NCLEX without passing CG???

Yes, it is possible. Examples are New York and California. HOWEVER, if you wish to move to another state within the first two years you will be required to complete CGFNS at that time. This is a requirement of many other states, CGFNS only gets waived if you have worked two years in the US in another state.

If you are already preparing to take NCLEX, it makes sense to complete CGFNS then also and not have to chance taking it later on. Whatever you do, you will be required to complete a Visa Screen and this is done thru the office of CGFNS. I would take it and get it done with and save yourself alot of grief.

You will not be able to apply for a green card until you have completed either CGFNS or NCLEX. And currently you must travel to the US to do that.

If you have any more questions please feel free to PM me.

If you did not apply for an H1B visa before this past September, you will be required to have a completed Visa Screen. All healthcare personnel will be required to complete this after July, 2004. Whether you will stay on a temporary visa or want a green card. Nurses already working in the US will have one year to complete this. If not, and you leave the country for vacation, you will not be allowed back in the US because your reason for being in the US will be for work, and you will not be allowed to work without it. In order to get the Visa Screen Certificate from CGFNS, you must pass the full series of English exams, which means speaking and writing also. You have a choice of TOEFL,TSE, and TWE, or TOEIC,TSE,TWE, or IELTS academic branch. Plus you must have passed CGFNS or NCLEX.

CGFNS certificate is just that you passes CGFNS exam and TOEFL or TOEIC. This is not acceptable any longer for US work permit. It must be the Visa Screen Certificate, also offered by CGFNS.

Big Difference.

CGFNS stands for Certification for Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. All nurses coming to the US must pass either CGFNS exam or NCLEX plus the complete battery of English exams before being considered for a visa. CGFNS is given primarily overseas and in only 6 sites in the US. NCLEX currently is given only in the US and its territories but they are talking about starting a trial program administering the exam in several overseas countries sometime later this year or next.

Hope that this info helps.

There are no such things as working visas for nurses, unless you have a spouse that has one. To get a visa on your own, it is only with a green card.

California may require only TOEFL, however to get a Visa Screen Certificate you must have the full set, which includes writing and speaking skills. Most hospitals want documented skills for their nurse hires. They can have stricter requirements than the state and many do.

You cannot endorse to any state with a California license right away. Many require that you have at least two years work experience in the US before they will let you endorse. Example: Illinois. Michigan requires CGFNS exam for any foreign nurse, even Canadian.

TOEFL score is minimum 0f 207 computerized, or 540 pencil and paper.

TSE must be 5.0 or perfect score. You will also need TWE as well. This is a separate exam if you are doing the pencil/paper version but is included on the computerized exam.

BJ: Are you actually working as a nurse yet in California?