Foreign Nurse-How to get a RN license in US???

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi!

I'm a Portuguese graduated nurse, and I would like to know which states rquires the CGFNS exam... I wanna take the license in CT state, but if it envolves more stuff I'm open to get the license in other states, such as New York, Florida or California!

I also would like to know that if I get the RN license in a given state, then could I work in another state?

I'm very confused with so much bureaucracy!!! :yawn: lolol

Thank's a lot!!

Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

The beaurocracy in the US nursing system is atrocious! Lets see if I can clarify a little bit. Every state has a different licensure system...so whether or not a state is going to require the CGFNS is completely up that states board of nursing. To get the requirements for a specific state, google " Board of nusing" and see if they discuss it or email them.

Regardless of whether or not you need the CGFNS, you will have to take our NCLEX-RN. This is our nursing exam, which is nationally standardized..but still only gives you licensure in the state in which you took the exam! After you get licensed, you can apply for other states licenses. It's a lot of paperwork and processing fees, but you won't have to retake an exam at that point. And yes, you would have to have a license for each state you would want to work in! The exception is that there is a system called the "Compact States" which I think has 17 member-states. These 17 states recognize a license from any of the other states in the "compact" to be valid. Here is a link to the list of the "Compact States." https://www.ncsbn.org/158.htm

Specializes in ER.

I think there is a waiting period, isn't there? I think you have to get in a line as a foreign nurse!

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