Is civil status an issue?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 30, 2005

hi everybody....i'm so glad to join this community...its a good way of communicating with nurses across the globe....
I’m from the Philippines and just passed the local board exam this June…I was advised by my aunt from Florida to take the NCLEX as soon as possible….I was about to ask some of my friends who are about to take the NCLEX on how to apply for eligibility to test but then they discouraged me because I’m already married, they said I must take CG exam first…...Is it an issue, is taking the NCLEX related to civil status? I mean, are married foreign nurses not eligible to take the NCLEX? Is this related on what visa the US will give you? I’m also confused, is the visa that the US issue for foreign nurses who passed the NCLEX different from the visa they issue for foreign nurses who have CGFNS certificate…because this is the trend for some of the agency here in the Philippines, they require only CGFNS certificate….my aunt is very skeptic to this, she insist that I should be applying for an immigrant visa not a working visa which she said is very limited….i need some advice please...if i still need to take the CG exam...thanks

:Melody: Hello and Welcome to Allnurses.com:Melody:

Someone will come along and assist you with your questions. Great to have you join us.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 30, 2005

hi everybody....i'm so glad to join this community...its a good way of communicating with nurses across the globe....
I'm from the Philippines and just passed the local board exam this June...I was advised by my aunt from Florida to take the NCLEX as soon as possible....I was about to ask some of my friends who are about to take the NCLEX on how to apply for eligibility to test but then they discouraged me because I'm already married, they said I must take CG exam first......Is it an issue, is taking the NCLEX related to civil status? I mean, are married foreign nurses not eligible to take the NCLEX? Is this related on what visa the US will give you? I'm also confused, is the visa that the US issue for foreign nurses who passed the NCLEX different from the visa they issue for foreign nurses who have CGFNS certificate...because this is the trend for some of the agency here in the Philippines, they require only CGFNS certificate....my aunt is very skeptic to this, she insist that I should be applying for an immigrant visa not a working visa which she said is very limited....i need some advice please...if i still need to take the CG exam...thanks

Welcome to the site :)

Every nurse wanting to practice in the US must pass the NCLEX. Depending on where you are going depends on CGFNS exam but I think there is only 1 state left now that requires that exam. Read the sticky's at the top of the page as they will answer most of your questions. From what I have learn't on here all nurses go on green card and not a working visa, this is for your protection. If you are planning on going to Florida you would probably be better going through NY BON and using the special reporting with CGFNS which entails them doing all the work for your paperwork instead of you doing all the running. You will need a visa screen which is obtained from CGFNS

Again I would suggest you read the sticky's at the top of the forum and then ask any unanswered questions.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 30, 2005

Marriage has absolutely nothing to do with working as a nurse in the US, or with your visa status. The only absolute requirements that you have are to take and pass the NCLEX exam, as well as the series of English exams.

CGFNS used to be required by most states two to three years ago, but that has been changed just to a Credentials Evaluation done by CGFNS and not the exam. Many in Manila still say that you need the exam, but only if you do not have the funds to fly to another country to take the NCLEX exam. And now, you have the choice of Hong Kong, Seoul, and Saipan for the exam.

Hope that this helps clear up any questions that you have, and please post if anymore questions come up.

sty16 · Oct 1, 2005

thanks to all of you....i really appreciate your replies...now i can move on and know what step to do next....what suzanne said about manila is true, many still believe that they need to take the CGFNS exam because thats what other agencies require them to do so and when they get to US, take the licensure exam which is a disadvantage, some become busy to concentrate for the exam and fails....still its much safer to pass the NCLEX before going to US after all there are still many adjustments that you will face....but still funds are still a big question to many...we can't stop them going for whats available to them

suzanne4, RN · Oct 1, 2005

You are correct, the CGFNS exam is still a viable alternative for those that need it, but it is not a requirement for licensure in the US. Immigration requires either CGFNS exam or NCLEX exam...............But CGFNS exam has nothing to do with licensure in the US.

NCLEX is also a much easier exam in relationship to the CGFNS exam, the formats are different, as well as the types of questions.

