The credentialing process for international nurses in the United States involves a series of steps to ensure that the nurse’s education and training are equivalent to that of a U.S. educated nurse.
- Education and Licensure Verification: The first step in the credentialing process is to verify the nurse’s education and licensure. This includes confirming that the nurse has completed a nursing program that meets the requirements of the nursing regulatory body in the state where they plan to work and that they hold a current, active nursing license in their home country.
- English Language Proficiency Testing: As mentioned earlier, the nurse must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through an accepted English language proficiency test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
- NCLEX-RN Examination: The nurse must also pass the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain a license to practice as a registered nurse in the United States.
- Visa Credentials Assessment: service is a comprehensive screening service for healthcare professionals. Specific healthcare professionals must pass a screening program before receiving either a permanent or an occupational visa including Trade NAFTA status.
Additional Requirements: Some nursing regulatory bodies may require additional steps in the credentialing process, such as a criminal background check or additional education or training.
It’s important to note that the requirements for the credentialing process may vary depending on the state or regulatory body. International nurses should always check with the specific nursing regulatory body where they plan to work to determine what the requirements are for the credentialing process.
Education and licensure verification is an important step in the credentialing process for international nurses who wish to work in the United States. This step ensures that the nurse’s education and licensure meet the requirements set forth by the nursing regulatory body in the state where they plan to work.
To verify the nurse’s education, the nursing regulatory body will typically require the nurse to submit their academic transcripts from their nursing program. These transcripts will be evaluated to ensure that the nursing program meets the requirements for licensure in the state where the nurse plans to work. The nursing regulatory body may also require additional documentation to verify the nurse’s education, such as course descriptions or syllabi.
CREDENTIAL EVALUATION SERVICE PROVIDERS (CGFNS)
CES stands for Credential Evaluation Service. It is a service offered by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) that evaluates the education and licensure of international nurses. The purpose of CES is to ensure that the education and training of international nurses are equivalent to that of a U.S.-educated nurse.
The CES report includes a detailed evaluation of the nurse’s education, including a course-by-course evaluation of their nursing program. It also verifies the nurse’s licensure in their home country and confirms that they have completed the required clinical hours.
To obtain a CES report, the nurse must submit their academic transcripts, nursing license, and other required documentation to the CGFNS. The CGFNS will then evaluate the nurse’s education and licensure and provide a detailed report of their findings.
https://www.cgfns.org/services/credentials-evaluation/credentials-evaluation-service-professional-report/
JS&A
JS&A has been approved for evaluating nursing academic credentials for 26 state boards of nursing. Company sends foreign credential evaluations to state boards of nursing along with verified academic credentials, charts, and verified foreign nursing licenses. They do not charge for verification services.
https://www.jsilny.org/services.aspx
English language proficiency tests are often required for international nurses who wish to work in the United States. These tests are used to assess the nurse’s ability to communicate effectively in English, which is essential for providing safe and effective patient care.
The most commonly accepted English language proficiency tests for international nurses in the United States are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Both tests assess a candidate’s reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English.
The TOEFL exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is accepted by a large number of nursing regulatory bodies in the United States. The exam consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, and the total test time is approximately 4 hours.
The IELTS exam is administered by the British Council and is also widely accepted by nursing regulatory bodies in the United States. The exam consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and the total test time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
In addition to the TOEFL and IELTS exams, some nursing regulatory bodies may accept other English language proficiency tests, such as the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or the Occupational English Test (OET).
It’s important to note that the requirements for English language proficiency tests may vary depending on the state or regulatory body. Candidates should always check with the specific nursing regulatory body where they plan to work to determine which English language proficiency test is required and what the minimum score requirements are.
The NCLEX-RN examination is a standardized test that is used to determine whether a candidate is qualified to become a licensed registered nurse (RN) in the United States. The exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and is used by all U.S. state and territorial boards of nursing.
The NCLEX-RN exam is a computerized adaptive test, which means that the difficulty of the questions is adjusted based on the candidate’s responses. The exam is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in areas such as:
- Safe and effective care environment: This section of the exam covers topics such as infection control, safety and risk reduction, and management of care.
- Health promotion and maintenance: This section of the exam covers topics such as growth and development, disease prevention, and health promotion.
- Psychosocial integrity: This section of the exam covers topics such as mental health concepts, coping mechanisms, and support systems.
- Physiological integrity: This section of the exam covers topics such as pharmacology, nutrition and hydration, and physiological adaptation.
The NCLEX-RN exam consists of between 75 and 265 questions, and candidates are given up to six hours to complete the exam. The exam is pass/fail, and the passing standard is based on the candidate’s ability to demonstrate competence in all four areas of the exam.
Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements set by their state or territorial board of nursing in order to take the NCLEX-RN exam. This typically includes completing an approved nursing education program and passing a criminal background check.
Preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam can be challenging, and many candidates choose to enroll in review courses or use study guides and practice exams to help them prepare. Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam is a critical step in the process of becoming a licensed registered nurse in the United States.
- Visa Credentials Assessment service is a comprehensive screening service for healthcare professionals. Specific healthcare professionals must pass a screening program before receiving either a permanent or an occupational visa including Trade NAFTA status.
- Purpose of the VisaScreen®? Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (the IIRIRA) requires specific healthcare professionals to complete a screening program before they can receive either a permanent or temporary occupational visa, including Trade NAFTA status.
- CGFNS International is approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to validate the credentials of nine foreign healthcare professions for occupational visas.
- JS&A is another organization approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security of the USCIS to issue Certification, Visa4Nurses (Visa Screen) for Registered Nurses
State Board of Nursing list accepts Visa Screen Certificate done by JS & A Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.