Vermont Cgfns and nyclex...the bermuda triangle!!

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Does anyone out there have any advice?

A bit of background:

I am a registered nurse licenced and working in Finland, all of my training and books were in English. I'm also a native English speaker. For the past year I have been working my way throgh the lengthy and complicated nurse immigration process. First, I signed up with a nursing recruitment firm calld hcl-internationl. Through hcl- international. I made an application to CGFNS for something called a CES report, the successful completion of which, would enable me to apply to the Vermont State Board of Nursing for permission to take the NYCLEX exam. (Those of you out there who are going through the same process will already know how much paperwork, information gathering not to mention money is required to complete the CES report.) My CES report was eventually completed and forwarded to Vermont for evaluation.

In the mean time. The recruitment agency hcl-international ceased to operate. Apparently they were no longer able to offer their services. They no longer had a deal with Kaplan Nursing the online NYCLEX test prep tool, they were no longer able to offer work placements in the US, and they were no longer able to offer advice. All this after I had paid them approximately 1000€ for their services. I'm not sure what to do about getting my money back but I'm working on it.

A few days ago I recieved a letter form the Vermont State Board of Nursing informing me that I had been denied to take the NCLEX-RN because ' ... Specifically, your education did not have 40 hours in Microbiology (theory/classroom hours). Incredibly I am short by only 13 hours of classroom study, which is approximately half a credit. They say I can appeal within 30 days of reciept of the letter, and a hearing will be scheduled where I can demonstrate that I am qualified to become licensed as a Registered Nurse in Vermont.

I really don't know what to do next. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would be much obliged.

Thank you in advance,

Fski

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Without meeting BON requirements getting eligibility to sit NCLEX will not happen. You could either appeal and provide information that you meet requirements or find an accredited course that will meet BON approval to take course.

Also want to make sure you are aware of retrogression and the long long wait for a immigrant visa. Not sure if you are looking at immigrant or work visa but work visa needs BSN minimum and employer has a lengthy process to prove you are the most suitable candidate for the job.

This may be why your agency went out of business, retrogression has had a huge impact on lots of people

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Thanks silverdragon for the speedy response. This is the first time I have ever posted something in a forum of this kind. I'm much obliged to you for taking the time.

You wrote:

'Also want to make sure you are aware of retrogression and the long long wait for a immigrant visa. Not sure if you are looking at immigrant or work visa but work visa needs BSN minimum'

They did attempt to explain retrogression to me when we spoke. I guess I was too stunned to take in the information.

You wrote: 'You could either appeal and provide information that you meet requirements or find an accredited course that will meet BON approval to take course.'

I know with only one credit of microbiology (27hours) I'm not going to get to take NYCLEX. It seems such a shame to miss out on taking the exam because of a 13 hour course deficit. I have read elsewhere on allnurses forum about it being possible to take microbiology courses online. Is there a list somewhere of schools/courses that VBON would find acceptible?

also...

Once I did complete the course requirements would I have to complete a CES report again from scratch? I mean asking my school and nursing licensing board and high school to send transcripts etc.?

Thanks for reading

Fski

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You will need to ask the BON what online courses are acceptable. If you do the course online you will need to arrange for them to send results direct to CGFNS and they will be able to add it to the rest of your stuff and would also suggest checking with BON because they may accept it being sent direct to them.

Retrogression basically means demand for immigrant visa is higher than the actual number of visas allocated annually. This current retrogression has been ongoing since Oct 2006 and at the moment shows no signs of abating. Current processing times for nurses (who generally come under the EB3 category) is 2005 and goes by your PD (priority date) when your I140 was filed and this you will need a employer as this is what they file.

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Thanks a lot silverdragon. This helped.

Regards,

Fski

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Hi Silverdragon102,

Fski Here,

Well I managed to immigrate to the US (two weeks ago). I am also now trying to verify my credentials using CGFNS's CVS. I understand that this is what one does if one is living in the US and a qualified professional. Do you or anyone else out there have any idea how long this process takes? I am still missing 13 hours of microbiology but at least from this side of the Atlantic I can take care of that relatively easily. Has anyone out there had the experience I am having. CGFNS want transcripts from my primary school!!! The bloody thing doesn't even exist any more, and it is well over 40 years since I was in primary schools, they don't keep paper records in schools any more. What happens if you cannot get a transcript? Will the transcript from my Nursing School be enough along with my nursing license??????Can anyone put me out of my misery?

Fski

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

CVS is only for New York so is that where you are planning on living and working?

Strange they are asking for transcripts from primary school as usually it is high school/secondary school they require and usually if less than 10 years. Better check with CGFNS on this because it is rare for them to ask when it has been this long

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Hi Silverdragon.

Well time flies. I managed to solve all those certification verification problems at long last. I took the NCLEX and passed it with 75 questions. Just got my license in the mail yesterday. I wanted to write and thank you for your help and advice over the years. Reading back I see how sincere you were ....and how patient to answer my questions.

Now I am looking for a job. It is a bit nerve wracking since I am a good deal older now than when I started this process. Hospitals don't seem to be too entheused about hiring internationally trained nurses and I am not sure how to overcome this obstacle. Any advice????

Regards,

Fski

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi Fski,

Happy to see you finally got sorted and congratulations on passing NCLEX.

If in NY then I think you will find it isn't just being International that is the issue. When I read the NY state forum many nurses both new grad and experienced have issues finding work. Keep an eye out for job fairs and if you think you are able to relocate then see elsewhere about jobs if not look and put in applications everywhere.

Good luck

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