by sum07

Congratulations to all those who passed the Philippine boards! My cousin was one among the many. She is now looking to take the CGFNS exam, NCLEX, and TOEFL. Does anyone know of CGFNS review centers in Manila?

Re: CGFNS review centers?

Congrats to your cousin. I suggest that she does not look for CGFNS 'review centers' just yet. This is one of the most common mistakes of new board passers. For one thing, not all US States requires the CGFNS Exam anymore and I also do not agree on the saying that taking the CGFNS exam or CGFNS certification as a cure-all or a silver bullet. It isn't. Most States now just require CGFNS' Credential Evaluation Service (CES) and some States don't even need to go through CGFNS at all. My advice for your cousin is to first know what State she wishes to work and live and then take it from there.

She can do some more research on how to go about it by reading the diff. threads in our Int'l forum (www.allnurses.com/forums/f75) and I suggest that she starts reading Suzanne's Primer sticky located above the threads. Everything she needs to know, including all the relevant websites and links are there.

Re: CGFNS review centers?

i really cant see the logic why looking for review center . the mere fact you just passed the local board so im sure all the materials is still fresh. all you have to wether you take the cgfns or nclex you just have to read your review material and use books like sauders the question and answer. and besides i tell you no singles question came out from the review in the actual exam and sometimes youll blame the review center. youll just wasting thousand of pesos!!! i heard one review center ask for 45thousand plus the hotell acomodation for the final coaching, what the hell. the book cost only a thousand pesos. be wise

Re: CGFNS review centers?

Originally Posted by lawrence01

Congrats to your cousin. I suggest that she does not look for CGFNS 'review centers' just yet. This is one of the most common mistakes of new board passers. For one thing, not all US States requires the CGFNS Exam anymore and I also do not agree on the saying that taking the CGFNS exam or CGFNS certification as a cure-all or a silver bullet. It isn't. Most States now just require CGFNS' Credential Evaluation Service (CES) and some States don't even need to go through CGFNS at all. My advice for your cousin is to first know what State she wishes to work and live and then take it from there.

She can do some more research on how to go about it by reading the diff. threads in our Int'l forum (www.allnurses.com/forums/f75) and I suggest that she starts reading Suzanne's Primer sticky located above the threads. Everything she needs to know, including all the relevant websites and links are there.

Thanks Lawrence, I'll tell my cousin to visit this forum. This whole process is pretty confusing (for me, at least) since communication between me and my cousin is limited. The only reason I considered her going to a review center was because my other cousin did exactly that and they seemed to be really helpful in the application processes/test registrations for the VSC/CES/CGFNS exam/TOEFL.

I'm pretty sure, but not 100% sure, that she wants to apply to WA state..which, as far as I've researched, requires the CGFNS Exam.

So from what I understand, she should take the CGFNS exam which includes an English Proficiency test, take the NCLEX, turn in all her documents for the CES, then apply for a Visa Screen Certificate?

Re: CGFNS review centers?

Originally Posted by sum07

Thanks Lawrence, I'll tell my cousin to visit this forum. This whole process is pretty confusing (for me, at least) since communication between me and my cousin is limited. The only reason I considered her going to a review center was because my other cousin did exactly that and they seemed to be really helpful in the application processes/test registrations for the VSC/CES/CGFNS exam/TOEFL.

I'm pretty sure, but not 100% sure, that she wants to apply to WA state..which, as far as I've researched, requires the CGFNS Exam.

So from what I understand, she should take the CGFNS exam which includes an English Proficiency test, take the NCLEX, turn in all her documents for the CES, then apply for a Visa Screen Certificate?

Topics related to immigration and application for US State licensure are best posted on our Int'l forum (www.allnurses.com/forums/f75).

If the State BON specifically says that they need the CGFNS Certification (CGFNS exam+Transcript evaluation+English exam+ licensure validation, if applicable) then that's only what they need and actually supersedes the CES (trancript evaluation only) already so no need to do both. It's only either of the two or the State BON/BRN can do everything on their own (CA, VT, NM, etc.. )

Re: CGFNS review centers?

hi sum07! ope am not late. i just registered yesterday and saw ur query today. please take note im not suggesting any of what ill say here, just wanted to share my own experience to u and ur cousin. im a cgfns cert holder and nclex passer. i hav heard from other sources that its a good thing that i took d cgfns coz when u go to d US u can transfer to any states that u choose in case u need to or feel to do so, isnt it? about d review center is it ok to mention such things here? im not sure pal sorry. Nwayz good luck 2u & ur cousin!

Re: CGFNS review centers?

