Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and Enhancing Staffing in Senior Living Facilities

How the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Impacts Senior Living Facilities

As the demand for skilled nursing and healthcare services in senior living facilities continues to grow, staffing remains a critical challenge. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) offers a potential solution by allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) to work across state lines with a single multistate license. For senior care communities, assisted living centers, and skilled nursing facilities, the NLC can streamline staffing, enhance access to telehealth, and improve resident care.

Understanding its impact is essential for facility administrators looking to optimize workforce management and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.

The ability to hire nurses from multiple states without additional licensing barriers can help senior care providers address chronic staffing shortages. Many regions face high turnover rates among caregivers, and having a wider talent pool makes it easier to maintain stable and consistent care for residents. With an increasing number of states joining the compact, senior living facilities that take advantage of this licensing system can secure a more adaptable workforce, ultimately improving patient outcomes and staff retention.

What is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement among participating states that enables nurses to hold a single license that grants them the ability to practice in multiple states. This compact eliminates the need for nurses to apply for separate state licenses, reducing administrative delays and allowing for faster deployment of nursing staff where they are most needed. The compact has been in place for over 20 years and continues to expand, with 38 states and two territories—Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands—currently participating.

For senior living communities, this means easier access to a broader pool of qualified nurses, particularly in regions facing severe nursing shortages. Facilities that struggle with staffing can now hire experienced nurses from other states without requiring them to obtain additional licensure. This is especially beneficial for long-term care facilities and memory care units, where continuity of care is crucial for residents with complex health needs.

How the NLC Benefits Senior Living Facilities

One of the most significant advantages of the NLC for senior care facilities is improved nurse recruitment and retention. Many assisted living and skilled nursing facilities face high turnover rates, often due to licensing restrictions that prevent qualified out-of-state nurses from joining the workforce quickly. The NLC removes this barrier, allowing senior care facilities to onboard experienced professionals more efficiently.

Additionally, the NLC enhances staffing flexibility. Many continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and nursing homes operate in regions with fluctuating staffing demands. The ability to pull from a wider talent pool can help facilities adapt to seasonal spikes in demand, such as during flu outbreaks or increased admissions after hospital discharges.

Impact of NLC on Telehealth in Senior Living

Telehealth is becoming an essential component of senior healthcare, especially for residents who need routine check-ups, chronic disease management, or specialist consultations. The NLC allows nurses to provide remote care across state lines without additional licensing hurdles, making it easier for senior living facilities to offer virtual nursing assessments, medication management, and post-hospitalization follow-ups.

For assisted living and independent senior communities, this means greater access to specialized nursing care without requiring residents to leave their facilities. It also helps reduce hospital readmissions by allowing remote monitoring and early intervention for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. With telehealth adoption on the rise, facilities that leverage the NLC for staffing can provide more consistent, high-quality care while lowering costs.

Addressing Nursing Shortages in Senior Care

The aging population and increasing demand for senior care services have exacerbated the nursing shortage in assisted living and long-term care facilities. According to workforce projections, the U.S. will need over 1.1 million new nurses by 2026 to keep up with demand. The NLC helps alleviate this shortage by making it easier for qualified nurses from other states to fill vacancies in senior living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and home healthcare settings.

By participating in the NLC, senior care providers can reduce dependency on costly temporary staffing agencies. Many facilities currently rely on travel nurses or per diem staff, which can increase operating costs. With a larger, more accessible pool of permanent staff, facilities can enhance resident care while maintaining cost efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Compliance and Training Considerations for Senior Living Facilities

While the NLC offers numerous benefits, senior care administrators must ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations. Even with a multistate license, nurses must adhere to individual state laws governing elder care, medication administration, and patient safety standards. Facility leaders should work closely with nursing boards and legal teams to ensure all NLC nurses are up-to-date with state-specific requirements.

Additionally, senior care facilities should invest in ongoing training for NLC nurses to align them with facility protocols. This includes dementia care best practices, fall prevention strategies, and infection control policies—all critical areas in senior living communities. Providing structured onboarding for out-of-state nurses ensures consistency in care quality and adherence to facility standards.

Challenges to NLC Adoption in Senior Living

Despite its advantages, some states have yet to join the NLC, creating challenges for facilities operating in non-compact states. Additionally, nursing unions and advocacy groups have raised concerns about potential workforce exploitation and public safety risks. Some argue that multistate licensing could make it easier for nurses with disciplinary records to move between states undetected. Senior living administrators must carefully vet candidates and conduct thorough background checks to maintain high standards of care.

Another challenge is state-specific scope of practice laws. While the NLC provides licensing flexibility, nurses must still operate within the regulatory framework of the state where they are practicing. Senior living facilities should implement clear policies to ensure that NLC nurses understand and comply with local healthcare laws governing senior care.

The Future of Senior Living Staffing with the NLC

The adoption of the Nurse Licensure Compact is a strategic move for senior living providers looking to enhance staffing efficiency, expand telehealth services, and improve overall care quality. As more states adopt the NLC, senior living facilities will have greater access to experienced nurses, reducing reliance on expensive contract labor and minimizing staffing shortages.

Senior living communities that embrace NLC-backed hiring strategies will be better positioned to meet the evolving needs of aging populations. By integrating multistate-licensed nurses into their workforce, facilities can ensure seamless, high-quality care delivery while adapting to the challenges of a growing senior demographic. For administrators seeking to future-proof their operations, leveraging the NLC is a critical step in building a resilient, well-staffed senior care environment.

Final Thoughts

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is transforming staffing in senior living facilities by eliminating licensing barriers, improving telehealth capabilities, and providing a flexible workforce solution to combat nursing shortages. For assisted living, skilled nursing, and independent senior communities, the NLC offers a streamlined approach to hiring and retaining top nursing talent while ensuring compliance with state and federal healthcare regulations.

Senior living facility administrators should actively explore the benefits of NLC participation, integrate telehealth solutions, and optimize workforce planning to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. By doing so, they can enhance resident care, reduce staffing costs, and ensure long-term success in delivering high-quality senior healthcare services.