If the nurse has the funds available, the much starter choice would be just to go for the NCLEX exam, and skip the CGFNS exam. Especially with the strong possibility of another retrogression coming on for nurses in the Philippines, the task is getting the exams together as quickly as possible, and with CGFNS exam, that is not going to happen. You have to have all documents to them 90 days in advance, take the exam, then wait another six weeks or so to see if you passed or failed, but that is just the computer result, not the actual letter that is needed. NCLEX is the fastest way to go in most cases, especially when speed is so important for any of you right now.

sty16 · Oct 2, 2005

what you said about the NCLEX being easier than CGFNS exam is so inspiring coz i've learned today that my friend was having thoughts of taking the CGFNS exam in March because she thinks that she might fail the NCLEX after all her preparations...she thinks that the NCLEX is too broad...and i think she's worried because the review center she enrolled focus more on CGFNS and paper pencil test...and she told me that after she received the eligibility to test from the state BON she applied for, it will take her one year to sit for an exam..i don't know where she's gettin all the info coz what i've read from the threads of this forum, its about 4 mos\6 mos the most...correct me if i'm mistaken....i don't know when she has started her application but what i've heard from her she could sit for the CGFNS exam on March next year before she could have a schedule for the NCLEX... so I convince her to check out this forum so that she'll know what to decide afterall she's halfway thru the aplication process....

can you advise us more about NCLEX questions...i have read in the forums that you strongly recommend Saunder's comprehensive reviewer....would this give me enough confidence for NCLEX if i practice hard enough on the CD included....as you know we are more on paper pencil test here....we are not much used to computer adaptive test...is there available CD ROMS or websites where we can practice alternative type of questions....thank u suzanne for your patience in answering all of us who much needed your advice...thanku..godbless

suzanne4, RN · Oct 2, 2005

I have no idea as to where she registered for licensure.......On average, it takes about four to six months for a foreign-trained nurse to get approval to sit for the NCLEX. Can be quicker but it depends on how rapidly that the school does their part.

You have one year in most states for your application to remain valid with most Boards of Nursing, but only 90 days to take the exam, once you pay for it and receive your ATT.

Saunders also includes an excellent review CD with the book to help prepare you for the exam. There are some websites that you can use later once you have done all your preparation, just before taking the exam.

sty16 · Oct 2, 2005

i think she registered for new mexico....she said she'll be receiving her eligibility after 12 weeks...then pays for the exam and will wait for a number that she'll be receiving before she could schedule for the exam...is the number she's referring to related to the ATT that she will receive...about how long does it take to receive the ATT after applying to the testing center....is the time frame the same for all testing centers...as well as to where country you are from coz philippines have the highest stat taking the NCLEX in hongkong...thanks again in advance

suzanne4, RN · Oct 3, 2005

She does not wait for a number before she can sit for the exam. As soon as New Mexico approves of her credentials, she pays Pearson-Vue and they issue the ATT (with approval given to them by NM as well), and she can schedule a date for the exam. She will not get a number until she actually passes the NCLEX exam, and that will be her license number. Once she receives her ATT, she will have only 90 days to take the exam.

If Hong Kong has their days filled, you also have a choice of Saipan, as well as Seoul, Korea.

hael171972 · Oct 7, 2005

is the approval of i-140 affected by ones status - single or with dependents?

my friends case- pd was march 28, 2005 and was approved september 2, 2005, and he was single. mine was pd-january 4, 2005 and was approved september 16, 2005. i have dependents- a hubby and 2 kids. (its california service center) i have nothing against my friend. i'm happy for him that he got approved. what i am sad about is the delay it can caused me. :scrying:

please enlighten me...

thank you!

Rep · Oct 7, 2005

is the approval of i-140 affected by ones status - single or with dependents?
my friends case- pd was march 28, 2005 and was approved september 2, 2005, and he was single. mine was pd-january 4, 2005 and was approved september 16, 2005. i have dependents- a hubby and 2 kids. (its california service center) i have nothing against my friend. i'm happy for him that he got approved. what i am sad about is the delay it can caused me.
please enlighten me...
thank you!

civil status has nothing to do with petition case. in your case, approval was delayed because of lack of supporting documents from the petitioner, if i got the information right from you.