confused about CGFNS exam

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Is CGFNS exam a mandatory requirement for US employment ? Is it required in the state of NY ? Is it required by employers to be petitioned to work as a nurse in US ? Is it required for visa screening ? I had read the sticky of Ms. Suzanne that CGFNS exam is not a mandatory requirement except for state of Michigan and that it's only a waste of time and money. Then how come everybody is still taking it ? Will I encounter any problem or delays if I don't take the CGFNS exam as stated by Ms. Suzanne in her sticky that it's not a mandatory requirement ? This is really confusing for me. I want to make sure of this because I don't want to encounter any problems in the future just because I did not take CGFNS exam. I don't want someone (visa screen officer, employer or others responsible for my application) asking for my CGFNS exam later and telling them "Oh, I don't have it because I thought it's not a mandatory requirement that's why I did not take it" things like that and they would tell me that they can't process my application without it. As early as now, I want to clear this things up so that I can prepare myself. I want to make sure if I really need or don't need to take CGFNS exam aside from taking the NCLEX exam. If its really needed in some ways during the application or not. If I'll be petitioned by US employers without CGFNS exam or not. I don't want to waste time or money. Also, what I am learning here in the forum I also share it with my friends. I don't want to give them false information regarding this topic. I don't want to tell them that CGFNS exam is not really needed and will be shock later to find out that in some part of the application it is needed and creating delays and chaos for them. I trust all the people in this forum especially Ms. Suzanne. Please help me clear this things for me so that I and my friends may know how to go along smoothly in applying for US employment. Thank you very much. God Bless.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

No the CGFNS exam is not mandatory except for 1 state All states require you as a RN to pass NCLEX to work (same requirement as per US trained RN) There are agencies which make CGFNS exam mandatory but that is just for them. Visa screen required you to have passed either CGFNS exam or NCLEX so if you have just passed NCLEX you will have no problems with immigration

hope this helps

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Anna is 100% correct. There are agencies out there that are saying that it is mandatory for working in the US. It is not, only for one state that will not permit endorsement without it, or five years of experience as an RN in the US. Even Illinois was one of the last hold-outs and they only require the CES now.

To actually physically work in the US as an RN only requires that you take and pass the NCLEX examination. However, for immigration purposes, if you are applying for a green card, and do not already have one, then you must take the series of English exams, and also get a Visa Screen Certificate.

There are also agencies in Manila that are saying that CA requires that you take the TOEFL exam, even if you already have a Visa Screen Certificate, if you took the IELTS series, and that is 100% false. CA doesnt require any language requirement.

I live and work in the US. Where are these other people that are giving you this advice?

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So, your saying that its up to me to find a legitimate employer who doesn't require CGFNS exam ? Does majority of employers need CGFNS exam for them to petition a foreign-educated nurse to work in US ? Do you guys happen to know any agency or employer who does not require CGFNS exam ? Or does anyone here in the forum got hired and is now working in the US without taking the CGFNS exam ? Sorry to bombard you guys with such questions. Just want to finally clear this things. Thank you so much Suzanne for always being a great help here in the forum. Thanks for your help and kindness.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I was offered employment with a hospital and the only requirement was I passed NCLEX and CES with CGFNS at no time was it mentioned that I need CGFNS exam.

There are plenty of employers in the US but we need to know a bit more on where you want to live or what lifestyle you are looking for in the US?

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It is the agencies that require it in Manila, not US immigration. They are following old rules, and most of them are not even nurses. Just be very careful, and if they are stil lrequiring it, don't go with them. Simple as that.

You are only required to have what the state and immigration require, noit what the agency wants you to have.

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Specializes in New RN Sept 8, 2006, Med/surg Geria.

hi, suzanne, how are you?

I recently passed the phil board exam and my next step is take the NCLEX thru NY. I just want to have some clarifications though. You see, i went to 5 colleges/universities, finished 3 degrees (BSAccounting, Bach of Arts, BSNursing) and now hold 2 licences (CPA and RN). My question is, do I have to have all my records from those schools (3 of which are non-nursing) verified, that is, to have them send my records to CGFNS. My latest transcript for my BSN already includes all the subjects and grades from all these schools. How about my CPA license, should this also be verified?

thanks for any help

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