Has anyone heard of CGFNS?

[Marra Jade]

Hi there,

I am a registered nurse in Canada and my husband and I are considering moving to the States. A few years ago when I looked into a move across the boarder, I discovered I would need to write the NCLEX exam. Now the websites I have found state that I need to write an exam from the CGFNS before writing the NCLEX. From what I can tell, the CGFNS seems to evaluate a candidates ability to speak English. As English is my first language, do I still need to write this exam? If anyone has information on this or knows where I could obtain some I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for your help,

Marra Jade:)

[Katnip, RN]

Yes, unfortunately, you do. At least my friend from Ontario did. And English was her only language. Weird, I know.

[lady_vee]

Look into states that offer reciprocity with Canada (eg. Connecticut, North Carolina and Virginia etc.). To my understanding you don't have to write the NCLEX or CFGNS as long as you were educated and licensed to practice in Canada.

Good luck :)

[Sable's mom]

I am a US nurse, but practice in a border town, so I am aware that in the last 10 months a lot has changed with the requirements for Canadian nurses. At least in Michigan, it is no longer necessary to take the CGFNS exam, only the NCLEX. I think you would need to contact the state board of nursing for the state you plan to move into. (sorry about the grammar, it's been a loooong day.).

I think that once you get a license in one state, you could participate in the reciprocity practiced between states.

Good luck.

Linda

[bizzylizzy]

Hi,

The CGFNS does not apply to nurses from Canada(at least not in Massachusetts).You need certification by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing prior to taking the NCLEX. Contact the Nursing Board in the area you'll be moving to. Good Luck.

[ainz]

The Commision on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is designed to a accomplish 3 major tasks in dealing with foreign nurses that want to practice in the USA. 1) Evaluate your nursing education to see if it is comparable to US nursing education, 2) administer the test that is very similar to the NCLEX-RN to validate your nursing knowledge, and 3) evaluate your English proficiency through a test called TOEFL.

Someone posted that you should contact the particular state you want to practice in. Absolutely because what each state requires may differ. Some may not require the TOEFL, others may not require the CGFNS test, particularly if you are proficient in English and graduated from a Canadian school. You probably would have to take the NCLEX no matter where you go.

CGFNS has a website and I suggest you contact them and the state board of nursing in the state you want to practice in. With this information you will know exactly what you need to do. Good luck.

[mapleleafrn]

well I can only speak for PA But I've been told that CGFNS does not apply to nurses trained in Canada

the person spoke to at the BON stated that canada is not considered Foreign.......... and I know for a fact Maine and CT are the same!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Commision on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)

http://www.cgfns.org

Certain applicants may be exempt from the English language proficiency requirement if they meet all of the following criteria:

1) Country of professional education was Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States;

2) Language of instruction was English; and

3) Language of textbooks was English.