nicole0214

Seeking advice on how to endorse my HI RN lic to MA please. How long does this process take? And can you hold dual/multiple RN licenses at the same time? *Mods, sorry if this question has been asked before. If it was, please point me to the right direction. Thanks.*

Aloha Hawaii RNs, I'm hoping it's not too personal to ask but what's your hourly wage? Please indicate what type of nursing you're in and which island you're located. I am currently in home health nursing and work for a private agency. And I believe I'm paid waaaaaay below the average. ? just considering options. Thank you. ??

Thanks, RN_Pro. Man, all this time, I thought having passed the NCLEX and having a job offer were enough to get me to the US, how wrong I was. All this wasted time. Tsk. Here's another question. I read in the VS handbook about a Certified Statement as an alternative to the VS. And I quote: "The registered nurse must have passed NCLEX-RN® and be currently licensed/registered to practice in one of the following five states: Florida, Georgia, New York, Illinois or Michigan. CGFNS must receive a Request for Validation of License/ Registration/Diploma form from one of those states." I was originally licensed in New York and have requested my license to be endorsed to Hawaii. Does this mean, I just missed out on the opportunity to be exempt from VS just because I am now licensed in Hawaii? Please, please, somebody explain to me what this Certified Statement is all about. Thank you.

Hi, all. I'd just like to ask whether all RNs who enter the US, would need a visa screen? Lol, that's broad. Soooo, I'm an internationally-educated nurse residing here in Canada. I have finally been given a RN license by Hawaii and my problem now is whether to apply for a visa screen certificate to make my entry to the US smoother or enter the US without it? I have passed the CGFNS certification program and have the CES report as well. Other documentations needed are all in order, I just want to know if I need the visa screen. Looking forward to your inputs. Thank you!!!

Hi all. After finally passing my NY NCLEX, i immediately transferred my license to Hawaii. NY had been gracious enough to have endorsed my lic. ASAP, but as for Hawaii, it's taking months to get a decision from them. After 4 months of waiting, they've decided that since I don't have a US social security number (I live in Canada), a CES report from CGFNS would be needed in order for the BON to give me a provisional lic. I already passed my CGFNS exam way back 2008. I was hoping I could just provide the HI BON my CGFNS certificate but they said that what they needed was the CES. Also, they won't provide my provisional lic. if my CES showed that my credentials were deficient. As of now, I can't put two and two together. Has anyone been in such a situation? All inputs are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Congratulations! I also took my NCLEX on Nov. 30. Found out I passed. Been checking nursys.com for my name to show up, as of today, Dec. 5, nothing yet. So I called NY BON and they said hopefully they'll put it up tomorrow afternoon. They said they were swamped with new licensees so it'll take time.

I did! I totally killed it! :) Answering questions daily really helped a lot. :)

