Steps for U.S. Citizen foreign educated RN's :)

tobby_walter · Sep 24, 2008

I am a foreign educated U.S. citizen, currently on my 3rd year of BSN and Im confused about what to do when I want to work as an RN back home. I have heard of different stories on what to do. For example, somebody advised me to take the CGFNS then take the NCLEX-RN. Some other person told me the my school would take care of everything, NCLEX-RN, that sort of thing and that the CGFNS is not really required. Would someone give me steps to be able to work back at home starting from graduating nursing school? Thanks.
Sincerly,
Richie Domingo

what do you mean US citizen? is it dual citizen? where in state you wana apply after graduating?

only few states require cgfns exam, it will depends on what state you will be applying for licensure in the states. some states just require a CES or CVS (newyork) that can be obtain thru cgfns as an additonal requirement before they permit you to take the exam.

if you are a dual citizen holder you must take the NLE before going back as some states require a local license where you obtain your dergree in nursing. and you can sit for the nle since you are still under the jurisdiction of philippines.

if your a US citizen holder just ask for a letter to the bon philippines stating that you are not allowed to take the NLE due to citizenship requirement and have it sealed then forward to the state where you wana apply for your licensure.

good luck on your studies!:loveya:

suzanne4, RN · Sep 24, 2008

Your school does nothing other than submit your transcripts. There are only four states out of the entire US that require the CGFNS exam.

It is all going to come down to the state where you wish to get licensed, they each have their own requirements. You did not mention the state so it is hard to give you specifics.

You do need to be aware that licensure and immigration are two very different things and you will need to meet the requirements for the foreign trained nurse for the state where you wish to work. You can also check out the requirements directly on the website for the state that you are interested in as well.

Do be aware that if you hold dual citizenship, then you are going to be required by some states to actually write the NLE exam before you will be granted permission to sit for the NCLEX exam. Dual citizenship means that you are not exempt from this requirement since you would be permitted to write the exam. You did not make mention of this either.

NCLEX-RN is the licensure exam and you are going to have to apply to the state for licensure and then get approval to sit for the exam; you do not apply directly for it and again your school has nothing to do with the application at all.

I would recommend that you read the Primer at the top of this page for information that you need to have. Also be aware that it will be months after you finish your program before you will be able to work here. You are unable to submit a thing until you have a completed set of transcripts and then your credentials will need to be evaluated either by the state or CGFNS with the CES, again depends on the state.

Hope that this helps.

dsingson5 · Sep 26, 2008

what do you mean US citizen? is it dual citizen? where in state you wana apply after graduating?
only few states require cgfns exam, it will depends on what state you will be applying for licensure in the states. some states just require a CES or CVS (newyork) that can be obtain thru cgfns as an additonal requirement before they permit you to take the exam.

Your school does nothing other than submit your transcripts. There are only four states out of the entire US that require the CGFNS exam.
It is all going to come down to the state where you wish to get licensed, they each have their own requirements. You did not mention the state so it is hard to give you specifics.
Do be aware that if you hold dual citizenship, then you are going to be required by some states to actually write the NLE exam before you will be granted permission to sit for the NCLEX exam. Dual citizenship means that you are not exempt from this requirement since you would be permitted to write the exam. You did not make mention of this either.

Thanks for the help guys,

Yes, I am a dual citizen. So, does this mean I have to take the Philippine NLE?

My state? Oh, I live in California. :)

This is what I got form you guys:

First take the NLE, second finish the CES(if required by the california state BON), third get approval to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and last take the NCLEX-RN.

Is this right? So, After I pass the NCLEX-RN then and only will I be able to work as an RN?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 27, 2008

Thanks for the help guys,
Yes, I am a dual citizen. So, does this mean I have to take the Philippine NLE?
My state? Oh, I live in California. :)
This is what I got form you guys:
First take the NLE, second finish the CES(if required by the california state BON), third get approval to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and last take the NCLEX-RN.
Is this right? So, After I pass the NCLEX-RN then and only will I be able to work as an RN?

Ca do their own assessment so do not need CES but they do require NLE so you will have to do it. Yes only after you meet BRN requirements and pass NCLEX will you be able to work as a RN and processing times for Ca is approx 4 months

suzanne4, RN · Sep 27, 2008

As a dual citizen, it means that you are not exempt from the NLE. CA rquires that you take and pass it before they will grant you permission to sit for the NCLEX exam.

The CES is not needed as CA will not even look at it.

Best of luck on your exam.

--------------------------------

Just to explain this to others that are reading here. Licensure and immigration are two very different things and are not related when it comes to getting a license. Each state is free to set their own requirements as far as licensure and we are seeing more and more require the local license from the home country, or where one trained if the training was done out of the US. Even with a US passport, one is still considered a foreign-trained nurse and needs to meet those requirements. The only people that are exempt from writing the NLE are those that hold only citizenship in the US, and are not dual citizens. The Philippine government will not permit a non-citizen to sit for that exam, even if they trained there.

Even if one holds a green card for the US, you are still considered a citizen of the Philippines and hold that passport; the NLE is not exempt for you and will be required for licensure in CA. There is no way around it any longer, they are not making exceptions to this.

dsingson5 · Sep 27, 2008

As a dual citizen, it means that you are not exempt from the NLE. CA rquires that you take and pass it before they will grant you permission to sit for the NCLEX exam.
.

I am a U.S. born citizen and just got my dual citizenship with the philippines a while back. Is it any different?

It's not really a problem for me taking the philippine NLE and I would gladly take it if it is really a requirement. But its no exemption right? I really have to take it? :)

Thank you

suzanne4, RN · Sep 27, 2008

By getting the dual citizenship, you are now required to write the NLE. If you only held US citizenship, then you would not be permitted to write it in the first place.

You have no choice but to write it if you wish to get licensed in CA. Best of luck to you.