Filipino way â€“ how to become a registered nurse in usa (texas)

adnam09 · Oct 1, 2018

FILIPINO WAY - HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED

NURSE IN USA (TEXAS)

Part 1 Taking NCLEX

The very first step is to CHOOSE your PREFERRED state. Each state has its own board qualifications. Visit Contact a Member Organization | NCSBN (this site will direct you to list of states in US. Click your preferred state, then visit the BON website indicated to know the requirements)

When choosing a STATE, I advise that you choose a State that doesn't require US SSN to not complicate the process. Some of the states I know that don't require US SSN are Texas, New York, Northern Marianas, New Mexico. In my experience, I chose Texas.

NCLEX is just one requirement to receive a RN license in US. If you really want to pursue your US dream, allow to give yourself 2-3 years from the time you passed NCLEX and started proccessing your documents. For my case, i filed Immigrant Visa (EB3).

Steps (Texas):

1. Submit an application for licensure/registration to Texas BON.

1.1 Visit Bad Request International/foreign Nurses like Filipinos cannot submit application online. All throughout the process, we do PAPER APPLICATION.
1.2 Open this "RN Graduates - Application by NCLEX-RN Examination for Registered Nurses". It will direct you to 19 pages PDF. The first 3 pages, fill in the form and submit to TEXAS BON by mail. Fee is $100. I mailed the application form together with the payment.

PAYMENT METHOD

The application fee is $100 payable by check, cashiers check, or money order. Check must be drawn on a U.S. Bank, U.S. Money Order, or Canadian Postal Money Order drawn on U.S. dollars (Canadian funds not acceptable), and be made payable to the Texas Board of Nursing - DO NOT SEND CASH. The fee is non-refundable.

Note: The Board is unable to process checks and/or money orders made out for more than one application.

Furthermore,submitting an application and payment at separate times will delay processing.

3. 1.3 Wait for it to appear as completed in your Texas BON website account.

2. In my experience, it took 2-3 weeks from the date I sent the mail before I can access my file in TEXAS BON website database. You can check your application status here Texas Board of Nursing - Licensure- Check Status of Application for Initial Licensure . If no record shows, it means you're

not yet in their system or database. Please make sure to tick/check the right application. In my case, it's RN NCLEX. Note: Texas BON will only process applicants who are fully paid.

3. Once you are in the system, you can be updated on what requirements are needed for nclex. Requirements are:

a. A completed RN examination application fee of $100.00;

b. Criminal background check (CBC) and review of any/all eligibility issues (if applicable);

c. Nursing jurisprudence examination (NJE)

d. Proof of graduation (the BON also requires a verification of license (VOL) for Foreign Educated Nurses)

e. Registration with Pearson Vue

4. So we're done with requirement letter A. We'll proceed with Letter B - Criminal background check (CBC) and review of any/all eligibility

issues (if applicable);

4.1 Request a copy of fingerprint ink card thru email ([email protected]). Request two copies just in case you or the person from NBI commit error. They will send it to you through postal mail. When emailing them, ALWAYS include your full name, birthday and address.
4.2 When you have received the card, it includes instruction about FOR APPLICANTS WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER and FOR APPLICANTS RESIDING OUTSIDE TEXAS
4.3 Bring the fingerprint card to NBI Main. It's in Taft Manila, 3rd floor. Just ask that you need to accomplish the fingerprint card. There is no fee for this, but its up to you if you want to give a tip.
4.4 Once this is done, you have to enroll to identogo by phone or internet. You can just do this enrollment once your information is already in the database or system of TEXAS BON website. Mine, I enrolled thru internet, and then mailed the fingerprint card and instruction to the indicated address. There's a fee for this.
4.5 Wait for it to appear as completed in your Texas BON website account

5. Letter C Requirement - Nursing jurisprudence examination (NJE) - This is an exam comprised of 60 or 75 items. If you failed,

you can retake it, open book siya. You are provided references on their website, so just search search. Don't panic, it is easy. No payment.

5.1 If you passed, Wait for it to appear as completed in your Texas BON website account.

6 Letter D Requirement - Proof of graduation (the BON also requires a verification of license (VOL) for Foreign Educated Nurses). This one is tedious. It can take up to 6 months for this to complete depending on how complaint you are on the requirements. This involves CES Report form CGFNS.

Verification of License

6.1 One requirement of this is VOL. Download the PDF form I mentioned in 1.1. Print page 17. Bring this form to PRC. Accomplish section A only. To those who worked as RN outside the Philippines, for example Saudi, it is up to you to have another form be sent to Saudi. But if I were you, I wont hesitate to do that because it may complicate the process. Remember, all documents submitted to Texas must be written in English. Besides, this is just a verification of license, so a Philippine Registered Nurse License would suffice.
6.2 The authorize person in PRC would give you option to mail it thru postal mail or via AIR21. I chose AIR21.
6.3 Pay the amount required by PRC. They will be the one to send the VOL to Texas.
6.4 Wait for it to appear as completed in your Texas BON website account.

Credential Evaluations Service (CES) report

6.1 Create an account and register on CGFNS International Inc - Global Healthcare Community
6.2 Choose Credentials Evaluation Service Professional Report and pay $350
6.3 Once paid, you can access your CGFNS account and see the requirements needed, just like in Texas BON website.
6.4 Download the pdf form of VS Handbook. Print the application form pages 16-21 and submit to CGFN thru mail. I also included page 32 CGFNS Photo Identification Form.
6.5 Print the Request for Validation of License/Registration/Diploma page 22 and have PRC accomplish it. Only PRC is allowed to mail that document. Pay the fees.
6.6 Print the Request for Academic Records/Transcripts pages 23-24 have your school accomplish it. Only the school is allowed to mail that document. Pay the fees.
6.7 Notarized Photopy of high school diploma
6.8 If additional documents are needed, it will always appear on your account.
6.9 Wait for it to appear as completed in your CGFNS account.

IELTS - For US, a band score of 6.5 and 7.0 in speaking is required. IELTS or TOEFL is a requirement to receive the CES report and Visa Screen Certificate.

6.1 I already have my IELTS Report when I register to CGFNS. So what I did was call British council and send an email requesting to send electronically a copy of my IELTS report to TEXAS and CGFNS. This may require a fee.
6.2 Wait for it to appear as completed in your CGFNS account.

* When you complete the requirements for CES, you will be issued a CES Report electronically. Please do save this copy because your account is only valid for 1 year. Same with Texas BON account.

7 Letter E Requirement - Registration with Pearson Vue www.vue.com/nclex - Registering via Pearson Vue can be done anytime. You can register even if you are not yet complete with your requirements. Once registered, your account is valid for 1

year. But you cannot schedule an exam without ATT.

7.1 When all requirements say completed in your Texas BON account, an Authorization to Test (ATT) will be issued to you by the Board. This means that you can now choose the date when you want to take your exam at your convenience. An ATT is valid for 90 days. You will receive an email indication your test valid dates.
7.2 Registration for NCLEX is $200, and an international fee of $150.

8 Prepare for the exam - part 2!