Foreign based nurse needs help finding a hospital job

Dear medic admin in Qatar,

Have you graduated yet? Are you an RN? I don't know about RN training or exam qualifications in Qatar.

In the United States, there is only one licensing exam, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). You register with Pearson VUE to take the test. But first there are a couple of steps.

Apply for ATT

You'll need an Authorization To Test (ATT) to register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX. You receive an ATT from an individual state Board of Nursing or Board of Registered Nursing (BON/BRN). Every state has a BON/BRN.

So for example, if you wish to be licensed in the state of California (CA), you would contact the CA Registered Board of Nursing for eligibility and your ATT.

ATT Requirements

The BON/BRN will review/verify your coursework for:

• General preliminary education requirements,
  
• Successful completion of nursing coursework in a school of nursing which meets the minimum requirements of the board for licensure established for an accredited program,
  
• Verification of licensure
  

They will also ascertain that you do not meet any reasons for denial of licensure.

But each state board may have slightly different requirements to verify education and eligibility of nurses educated outside of the United States.

Many state boards require a verification service that can be provided by Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) International prior to issuing an ATT.

Depending on the state, you may be required to pass the CGFNS certificate exam, and/or have the CGFNS or other agency verify your coursework, license and English proficiency, and VisaScreen.

note: In CA, you are required to provide a valid Social Security number and meet concurrency of curriculum and practicum requirements.

You may be asked to submit evidence of English comprehension, such as passing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Some states may require you to complete a Foreign Educated Nurses (FEN) refresher course. The course consists of 120 hours in the classroom and 120 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Testing Sites

For convenience, there are international testing centers in other countries that include Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico and Taiwan.

Resources

You can contact Pearson Vue at:

NCLEX Examination Program

Pearson Professional Testing

5601 Green Valley Drive Bloomington, MN 55437-1099

Candidates in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa can call NCLEX Candidate Services, at:

+44.161.855.7445, or email: [email protected]

Summary

To summarize, if you are a foreign-based RN:

• Apply to the (CGFNS) for your Credentials Evaluation Services Report (they will send results to the BON)
  
• Apply for licensure/registration to the state BON/BRN of your choice (includes fingerprinting)
  
• Apply to Pearson Vue
  
• Receive ATT
  
• Register for the NCLEX with Pearson Vue
  

Good luck, I hope this helps you. Once you have your RN license, you are qualified to work as an RN in a psychiatric setting or setting of your choice.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth