Vermont joins national compact to make it easier for nurses to practice here

Faced with a nursing shortage deemed a "crisis" by state lawmakers, Vermont has joined a national compact with 38 other states to make it easier for nurses looking to work in Vermont to get a license.

Secretary of State Jim Condos said in a news release the Nurse Licensure Compact "provides mobility from the other 38 member states to enter into practice in Vermont without additional licensure requirements."

"Additionally, the (nursing compact) aligns with our goal to reduce barriers to licensure while ensuring public protection," Condos said. "Finally, the Compact enables rapid onboarding of vetted, competent nurses from other states into Vermont health care facilities at a time when the need has never been greater."

COVID-19 has exacerbated long-term nursing shortages in Vermont, with some hospitals exceeding 80% capacity of inpatient beds in recent weeks, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data.

Read more: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2022/02/02/vt-joins-compact-ease-nursing-hires/9312538002/