Hi, all. I'm not much of a poster but more of a lurker. I learned a lot from this site that I vowed to myself that I'd give back when I passed my NCLEX. So here I am. :) Yes, I have been out of nursing school for 10 years. And I was tired of being a caregiver that I finally decided to get licensed. I am an IEN from the Phil. who moved to Quebec, Canada. I had no more stamina to put up with Quebec's language laws so I applied for licensure in NY. Fast track so & so years, I received my ATT and scheduled my exam. Trying to condition my brain to get back to learning was haaaard. I found my concentration was always wandering so I started slow. But first, I needed to get myself organized. I decided to stick with only a few materials so as not to get myself overwhelmed, so I chose UWorld & Kaplan. Before starting, I searched on this site to get an idea on how to set up my own study calendar. Through searching, I found out that most of the people posting were fresh graduates. They were posting that they got 65% and higher for their diagnostics, QTrainers, and QBanks. Please don't get intimidated by these numbers, like I did! Instead, take it as a motivation and always endure to reach that peak. So here's what I did: Set up a study calendar and stick to it. Never falter. Stick to your calendar. Enlist all the help of your family members esp. if you need somebody to look after your kids. Dedicate time for your review. It took me 1.5 months; 6 hours each day, 6 days a week for my review. Kaplan recommends 168 hours in order to complete the Phase 3 of their review, which is the most important part. Make sure to complete QTrainers 4, 5, 6, 7, Readiness Test and answer at least 90% of the QBank. Don't be discouraged if you got 40% something on your diagnostic test. Strive harder. This test doesn't have a rationale, just determine where your strengths or weaknesses are. Answer 150 questions daily. I say 150 because if I go anything higher than that, my concentration's caput! But if you can answer more, the better. I answered 75 questions in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. This way, I can review each question and understand each rationale after each exam. I jot everything down in a notebook, that way, it gets etched in my memory... somehow. :) do the same with the other half. Make it a habit. Even if your familiar with the topic, look it up. You don't know the topic of the question? Look it up. I resorted to UWorld because Kaplan is so short on words on some of their rationales. And UWorld does a good job on explaining rationales. Also, they have great visual aids and hot spot illustrations. I never had the chance to finish all the videos. But if you have the time and need more content review, videos are a must. I bought the physical copy of the ebook and watched the video along with each topic and wrote notes on the book if needed. I had an amazing instructor in my Kaplan Live Online Class: Ms. Karen Lilyquist. She did a good job explaining on how to use the Decision Tree. Utilize the tree! Don't read into the question! The NCLEX study guide found in this website was also very useful. It didn't make sense the first time I was reading it but as I progressed with my review, I found out that it was a gold mine of information. I leafed through it on the night before my exam. They say to stay relaxed the day before the exam, that was impossible. I needed to do something. Study Guide: https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8687&d=1310076980 Along with this site's study guide, I refreshed my memory with the cram sheet: Nursing Exam Cram Sheet for NCLEX-RN - Nurseslabs Know your normal values! I found that running for 40 minutes helped with my ability to concentrate. My mind doesn't wander like it used to. :) I took my NCLEX in Honolulu, HI on Nov. 30, 2016. My exam was at 8AM but didn't get to start my exam til 8:30. Computer shut down at 75, 50 minutes later. Got a bunch of unending SATAs, ECG strips, drag and drop, prioritization and meds! No drug calculations, thank goodness! A little bit of delegation. Found out I passed 2 days later. As of this date: 11/30/2016, the PVT worked for me. I got the good pop-up a few hours after my exam. I am posting this with hopes that people who are looking to come back to nursing, can always do so. It just takes a little bit of sacrifice and dedication. :) To future NCLEX takers, good luck! Also, thanks to AllNurses.com for the insights and motivations! P.S. Has anyone here heard of Marlon Ray Labagnoy's Review Center in Baguio City, Philippines? Is Sir Marlon still around? Thanks. :)

Nope. I'm an IEN.

Apparently, I was totally out of the loop. I'm only learning now that Canada is replacing CRNE with NCLEX! So here's my situation: I am Canadian who applied to NY BON for NCLEX. Paper works are all done and BON only gave me until Feb. 5 for the validity of my ATT. So what happens if I pass and don't want to work in NY anymore but want to remain here in Canada instead? Will the (enter Province name) College of Nurses have to evaluate my papers for reciprocity or will there be another exam just to stay where I am? Any inputs are greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks. Looking into Hurst now.

Hi to all the wonderful people of allnurses! As the title of the thread states, I was out of nursing for 6 years (Philippines)! But have been working as a nursing assistant close to 2 years (Canada). I just received my ATT and is only valid for 3 months! I don't know where/what/how to start reviewing for the NCLEX. I've been combing through the forum and found some materials but how to read it in such a short time is what overwhelms me. Any inputs of how to tackle this dilemma will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

For the applicants who went through CVS, how long does it take for CGFNS to evaluate the papers? I read in this thread that it took 8 months. Is it the same for everyone? Shorter than 8?

