difference between NCLEX and cgfns exams please

Let's put it this way; you have to take the NCLEX no matter what. That is the US licensing exam. You cannot work as a US RN if you have not passed the NCLEX-RN and got licensed. The CGFNS exam/certification is a requirement by a few states' bonuses just to make you eligible to take the NCLEX. Other requirements are the CVS for NY state and CGFNS' Credential Evaluation Service (CES).

The first decision you have to make is w/c state/s you would want to work. Go to their website and find out what they require. They are generally lumped into one of these categories: 1) state w/c does their own transcript evaluation and doesn't require any CGFNS service or intervention whatsoever (e.g., CA, Vermont, NM) 2) states w/c require CGFNS to evaluate your transcript for them via CGFNS'Credential Evaluation Service (CES) [/b](e.g., Florida, AZ, NJ, Nevada, etc..) 3) states w/c require the CGFNS certification (CG Exam + English exams + Transcript evaluation) (e.g., Michigan, CT, etc.) 4) credential verification service (CVS) for NY.

To make life easy, just pick one or so states you would want to work and live in and go to their website and see their requirements for initial licensure application for foreign erns. Weigh in their pros and cons and decide for yourself w/c is best for you.

If the state you want to work in doesn't require the CG exam and requires the CES or does their own transcript evaluation, why bother taking up the CGFNS exam? in my opinion, its a waste of time, money, and effort to take the exam when you aren't applying to a state w/c doesn't require it in the 1st place and requires something else.

Some foreign RNS are actually picking states w/c don't require the CGFNS exam, whether it be for initial application or for endorsement, and most often than not, the states that they want to work to don't anymore require the CGFNS exam.

And just to add and this is a fact. Most find the CGFNS exam much harder than the NCLEX RN exam.

I'm still a 3rd-year student, don't know anything really about these exams yet! Can you please give me further info?

Are there any feedback about the latest NCLEX exam?

yen23 said:

im still a 3rd year student, don't know anything really about these exams yet! can you please give me further info?

You can find all the info you need in the stickies here and especially in the stickies in the Int'l forum http://www.allnurses.com/forums/f75. Please check them out. Happy reading.

Thanks a lot, Lawrence, I am really set for the NCLEX, but when I tried to answer sample questions, wow, it is so difficult. I never tried CGFNS questions. And to make my situation worse, I am super scared because from the series of questions, a nurse has to be a superwoman/man and that a nurse has to know everything, and that's why I am sort of freakin out because I was out from our profession for ten years, and I think maybe, I can't handle it. I think if I work abroad, I want to be an assistant nurse only. I am sorry, but I am really scared, and my confidence level is so low.

mtjmnov said:

Thanks a lot, Lawrence, I am really set for the NCLEX, but when I tried to answer sample questions, wow, it is so difficult. I never tried CGFNS questions. And to make my situation worse, I am super scared because from the series of questions, a nurse has to be a superwoman/man and that a nurse has to know everything, and that's why I am sort of freakin out because I was out from our profession for ten years, and I think maybe, I can't handle it. I think if I work abroad, I want to be an assistant nurse only. I am sorry, but I am really scared, and my confidence level is so low.

I understand, but keep in mind that you still need to be a licensed US R.N. to be able to work and be a green card holder in the US. An LPN or CNA (if that's what you mean by being an "assistant nurse") does not let you work legally or be a green card holder. I think there's no such thing as an "assistant nurse" for RNs and esp. RN-BSNs.

Try going to the NCLEX discussion forum and read Suzanne's tips for studying for NCLEX and ask for her study guide. It will help a lot. Also, consider a comprehensive review program to guide you properly. This may help boost your confidence. http://www.allnurses.com/forums/f197

Have you decided yet w/c state you want to apply to? This is the 1st step you should take. Waiting to be eligible for NCLEX takes months, depending on w/c state. Plus, CGFNS already gave a warning that the processing of all their services will be longer than usual. You can use the wait time for the eligibility letter to study and review.

If you are getting info that you can work as LPN or an "assistant" in the US, then you are risking your future. Those working in the US that way are most often being paid under the table, and that is dangerous.

Good luck.

mtjmnov said:

Thanks a lot, Lawrence, I am really set for the NCLEX, but when I tried to answer sample questions, wow, it is so difficult. I never tried CGFNS questions. And to make my situation worse, I am super scared because from the series of questions, a nurse has to be a superwoman/man and that a nurse has to know everything, and that's why I am sort of freakin out because I was out from our profession for ten years, and I think maybe, I can't handle it. I think if I work abroad, I want to be an assistant nurse only. I am sorry, but I am really scared, and my confidence level is so low.

If you think you need more than six mos to review, then picking NM will just pressure you because of the fast processing that posters here are saying.

You may want to consider other state BONs you would want to really work with. This way, you won't bother anymore with endorsing another state. This may be better for you since you're not in a hurry to take the NCLEX anyway.