Filipino nurses in Texas

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 19, 2009

The OP will not be required to take the English test, Really no reason to take it
Why take a test and spend the extra money on something that is not needed:smokin:

Well, that's just me being an over-achiever. I always try to make sure that if I'm applying to something, I have all the qualifications that can possibly be asked of me. I took the English tests as they were required for Visa Screen. I was not required to present it for my licensure applications in the past (I'm licensed in 3 states in the US). Incidentally, the university I attended for graduate studies here in the US required TOEFL scores for applicants whose undergrad degrees were from countries where the primary language is not English (this included the Philippines per their list). I could have argued with the admissions director to waive the requirement for me because I am fluent and can write well in English. However, that was something I chose not to do as I'd rather prefer to have my TOEFL score speak for itself. Anyway, I'm off topic and I think we've exhausted this thread extensively already. I wish the OP well and hope she gets to practice in Texas as she intends to.

Itzallgood · Jul 20, 2009

Well, that's just me being an over-achiever. I always try to make sure that if I'm applying to something, I have all the qualifications that can possibly be asked of me. I took the English tests as they were required for Visa Screen.

The poster is not coming over on Work visa, but on a marriage based visa. Visa Screen will not apply to the poster

:smokin:

Hushdawg · Jul 20, 2009

And Hushdawg, why would you want to put in an application with an outdated paperwork? I guess when you practice nursing in the USA you are use to forms changing frequently.

You wouldn't put in an application with outdated paperwork. That is precisely my point.

The major problem with nurses asking friends who have already passed NCLEX or review instructors or researching online is the mere fact that all this information is out of date.

If a nurse follows outdated information to apply for licensure then he or she will be wasting a lot of time and money.

Hushdawg · Jul 20, 2009

I would still vote for taking the English test if I was the OP. I know we used nursing textbooks written by American authors in the Philippines but the instruction is by no means 100% English.

Of course the OP will have to pass English proficiency at some stage, but some state BONs drop the English proficiency requirement if the school can prove that the instruction is completely in English.

That does not drop the Visa Screen requirement, however, for immigrant and occupational visas to healthcare workers.

Hushdawg · Jul 20, 2009

The poster is not coming over on Work visa, but on a marriage based visa. Visa Screen will not apply to the poster

Where did she say that? I've reviewed the entire thread and that has not been discussed.

What she said is that she came over to Texas immediately after taking local boards.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jul 20, 2009

Another thread soon be locked.

One could assume that it is a K1 visa since their is retrogression. Usually if one comes over on a family petition they have waited many many years and would have had time to answer all these questions.

The poster Honeylove Joy hasn't been back since the initial question.

Hushdawg · Jul 20, 2009

Or she could have made the same mistake that lots of people make in going to the USA on a tourist visa and hoping to convert it while there.

6 years ago that would have worked... not anymore...

Mark Perry · Jul 20, 2009

Texas Board of Nursing does not require a local license in order to apply and sit for NCLEX.

They do require a evalution of your transcripts by a 3rd party entity. I just got off the phone with Tx. BON.

Please stop this foolish bickering

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jul 20, 2009

Of course the OP will have to pass English proficiency at some stage, but some state BONs drop the English proficiency requirement if the school can prove that the instruction is completely in English.
That does not drop the Visa Screen requirement, however, for immigrant and occupational visas to healthcare workers.

Like I said, some people are probably OK with the route of asking the school to prove that the nursing instruction in the Philippines was completely in English. They may be able to fudge something to that effect but you and I know that English may have been used in the instruction but it's by no means American English and it's not even 100% in English. I personally am cool with taking the test and proving my English skills that way but that's just me.

This thread is getting ridiculous. Poor honeylove_joy just wanted some advice and she's getting a whole bunch of confusing information. I'm glad I never had to go through something like this for my licensure applications and I never had any issues getting a license. But then I always get my information direct from the source - the individual BON's.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 20, 2009

OK guys, we are all guilty here of moving off topic and discussing other factors. There is no mention that the OP is coming over on a K1 visa so we can put that to sleep. All the OP needs to do is complete requirements as set out by the BON for foreign trained nurses.

Can we please go back to the topic of the thread

Hushdawg · Aug 3, 2009

Texas Board of Nursing does not require a local license in order to apply and sit for NCLEX.
They do require a evalution of your transcripts by a 3rd party entity. I just got off the phone with Tx. BON.
Please stop this foolish bickering

Excerpt from the application from for the State of Texas:

*******************************************************

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS EDUCATED OUTSIDE THE USA AND US TERRITORIES

• A completed Application by NCLEX-RN Examination, all fees, a completed criminal history report, proof of passing scores of English ® Proficiency exam (if program was not conducted in English), an original Credential Evaluation Service (CES) Full Education course-bycourse report, sent directly from an approved organization and a Verification of Licensure (VOL) form from all countries, states, provinces and/or territories you hold or have held a license. The VOL must come directly from the licensing authority and must bear the authorities official seal. The VOL is only valid for one (1) year after it is signed and sealed by the licensing authority *Note: the CES Full Education course-by-course report will contain your original country of licensure’s VOL.

*******************************************************

So yes, you do need to have a local license; otherwise you would not be able to get a verification of your licensure.

Also, part of the CES-FULL is proof of a local license.

So while TX BON does not require a copy of it directly, you do have to have it.

buddhaboy · Aug 4, 2009

The poster is best served by going to the Texas BON website and reading Examination Information http://www.bon.state.tx.us/olv/examination.html

But I wondered about this part on the website:

9. International Candidates - to be eligible to take the NCLEX, you will need the following:

E) All international applicants must provide proof of working in nursing for a period totaling two (2) years (i.e. 24 months) at anytime after graduation from a nursing program.

F) If you have not worked at least two (2) years as a first level, general nurse within the four (4) years preceding the filing of the application, you will not be licensed until you complete a Foreign Educated Nurse (FENS) refresher course consisting of 120 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of clinical practice under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. The applicant required to take the FENS refresher will be given a six (6) month permit to complete the refresher course.

This is something for the poster to think about.