Is CGFNS compulsory?

[glory.joseph2]

one of my friend in india has already cleared the nclex examination? would she need to take the cgfns exam?

also, i have another friend who has cleared cgfns and is looking for an employer. does she need to take the nclex, if yes, should she take it after she finalizes the employer who is willing to sponsor and why?

suzanne could you help with a reliable answer??

[suzanne4, RN]

Depends on the state where they wish to work. Some states still have the requirement of the CGFNS exam before they will grant permission to sit for the NCLEX exam. If the state permitted them to write the NCLEX without it, then they do not need to take it.

CGFNS can get an agency to start the petitioning process, but there is no reason to take that test unless a specific state requires it. It will not get one a license in the US.

I would get the NCLEX exam done, there is going to be more than a five year wait for those from your country that are not in the petitioning process already due to the number of applicants from there. Far exceeds those from even the Philippines. And there is no guarantee that if someone passes the NCLEX exam and even gets an employer that they will ever get to the US.

Be very careful using an agency out of India, most charge a surety bond fee of close to $20,000 US that needs to be paid to the agency before they leave your country and I have never seen one nurse get it returned when they have completed the contract. There is absolutely no reason for this bond, and if it is stated that you have to have it; go to an agency out of your country.

[glory.joseph2]

Thank you so much for the info Suzanne. Is there a validity period for the CGFNS or NCLEX? What are the passing scores for each of this exams?

I have been told there are chances of the retro period becoming current as it happened in July 07. What are the chances for that? Thanks for your help again.