictured: College of DuPage Nursing student Monashay Pertee, April 2013
Pictured: College of DuPage Nursing student Monashay Pertee, April 2013
Credit COD Newsroom
Pictured: College of DuPage Nursing student Monashay Pertee, April 2013

Florida’s nursing profession could see some new recruits.  A plan to let Florida join a multi-state licensure compact is working its way through the legislature .

Under the plan by Republican Representative Cary Pigman, nurses who receive their certification in a participating state could also practice in Florida without having to go through additional training. The aim is meant to recruit more nurses, and Pigman says he sees more upsides than drawbacks.

“It would allow Florida to have access to what’s going on in 25 other states, potentially 30 states, whereas now we’re just aware of what’s going on in our own state with regards to investigations of licensure," he said.

The bill would let Florida offer the multi-state license option. The move is part of ongoing state efforts to lower healthcare costs while increasing patient access to physicians.

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Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas. She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. When she’s not working, Lynn spends her time watching sci-fi and action movies, writing her own books, going on long walks through the woods, traveling and exploring antique stores. Follow Lynn Hatter on Twitter: @HatterLynn.