This is a "what-if" situation. We all know that when you fail the CRNE, you must retake the whole course or find another calling. But what are your chances if you moved to Quebec? Likewise for a Quebec graduate nurse who had failed 3 times, will she be able to start all over through the CRNE?Just wondering. :) thanks for all your inputs.

Hi all.. I really need help 'coz until now, I'm really undecided of what to do next. I am a GPL here in Montreal and I plan to transfer to AB. The thing is, I was led to believe that when you are a GPL here, you have the same status if you go to AB. A friend told me no. She said I'd have to go under the evaluation process again. So now, I plan to take the OIIQ first before transferring. I was really hoping I could take the CRNE instead. If I pass the OIIQ, without having completed the French exam requirement, am I able to be recognized as an RN in AB after I pass their IELTS? Mods, please forgive me if this question have been posted before. Please do direct me to those threads if ever.. :) Thanks to everyone in advance for your inputs, much appreciated. :redbeathe

Hi there yoopian, I didn't really know about that until now. I did wonder just by lurking thru this forum, how come a great number of Pinoys suddenly took interest in coming to Quebec. If I knew, I could have informed my friends there too.. :) How are you now with your application? Hope all's well.. :)

Information regarding the Integration Program through a college: Out of 20 or more schools offering transition programs here in Quebec, only one college is offering it in English and it's the John Abbott College. Fees for enrolling would be $100 for registration and $500-$1000 to be spent for paraphernalias and books needed for school. It usually last 6 months. First 3 months is a very intensive theory and the rest are clinicals. After passing the program, you now have a CPN status which allows you to work as an RN (but under supervision) until you pass the OIIQ exam. Wages for working as a CPN is similar to that of a RN. As for the French exam, like a previous poster have said, it's like the IELTS having 4 parts in it: oral, reading comprehension, writing, listening. You could take this examination every after 3 months if you haven't passed it the 1st time. And you only have to retake the parts where you failed. There are no fees for taking this exam. If in the long run you wanted to take the 7 months intensive high school in French, you wouldn't be required to take the French exam anymore. This is like the last resort if within 4 years since passing your OIIQ exam, that you haven't passed your French exam yet. One more thing; after having granted CPN status, you must pass your OIIQ exam within 2 years. You still don't have the full RN permit if you pass the OIIQ exam that's why you must take the French exam within 4 years of passing the OIIQ. Miasat, It's been awhile! Didn't know you had plans transferring! I might as well be doing the same. LOL! Hope all's well. How's it there in Winnipeg? :) To my fellow kababayans, I wish you all the luck!

Mia, So far, no luck in St. Mary's for me.. The program's full until next year so I'll be enrolling for the integration program in a CEGEP instead.. It may take long but I really hope it could help me alleviate my anxieties regarding our soon-to-be roles as nurses here in Quebec.. Have you taken the exams yet? How was it? I forgot to wish you luck.. :) Congratulations in advanced if you passed! :)

Hi Jopin, Welcome to Montreal! I really hope you're enjoying your stay here.. :) Also, congratulations on your temporary permit! Your level is way bit more advanced than what I'm in right now so I don't have much to say about it.. But I'm happy you're already part of Quebec's workforce.. (Unlike me who still have to go under the grueling process of paper works and integrations).. All I know is that, you can already work with your permit and have 2 years lee way, from the time you receive your invitation, to take the nursing exams.. St. Mary's Hospital is a really nice place to start.. At least it's a bilingual institution.. When I went there, I was advised to send my resume online and call the human resource officer after a day or two to follow up on it.. I really wish you luck, Jopina.. Oh, I haven't applied for the French exam yet.. I'm taking my sweet time to learn the language first.. :) For more queries, just feel free to post.. The staff around here are helpful too.. Good luck again!

janfrn/staff, Please help me find answers to the following.. :) Folks in Alberta say that once you are licensed there, you could almost work anywhere in Canada's provinces including Quebec.. Is that true? While people in Quebec say otherwise, it's when you're a Quebec RN that you may work anywhere in Canada.. Is there any truth about that? Thank you in advance for any inputs.. Greatly appreciated.. :)

