Once I graduate from UNE I plan to work in Maine and get my license in Maine. Maine is a Licensure compact state. This means that if a nurse is licensed in a different compact state, they will not need to reapply for licensure unless they plan to live in Maine. The application process is all electronic via the Maine Board of Nursing Website and only costs $75. The application does require an official transcript of the person’s education status. UNE will provide their graduates with a list of dates and times to take the NCLEX exam and can schedule a time for you. The state of Maine will require a full criminal background check during the application process. The background check will be completed via the Maine Department of Public Safety. Fingerprints will be obtained as well. Once these screenings are completed and passed then the application can progress.
After listening to the presentation from the District Attorney’s Office and the Medical Professionals Health Program, I have learned a lot of specifics about registered nursing in Maine in conjunction with the law. A few points that I did not know is that our nursing license will expire at midnight on your birthday. If the nurse were to practice with an expired license then they would be fined $150 by the state because it is a criminal offense even though they may have been practicing the day before. I have learned a lot of ways that I can ensure that my license is protected from legal issues such as hiring a personal attorney. Every nurse will be covered under their facility’s legal team, but the healthcare systems are more worried about their public image than the individual hence hiring a personal law official to provide an extra layer of protection. I also hope to not need an attorney as I will document everything that I do as well as perform care cautiously but effectively.
Thank you, Isabella – it sounds like you have a solid understanding of the process of applying for licensure by examination in ME. I appreciate the research you’ve done & hearing about how you plan to protect your license, and more importantly, the patients under your care. Thank you for reflecting on ways you can protect your license, especially through thorough & timely documentation. Well done!