Newbie Pinay Nurse Need Advice in Processing NCLEX

World Registration

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Hi allNurses!

I am a registered nurse in the philippines since 2011 but never practiced my profession. I am still residing here in PI but will be immigrating to US next year. I am planning to take the NCLEX so i can help my husband as we start building our own Family Together. I didn't take the IELTS/TOEFL yet. My intended address when i get to US will be in Seattle, WA but im planning to apply for New Mexico.

Questions:

•Will it be better if i apply to WA instead or just go with NM and just endorse to WA when i pass?

•Will it be okay/better if i start applying in NM while i'm here in Philippines or should i wait till i get to US?

•if ever i'll be approved by NM how long is the validity of my eligibility to take the exam? I'm thinking to take the exam in the US but we don't have any exact date yet on when i can get there because i'm still waiting for my interview at the embassy.

•will NM require me to take the IELTS/TOEFL if i passed the Philippine Nurses Licensure Exam which was given in English Format?

Hoping for response from everyone who have been in my situation!

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Registration forum.

Better to apply to the state you will be living and working in. Each state has their own requirements and some still require English even if proof that course was done using English text books.

Start process sooner rather than later and once you have eligibility to sit NCLEX then wait until in the US before applying for ATT. Eligibility usually lasts a couple of years but ATT once issued only lasts approx 90 days as a rough guide.

Hi @silverdragon 102:

Thank you for the quick response. One of the things why i considered NM is that they dont require SSN. If i apply directly to WA, i'm gonna wait till my visa gets approved so i can have a SSN. Second, i'm kinda stressed with the fact that i have to prepare and review for 2 exams at the same time if i go with WA. Lastly, i was thinking about the compact states since my husband don't wanna go out of WA so the nearest state i can work will be ID.

Pick the state you will be working in, and apply there, Doesn't really matter where you plan to live.

Find the state BON of nursing for that state and read website and go from there, it is quite simple. If you have a question contact the board directly........

Lastly, i was thinking about the compact states since my husband don't wanna go out of WA so the nearest state i can work will be ID.

Are you referring to the fact that New Mexico is a member of the NLC and Washington isn't? It doesn't matter; if you will be physically living in Washington, your New Mexico license won't have "compact privileges" and won't be able to be used to work in any state other than New Mexico. The rules of the compact require that you must maintain a permanent residence (have an apartment or home, pay taxes there) in the state in order to get a license with compact privileges. Otherwise, you get a license, but it is just a "regular" license with no compact privileges.

If you're going to be living in Washington, your best bet is just to apply for licensure in Washington. Applying somewhere else first will just cost you extra time and money.

Hi @elkpark! Regarding WA being not part of NLC, that i understand. I was thinking if i pass Nclex to a state with fewer requirements like NM (not requiring SSN & IELTS- i had a batchmate who passed Nclex in NEW mexico and was not required to take IELTS and we came from same school and same curriculum) i can apply to WA by endorsement and its ok if they ask me to take the EILTS, atleast i already passed Nclex.

Process:

1) valid-for-work SSN (except maybe NM)

2) Apply for CGFNS or IELTS for either WA or NM (Certification Program will require a CGFNS exam but the Certification Evaluation Service does not)

3) Have all documents (transcripts, diploma, course-by-course description of you Nursing program plus Nursing curriculum and certified copy of current PRC license certificate sent from PRC sent to CGFNS)

4) Take the TOEFL or IELTS to have it results to CGFNS (if you need to complete the Certification Program).

5) Once evaluating service CGFNS or IELTS approves, you can then apply to NM.

Please look at each states Board of Nursing website as each state has their own requirements and the effect that you trying to endorse from a compact state (NM) to a non-compact state (WA). States change their rules.

I was born, raised, went to school and worked in the US and had to take the TOEFL to fulfill the CGFNS Cert Program requirements and the state of Pennsylvania requirement. Even if New Mexico's requirements are not strict, you would still need to meet Washington's requirements which can change.

Process:

1) valid-for-work SSN (except maybe NM)

2) Apply for CGFNS or IELTS for either WA or NM (Certification Program will require a CGFNS exam but the Certification Evaluation Service does not)

3) Have all documents (transcripts, diploma and certified copy of current PRC license certificate sent from PRC sent to CGFNS)TOEFL or IELTS for CGFNS

4) Once evaluating service CGFNS or IELTS approves, you can then apply to NM.

Please look at each states Board of Nursing website as each state has their own requirements.

If you are referring to Washington State you don't need a "valid to work SSN", They will accept a SSN without Employment Authorization Document, just as long as you can provide a SSN

For CES the accept ERES and IERF as well a CGNFS.

Ok..I think the OP should just apply to Washington State directly. I didn't realize Washington is that lenient. Are they one of the states to enforce concurrency with regards to MS and OB lecture and clinical? Are there plentiful new grad BSN jobs there? :)

I found the link to the app/endorsement into Washington: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/669240.pdf

and

http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/6000/669316.pdf

I made an error above re: new grad reference. I, as well as other who have graduated from a foreign nursing school, are more than likely past that 1 year New grad period (must apply for jobs within 1 year of graduating, NOT 1 year of taking the NCLEX) therefore we will not be able to apply to the new grad/residency/internship type of jobs but most likely require transitional and depending on the state, refresher courses. Hospital jobs require 1-2 years of experience. Best to apply to LTC and Nursing Homes. Washington is on that list of states enforcing the concurrency rules.

https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/new-grad-status-702252.html

Thank you mishey2. Thats exactly one of my hesitations to apply for WA, them enforcing concurrency rules( thanks for the confirmation) This is why my 2nd option would be NM (where requirements are not too strict) I'm still here in PH, and i was thinking to start the credential evaluation while i still can.

Thank you mishey2. Thats exactly one of my hesitations to apply for WA, them enforcing concurrency rules( thanks for the confirmation) This is why my 2nd option would be NM (where requirements are not too strict) I'm still here in PH, and i was thinking to start the credential evaluation while i still can.

However, living in Washington, you won't be able to use a New Mexico license to work. You'll still need a Washington license -- and most states require that applicants for licensure by endorsement meet the same requirements they would need to meet for initial licensure by examination. Why spend the time and money to get a license you can't use?

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