Originally Posted by dolcebeau.elle

hi sum07! ope am not late. i just registered yesterday and saw ur query today. please take note im not suggesting any of what ill say here, just wanted to share my own experience to u and ur cousin. im a cgfns cert holder and nclex passer. i hav heard from other sources that its a good thing that i took d cgfns coz when u go to d US u can transfer to any states that u choose in case u need to or feel to do so, isnt it? about d review center is it ok to mention such things here? im not sure pal sorry. Nwayz good luck 2u & ur cousin!

I respectfully disagree with this. The CGFNS Exam/Certification is not a silver bullet or a cure-all for everything. In a few instances it may appear that way because some States may accept the CGFNS Certification in lieu of what the State BON or BRN requires of them. That is why it is impt. that the applicant knows where she plans to live and work and maybe a few States she may plan to endorse in the future.

If an applicant wants to work in a State that does their own evaluation such as CA, then he does not need to go through any CGNFS service at all and why waste time, money and effort to have the CGNFS Certification, w/c entails passing the CGFNS exam and English exams first when she can just go directly to CA and take the NCLEX.

Majority of foreign nurses actually shun away from States the still requires the CGFNS Certification and just go to a State that does their own evaluation or States that just requires CGFNS' CES service to be eligible to take the CES. Others already have a specific State they want to work and live and will do everything to be licensed there whatever how hard or long the process will take.

Much better if the applicant already knows where he wants to be and just follow what the requirements are to go there rather than do every known requirement then later finding out that the State she plans to go doesn't even need it.

The Visa Screen Certification w/c is also done by CGFNS via ICHP is actually the one that is needed by everyone who is not a green card already and needs to be petitioned by an employer just to get one. This is also commonly mistaken to be the same as the CGFNS Certification by some lawyers and agencies.

Re: CGFNS review centers?

Originally Posted by dave23

i really cant see the logic why looking for review center . the mere fact you just passed the local board so im sure all the materials is still fresh. all you have to wether you take the cgfns or nclex you just have to read your review material and use books like sauders the question and answer. and besides i tell you no singles question came out from the review in the actual exam and sometimes youll blame the review center. youll just wasting thousand of pesos!!! i heard one review center ask for 45thousand plus the hotell acomodation for the final coaching, what the hell. the book cost only a thousand pesos. be wise

i agree with you dave. instead of paying 24thou for kaplan or other review centers, why not buy review materials such as saunders q&a and compre, lippincott, kaplan, mosby q&a and compre, davis etc. I recently both all those books coupled with a dozen of 83 dvds nclex review and pc materials I bought, it took me a mere 8thou for all those stuffs. My 2 other siblings can use them also. Im preparing for my nclex.

Re: CGFNS review centers?

w_padre;2397679]i agree with you dave. instead of paying 24thou for kaplan or other review centers, why not buy review materials such as saunders q&a and compre, lippincott, kaplan, mosby q&a and compre, davis etc. I recently both all those books coupled with a dozen of 83 dvds nclex review and pc materials I bought, it took me a mere 8thou for all those stuffs. My 2 other siblings can use them also. Im preparing for my nclex

Dave and w_padre are both correct. BUT, it also depends on the person. I really admired those nurses who took NCLEX without the help of a review center. I love that thread! Very informative!

You see, some people are not like those people who wrote on that thread. We all have our own ways when reviewing. If you have the means to enroll in a review centers and buy reviewers, why not? The logic there my dear is to gain more information! Your review might cause a fortune, passing the exam is worth it! Its better to be ready and confident that you mastered this and that! Actually I just past the board exam, took it first time. I'm not a good test taker and I know some people are also like me so we need review centers to gain more information. For those who didn't enroll in review centers, that's their choice! We all have different perception when it comes to these things... But no matter how you prepared for the exam, may it be through review centers or not, it always end with one thing! It's up to that person if he'll pass or fail...

Re: CGFNS review centers?

Originally Posted by dolcebeau.elle

hi sum07! ope am not late. i just registered yesterday and saw ur query today. please take note im not suggesting any of what ill say here, just wanted to share my own experience to u and ur cousin. im a cgfns cert holder and nclex passer. i hav heard from other sources that its a good thing that i took d cgfns coz when u go to d US u can transfer to any states that u choose in case u need to or feel to do so, isnt it? about d review center is it ok to mention such things here? im not sure pal sorry. Nwayz good luck 2u & ur cousin!

Sorry, but I do not agree with you either. The CGFNS exam does not help in endorsing to other states, and it has nothing to do with licensure in the US, the NCLEX-is still required by all fifty states. There is no good in having it done if it is not required. And for the states that now require the CES, they are not accepting the CGFNS exam in most cases in place of that.

And I understand that you are new here, but in the future can you please use proper English and not text messaging verbage here. We try to get posters used to what is required when they are charting and documenting things. It is also much more professional to do so.

Please take the time to read the Primer that is on the International Forum, as it looks like much has changed since you may have started the process. Requirements are ever changing and do not remain the same.