Thanks so much for the info, Mia.. At least they give you something back when you fail.. But I'm really praying that we could nail the exams on the first take.. A letter from the OIIQ came in the mail today.. They were asking me to register for the French exams already.. Whew.. Guess I'm not prepared for that yet.. It's a good thing though that there is no fee for that exam.. I wonder if it's something similar with the IELTS.. You think? How was your integration program, MIA? Was it difficult? Were you required to do nursing care plans, etc? About the pay, how much were you paid? For your exam preparation, have you joined any study group? Are there such in Montreal? So sorry for bugging you with these questions.. I'm just edgy and still have many questions in my mind that are waiting to go berserk.. Please be patient with me.. Lol.. Good luck with your exams.. Do keep me posted please.. :) Thank you..

Thanks for the immediate response Mia.. :) Wow, that would be really added pressure especially with the exam fee costing 400+.. And really, the OIIQ are the ones that invite you to take the exam.. Whew.. Good luck then if you'll be sitting for the exam on September.. Oh, by the way, were you paid during your 40 day integration program? Hehe.. Just wanted to know.. Thanks again..

Hi Mia, I really wanted to send you a private message but I can't do so at the moment yet (I have to have 15 posts in this forum :)).. Anyway, I just received my evaluation results from the OIIQ.. Fortunately, I also have to do a 40 day integration in a clinical setting or in a college institution.. Thank goodness it was not what I expected.. I've heard a lot of stories that nurses like us who come here will have to study for atleast 2 years.. Also, I really thought they'd send me to a school for a refresher course because it was years ago that I finished my studies.. I really wanted to ask you how your integration program is doing? I just hope they're not giving you a hard time.. I also have to go the same process as yours, have to find an institution that will help me.. I don't even know where to start first but will surely drop by at St. Mary's.. :) Oh, what edition of the exam preparation guide book do you have? I saw the most recent one and man was it too thick! And costs $50 bucks! There's one thing that's also bugging me.. I don't know if I'm going to learn everything I need to know in the 40-day-integration program compared to enrolling in a CEGEP.. I'm itching to get back to the workforce but it's my lack of experience and knowledge that I'm afraid of.. Please do get back to me.. Good luck to us..

hi blackforest_14. good thing you started you're application for evaluation. are you a fresh graduate? i'm in the same situation as yours, also from the philippines (only, we can't talk in filipino here as per forum's tos). i'm only waiting for the verdict of the nursing committee which could take at least a month to arrive. the thing is, i applied directly thru the oiiq. paid the $600+ fee to open up a file. i think this is mandatory because they can't evaluate your papers not until you pay this to "open up a file" in your name. then, they gave me an application packet which is supposed to be sent back home to the schools, previous employeer, prc, etc. is this the form you sent back home? you should call the oiiq or the micc to follow up and ask the situation of your papers. as for the certified true copies, let your friend back home acquire a certified true copy of your otr from your school. i believe they also ask a certified true copy of your birth certificate so let it all be accomplished before they send them to you/oiiq. what were the requirements of the micc that you completed? good luck in your application and always feel free to post more questions here.

wow, sorry for not reading the TOS, mods.. but you could have removed the french line as well, not only the line with my native tongue.. (sorry, it just went right through me..) hi Mia.. so glad you made it through the waiting period.. i'm still waiting for mine.. i called them a week ago and said that i should be expecting a letter from the "committee".. is it the same with you? how long did it take to reach you? i really hope i would be placed in the same situation as yours--having a 40 day integration program.. but it was years ago that i graduated ('06).. :) an acquaintance of mine in st. mary's had been telling me to apply there.. she said i wouldn't have to worry about french because i'll be learning as i'll work there.. but how could i not worry if my license depends on that.. :) so, good luck then.. update me soon on how your work goes.. i hope all goes well for all of us.. oh, and what part of montreal are you from?