TEMPLATE LETTER FOR WRITING LEGISLATORS
Locate your State Legislators at
Date
The Honorable _________
State Senator/Representative Address
Dear Senator/Representative _______:
I am a member of the [State Chapter Name] and I am writing to request [the introduction of/your support for] legislation to establish a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses to utilize their nursing licenses across state lines, thus decreasing the nursing shortage, organizing first-responder efforts, and increasing the overall efficiency of the healthcare in [State of residence].
Occupational and environmental health nursing is the specialty practice that provides for and delivers health and safety programs and services to workers, worker populations and community groups. The practice focuses on promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury and protection from work related and environmental hazards.
The NLC is a nation-wide effort, which began in 1998, authorizing a multi-state licensure, in which licensed nurses are granted the authority to practice in multiple states as long as the nurses have established primary residence and have obtained a state license within a state that has joined the compact. To date, 22 states have passed enabling NLC legislation.
I am requesting NLC implementation in [State of residence] to:
- increase mobility for nurses;
- improve contact to licensed nurses during a disaster or other emergency situations that may require qualified nursing services;
- afford better access to nursing care; and
- provide a more uniformed system for the sharing of disciplinary and licensure issues with other NLC states.
[State Chapter Name] supports the interstate compact for nursing licensure, which enables occupational and environmental health nurses to effectively serve their clients, regardless of the client’s location. As a resident of [State of residence], I am requesting your leadership in getting the NLC in our State.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) for registered (RNs) has approved the NLC and for licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs), and I hope you will do what you can to get this important measure enacted in our State. Please let me know if you would like additional information.
Sincerely,
