There are an estimated 3,000+ nursing students in Utah who are approaching, or have recently completed, the end of their final semester. Under Utah law, these new graduates are required to take (and pass) a national license examination in order to practice as a registered nurse. These licensing exams are administered through Pearson VUE at multiple testing sites across the state. Because of the current pandemic, testing capacity within these facilities has dramatically decreased. As students, we have been informed that it will take several months, or longer, for us to get an appointment to be tested. This delay in testing will result in our inability to practice as registered nurses for an unpredictable amount of time. 

This is an unprecedented situation surrounded by historical events as we face a worldwide pandemic. Many states are calling for more healthcare workers. We are appealing to the governor and licensing board on behalf of ourselves and other new nurse graduates from multiple universities across the state. 

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has recommended that states allow for provisional licensing to allow nursing students to be able to work and help alleviate the nursing shortage that is affecting the nation. We ask that Governor Herbert follow the lead of our neighboring state of Idaho and allow provisional licensing for eligible new graduate nursing students in Utah.