[eivan]

Further information on February 14 announcement
BY: Barbara L. Nichols, Chief Executive Officer, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — FEBRUARY 20, 2007 — The VisaScreen® Certification Program is a federally mandated immigration screening program for certain foreign health professionals seeking an occupational visa to the United States. CGFNS is designated by U.S. immigration law to administer this program. Pursuant to its mandate under Section 212(a)(5)(C) of the U.S. Immigration Nationality Act, CGFNS has determined that those Philippine nurses who were sworn in as licensed nurses in the Philippines following their passing the compromised June 2006 licensure examination are not eligible for the issuance of a VisaScreen certificate. CGFNS has further determined that the June 2006 passers are able to overcome this bar and qualify for issuance of a VisaScreen certificate by taking the equivalent of Tests 3 and 5 on a future Philippine nursing exam.

Link to whole article:
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/about/...lippines.shtml

Moderator's note: Pls. do not copy and paste the whole article. Just quote a couple of impt. paragraphs or make a synopsis then just provide a link for the whole article. Thanks.

[suzanne4]

And this is exactly what I have been saying all along, and it is nice to see CGFNS repeat what I have been posting on the Filipino Forum.

[Amiel]

Dear Suzane4,

May I known if you need to request your BON to provide ICHP with your NCLEX results in the VS application. The VS handbook does not mention this. It tells only the applicants to have there US license validated by the BON.

Amiel

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by Amiel

Dear Suzane4,

May I known if you need to request your BON to provide ICHP with your NCLEX results in the VS application. The VS handbook does not mention this. It tells only the applicants to have there US license validated by the BON.

Amiel

The only way that they can get the results is if you authorize them to send it. In the US, they cannot share information without your written permission. Just send the verification form to the BON to fill out and complete.

[kunttula]

Hi,

I am filling out my vc and the section asking about my education. I have two BSN degrees. Nursing degree from UNLV and community health degree from BYU. Would I classify both of my degrees to the category of "professional" or would I only classify my nursing degree as professional and my community health degree as post secondary non-professional? (I was able to complete my BSN of nursing fast because most of my prerequisite classes transferred to BYU. I only took nursing classes at UNLV)

After reading the cgfns package I was a little confused and I just wanted to confirm that I only need to send the "Request for Academic Records" from to the schools I classify as "professional school". I have attended many schools and I got my associate degree of science from different school than I got my baccalaureate degrees.

In the section where they ask which U.S. visa you plan to obtain from the U.S. government do most nurses request permanent green card?

Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you very much.

[kunttula]

I have one more question. In the place where it asks about "license information" should I mark NO for the question were they ask if the lisence is for the life time (because you could loose your active license if you do not complete the continuing education). Sorry to ask so simple questions but I want to make sure I complete the form right the first time. Thank you for your help.

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by kunttula

I have one more question. In the place where it asks about "license information" should I mark NO for the question were they ask if the lisence is for the life time (because you could loose your active license if you do not complete the continuing education). Sorry to ask so simple questions but I want to make sure I complete the form right the first time. Thank you for your help.

All must be included on the application for VSC as they all deal with patient related issues. Always best to include everything and then let CGFNS/ICHP make the determination if they need it or not.

The only visa that is available to you is the permanent resident, or green card. You need to put that.

Put yes, as a nurse in the US, and working at a hospital, you will get more than enogh hours to meet the requirements. In the past, I got over 150 hours per year until the past couple of years. It is very easy to get them. They are looking to see if you are coming here for two years and returning home afterwards. Remembe that VCS is also required for those in other health care fields that are not RNs and do not get expedited for the green card and can qaulify for the H1-B. RNs cannot get that visa.

[Amiel]

Dear Suzanne4,

I did sent my verification form to CA BON, but ICHP has received only the verified license but not the NCLEX test results. Should I apply for the copy of test results which is another $10 as shown by their sked of fees.

Amiel

[Mary Latorre]

dear Suzanne 4,
Ma'am i am really at a loss on how to handle my license verification request from New Mexico BON for CGFN VisaScreen requirement. NM BON advise they sent it last Jan. 5 but todate, CGFN has not received it. I tried to e-mail to check with NM BON but they have stopped answering after their advise that it had been sent last Jan. 5. I tried calling too but it was in vain because I can only leave a message in an answering machine. Ma'am in cases like this one, do you think I should just send another application for License Verification? With NM BON not replying, I just do not know who to ask on what to do with my need for a license verification. Your advise will truly be appreciated.

with best regards, mary

[goldengurl]

hello! i really need your help.. How do i forward my NCLEX results to CGFNS/ICHP? Is it true that i need to write a letter to the California Board of Registered Nursing? If so what will the letter contain? Is there a corresponding fee? please do help me.. I couldn't find the instructions at the VS handbook and California website! Thank you!