As I approach the end of nursing school, I have begun the process of figuring out where I desire to work as well as where I am going to take my board exam. As of now I have already accepted a position at Yale New Haven in Connecticut in which I will be taking my board exam in the state of Connecticut to obtain my Connecticut Nursing License. Though there are many states that are considered compact states because a license in that state allows one to work in other contact states, Connecticut is not. This would mean that I would not be able to work in compact states with my Connecticut Nursing License and vice versa. In terms of applying to take my nursing boards, I must have my transcript from an accredited nursing program to prove that I completed the required education to take the NCLEX. All this information is submitted online in which no paper copies are accepted at this current time. Apart from my transcript I just need to pass my licensure exam in which neither a background check nor finger printing in required by the state of Connecticut. However, employers may ask for such if they so desire. 

            When investigating further on the Connecticut Board of Nursing’s website, I can see guidelines, disciplinary actions, as well as statutes and regulations. One of these is the mandatory reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This section discusses how licensed health care providers are legislatively mandated to report any suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation that they may witness. The Connecticut Board of Nursing also has other important links including rules of practice, pronouncement of death by a registered nurse, and guidelines for medical protocols. Though there is a lot of information to sort through, I feel confident after looking into the Connecticut Board of Nursing’s website that if there are questions I have on state protocols or guidelines that I can access them if need be. 

            One of the main sections on the Connecticut Board of Nursing’s site discusses disciplinary actions that have occurred in the state. This allows anyone to view the current list of license suspensions if they so choose to do so. Regarding protecting my license, I plan to get malpractice insurance as soon as I begin practicing as a registered nurse to ensure that I do the best I can to protect myself and my license. Though there is not a perfect system to avoid legal issues I hope that I can protect my license by adequately reporting mistakes and documenting accordingly on each of my patients and my interactions with them. Overall, through this research I will be especially careful in protecting my license as well as know how to attain my nursing license in the state of Connecticut.