Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt are taking steps to implement the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows nurses with multistate licenses issued by 40 other states to practice in Pennsylvania.
The rule, which will go into effect Sept. 5, is an effort to combat severe nursing shortages and decreased healthcare access in the state, according to an Aug. 22 press release.
Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold multiple licenses through the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact will be permitted to practice in the state. The NLC is an agreement among 41 states and territories that recognizes licensed nurses from member states.
"The Shapiro Administration is committed to ensuring that Pennsylvanians can receive top-notch care from licensed, qualified health care professionals," Mr. Schmidt said in the release. "By implementing this first phase of Pennsylvania's engagement in the NLC, we are expanding opportunities for patients and providing hospitals and health systems with access to an approved, vetted group of licensed RNs and LPNs."
In November 2022, a survey by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania showed a 30 percent vacancy rate for registered nurses.