I plan on taking the NCLEX and becoming registered and licensed in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut is not a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact states. I will complete an application to test for the NCLEX and then I will complete an online application to become registered in the state of CT. Due to the fact that I am coming from Maine, the state of CT will have to accept my schooling to ensure that I am qualified through this program. The application will require a diploma, transcript or a student list with my name present. I couldn’t find specifics about background checks or fingerprinting but I did see that CT has the right to check my previous background checks for any criminal history. 

I found that nurses should file a petition if they feel that they themselves as a healthcare worker is unable to provide proper care or practice their profession. There is a list of skills and safety reasons that may cause the need to file a petition. The petitions should be filed due to many different reasons, such as, physical or mental illness, use of drugs or alcohol, violations of statutes, etc. There is an assistance program called HAVEN in the state of Connecticut, this program is a confidential program that helps healthcare workers that may be suffering from physical or mental health illnesses. 

There are many different ways that I can work to protect my nursing license. I think that I will get personal insurance to ensure that if the hospital won’t support me, I have insurance of my own in case anything ever happens. I also think that simple skills such as communication will help me to protect my license. I will speak to my team and I will write patient notes to ensure that I am leaving a paper trail for my shift and the care I provided. I will also follow all protocols that the hospital has to make sure that I am providing the correct patient care and documenting as I should. I will always try to find ways to protect my license while also providing the best patient care.