Nurse Graduate from Finland Faces Setback with CES Requirements—What Are My Options?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It's understandable you're stressed. But there are a few options to explore, and where there's a will, there's a way.

Clarify the Deficiency with CGFNS

The deficiency could be that the number of clinical hours or the depth of experience in maternal health did not align with what is typically required for U.S. nursing programs.

In the U.S., certain areas of nursing, such as maternal health, have specific clinical competencies that must be met for licensure.

Start by contacting CGFNS directly for a more detailed explanation about why your maternal health clinicals are considered non-equivalent. Sometimes, this can be resolved with more documentation or clarification about the specifics of your clinical hours.

Ask them to explain exactly what aspect of your maternal health clinicals did not meet U.S. standards. Is it the number of hours, the type of training, or the curriculum? If they can provide you with a clearer reason or specific examples, you may have something to work with and be able to adjust your documentation accordingly.

Here's a sample letter:

Dear CGFNS Team,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a nursing graduate from Finland. I recently applied for the Credential Evaluation Service (CES) through CGFNS to gain licensure in the United States, specifically in Michigan.

However, I was informed that my maternal health clinicals did not meet the required U.S. standards, so my credential evaluation could not be completed successfully. This has put a hold on my application for licensure in Michigan, and I am seeking your guidance on how to address this deficiency.

Could you kindly provide clarification on the specific issues related to my maternal health clinicals? Specifically, I would like to know:

What specific deficiencies were found in my maternal health clinicals? Is it related to the number of hours, the type of training, or the curriculum covered?

What steps can I take to fulfill the required clinical competencies or hours? Are there any online courses, clinical programs, or accredited institutions that would allow me to meet U.S. standards in this area?

Is there any possibility of a reassessment or review of my clinicals once I complete additional coursework or training?

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on the best course of action to resolve this matter and move forward with my licensure application. My goal is to comply with all U.S. requirements so that I can begin practicing as a nurse in Michigan.

Thank you very much for your time and assistance. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your CGFNS Application Number (if applicable)]
[Your Contact Information]
[Your Address ]

Stay patient and wait for a response from CGFNS, which could take a few business days. Once you've communicated the issue, they should be able to guide you on how to fix it and hopefully provide detailed instructions on how to resolve the clinical deficiency.

Follow up if you don't receive a response within 10-14 days. Use CGFNS Contact Us page.

Review Michigan State's Requirements

Also, contact Michigan's BON to confirm the clinical hours you need in maternal health and ask for a list of approved programs.  They may have guidelines or suggestions on addressing the deficiency in your clinicals, or they may accept alternative documentation or additional courses to meet the requirements.

Additional Courses

If your maternal health experience is lacking, consider enrolling in a refresher course or clinical training to fulfill this requirement. Some universities or nursing programs may offer online courses or clinical internships that can help bridge the gap and align your credentials with U.S. standards.

Explore Other States

If Michigan does not change, it might be worth exploring other states that are more flexible in accepting foreign-trained nurses or that offer a faster path to licensure. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) may provide some options and assistance if you decide to move to a different state for work.

Other Resources

• American Nurses Association (ANA). The ANA offers guidance on nursing credentialing. They may also have helpful links to credentialing experts or consulting services.
• Many international nurses use online forums or Facebook groups dedicated to nurses seeking licensure in the U.S.. These groups often share personal experiences and provide recommendations for credentialing experts and agencies. Some well-known groups include the CGFNS Nurse Immigrants Group (on Facebook). Sometimes, the most help comes from others on the same journey.

• International Nursing forum here on all nurses

• State-specific resources. Research the state requirements on your state's nursing board website to see if they list any credentialing experts or recommended agencies.

To summarize your steps

• Contact CGFNS for credential evaluation and certification breakdown.
• Contact Michigan's BON for state-specific licensing details.
• Explore credentialing agencies or consultants for step-by-step assistance.
• Consider bridge programs or refresher courses to address any clinical deficiencies.
• Connect with others and get recommendations on online forums. Sometimes, this is the best way to get guidance.

Although this is stressful, you're not alone, and certainly not alone in needing to meet maternal health requirements. There are steps you can take to overcome this. Stay persistent, and don't hesitate to seek support or professional advice. You've already gotten this far—keep going!

Nurse beth

 

[porterfallah]

I went through the state of NY as an Australian BSN holder and had no issues. I'm only studying for my NCLEX now.