NCLEX-RN NOW GIVEN OUTSIDE USA
NCLEX-RN OFFERED OUTSIDE USA AT TESTING CENTERS

These newly established NCLEX-RN “testing centers" will afford nurses the opportunity to
take this exam after they have earned their CGFNS certificates, the employer in the US has
petitioned for them and are waiting outside the US for their immigrant visas.

However, it should be noted that the immigration laws for nurses permit the nurse to have
passed either CGFNS or NCLEX-RN to have the employer file the petition with the
immigration department (which starts the visa waiting period). The obvious question is “why
should I take CGFNS if taking and passing NCLEX-RN permits the employer to file the
immigration petition and permits me to work in a US State”?  


California is one of the states that does not require the nurse pass CGFNS as a condition
to being licensed. So, in effect, doctors who have the ability to take the NCLEX-RN exams
in one of the exam sites outside the US, could elect to take this exam in lieu of CGFNS.

Prior to 2005 these nurses’ only option was to earn the CGFNS certificate, secure a job
offer from a US employer, and take the NCLEX-RN only after they arrived in the US with
their green cards.

Now the exam is offered in many countries at International NCLEX Testing Centers

The foreign nurse who earns the CGFNS certificate, who thereafter is petitioned by a US
employer, becomes a more valuable future employee to that employer if while they are
waiting for the green card interview they are able to sit  for and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

BENEFITS TO DOCTORS EARNING NURSING DIPLOMAS!
India or one the CGFNS exam if they can arrange to take the NCLEX-RN exam in remains
an option, that as indicated also permits the employer to file the immigration remains an
option, that as indicated also permits the employer to file the immigration option, that as
indicated also permits the employer to file the immigration petition in the US to bring the
nurse to work with the green card;
immigration petition in the US to bring the nurse to work with the green card;
the US to bring the nurse to work with the green card;
US to bring the nurse to work with the green card;

  1. Russian and Ukraine nursing diploma graduates.  NCLEX-RN permits the nurse
    student to register for the exam while still studying so long as a definite date of
    graduation is noticed it by the educational institution where the diploma is being
    earned. This means that an examination date to take the NCLEX-RN can be
    scheduled to coincide with when the doctor completes the diploma program;
  2. No loss of time between graduation and exam.  Doctors can start and complete the
    Nurse Diploma courses whenever available, and do not have to be dependent on
    when their date of graduation is and the next available CGFNS exam is scheduled;
  3. A more desirable sponsored nurse employee. Because of the acute shortage of
    nurses in the US, hospitals and other health care provider's must strategically plan to
    replace those nurses who will retire, and for the inevitable loss of some nurses to job
    changes. Many employers look to foreign nurses to meet these needs.  Recruiting a
    nurse in his or her home country has become a common practice, and often
    recruiters or employers sponsor the nurses for the necessary examinations.  The
    passing rate for first time CGFNS examinees is less than 50%. The passing rate for
    NCLEX-RN for foreign trained nurses is less than 50%. This translates into less than
    25% of the sponsored nurses arriving to work for the sponsoring employer, in the
    minimal amount of time. There are no statistics available from either NCLEX or
    CGFNS concerning the first time passing rate by medical doctors taking the nursing
    exams.  Given the higher aptitudes of graduates from medical schools, the one year
    of preparation they have while earning their nurse diplomas, and generally their
    superior English language skills, it is believed that few doctors will not pass either of
    these tests on their first attempt.  Minimum 90%. This should translate into a passing
    rate 4 times higher than the average foreign educated nurse who first sit for CGFNS
    and then NCLEX-RN.  

For employers filing immigration petitions for the nurses, their main concern is the nurse
arriving in the US and being able to work immediately, or taking and passing the NCLEX-RN
at the first available date after arrival. Clearly doctors with nursing diplomas afford
employers a better option for strategic planning purposes.

The immigration laws now requires healthcare professionals, including registered nurses
qualified outside the United States to have a VisaScreen Certificate   

The CGFNS Certificate or passing the NCLEX-RN licensing examination satisfy the
requirements for earning the VisaScreen Certificate.