16. July 2007 by dmo.

In February of this year, the NCSBN designated the Philippines as one of the newest international testing center to administer the NCLEX examinations.  Many Filipinos are very happy and excited about this news as this will make it a lot more convenient for them to take the exam instead of going to a nearby country, like China (Hong Kong).  This privilege will definitely help a lot of Filipino nurses in their dream to become qualified as a nurse in the US.

Starting July 13, 2007, the International Pearson Professional Center in Manila will  begin scheduling for examination appointments. The NCSBN is pleased to announce the first administration of the NCLEX examination in Manila will be in August 23, 2007.  With this announcement, good luck to the first batch of test takers and may this prove our pride as Filipino nurses in the US.

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »

22. May 2007 by dmo.

The Nursing Licensure Exam for June 2007 will be held on the
10^th and 11^th of June. The
exam will be conducted to accommodate both the new takers and the re-takers. The re-takers of the exam are either one of
the 1,687 examinees ordered by the Court of Appeals to re-take the exam; those
who are voluntarily re-taking the test parts 3 and 5 for the purpose of meeting
the requirement for VisaScreen Certificate set by the CGFNS; those who are
opting to voluntarily re-take the entire exam by surrendering their current
license; or those who previously failed the exam.

The government will be subsidizing the cost of the exam for
those ordered by the Court of Appeals to re-take and those who are re-taking
for the purpose of VisaScreen eligibility.

As per the CGFNS ruling on the June 2006 re-takers, they can
only re-take the test parts 3 and 5 once during either the June or December 2007
examinations. If they fail upon their
re-take and still want to obtain VisaScreen eligibility, they have an option to
re-take the entire exam on the following examination schedule by surrendering
their current license.

The re-takers of the controversial June 2006 exam will be
allowed to sit in the exam for test parts 3 and 5 on the second day.

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4. May 2007 by dmo.

Pursuant to the CGFNS decision of denying the VisaScreen Certification to the June 2006 Nursing Licensure Board Examination, President Arroyo signed the Executive Order No. 609 which will allow the affected nurses to re-take the test parts 3 and 5 of the examination.  The special examination will be conducted along with the regular board examination in June and December of this year.  The re-taker may only choose from either of the examination dates, and must pass the exam to qualify for the VisaScreen Certificate.  The government will subsidize the cost of the examination and designate free review classes to the nurses who will take the special examination.  The same procedure will be followed in registering for the exam as before. Re-taking the examination will not affect the status of the nurses in the Philippines and their license will remain valid irregardless of the exam result.  The government also orders that the results of the examination shall be forwarded directly to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and not to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).  The DOLE secretary and the Board of Nursing Chair are the authorized personnels to undertake the public release of the names of those who passed the examination, notify the examinees individually of the result of their exam, and furnish the official results of the examination to the CGFNS.  All these will be closely monitored to satisfy the requirement of the CGFNS, and to address the problem of our fellow nurses with their ineligibility to work in the US. 

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28. March 2007 by dmo.

Many of the June 2006 board exam passers are confused about the information they are getting from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding the re-take and CGFNS VisaScreen Certification.  First of all, the CGFNS is a non-profit, internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation and verification pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and health care professionals worldwide.  They process credentials evaluation, provide CGFNS exam, and is responsible for the visa screening process.The CGFNS exam measures the potential of the foreign nurse to pass the NCLEX exam, and is required by the majority of the State Boards of Nursing in the US.  Passing the CGFNS and/or NCLEX exams do not qualify a foreign nurse to obtain an immigrant status without the VisaScreen Certificate issued by the CGFNS.  To be eligible for the VisaScreen Certificate, one must successfully meet the CGFNS credentials evaluation and pass the CGFNS exam.

In February, the CGFNS announced the ineligibility of the June 2006 board exam passers from the VisaScreen Certificate until they passed the test parts 3 and 5 of the exam.  Many of the 17,000 board passers are confused as to the qualifications for the VisaScreen Certificate.  The VisaScreen Certificate is a requirement of US immigration law to be eligible for an immigrant visa.  This requires a comparable standard of practice in the nursing profession.  One must have acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a licensure or registration as a first-entry level nurse to become eligible for the VisaScreen Certificate.

The June 2006 board passers are only required to re-take the test parts 3 and 5 of the exam as provided in Executive Order 609, which is a special voluntary examination to be given in June and December 2007.  They are only allowed to re-take the exam once either in June or December 2007.  The test parts 3 and 5 must be successfully passed with a score of at least 75 each.  There is no additional re-take if you fail the exam.  If you still want to become eligible for the VisaScreen Certificate, you can risk to surrender your license to be able to take another full exam and hope you pass it all this time.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has agreed with the CGFNS position to take the June 2006 board exam passers in the US if they passed the test parts 3 and 5, without having to re-take the full exam.

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11. March 2007 by dmo.

The Philippine Regulatory Commissions (PRC) is facing a problem that they, themselves, created.  It seems now that they must do what they should have done originally.  It’s a shame that US immigration law has to dictate to them before they are able to implement the right measures. 

Let us review briefly the chain of events. On June 11 and 12, 2006, 17,000 Filipino Nurses were spared from the leakage allegations and passed the exams.  The same week the exam was given, the leakage issue was publicized.  Despite the controversy, the PRC decided to release the exam results following the curative measure they implemented on the compromised parts of the exam.  Many were sworn to their profession even before the PRC has to announce whether there will be an oath-taking.  The Court of Appeals then ordered to hold the oath-taking until the investigation was finished.  After the Court of Appeals finished the investigation, with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), they came up with a resolution that only 1,200 of the board passers will retake the test parts 3 and 5.  These 1,200 examinees were believed to be affected by the curative measure based on the PRC’s judgment.

Obviously, the PRC did not make a very good judgment in their decisions.  Their decisions turned out to be questionable to the US immigration law, which led the CGFNS to deny VisaScreen Certificates to June 2006 board passers.  At the same time, the American Nurses Association now urges a full retake of the exam, but a different set, before they can be eligible to work in the US (see statements here and here).  They believe that the health standard and safety of the Americans will not be protected if they allow the board passers of a compromised exam to work in the US.   ANA is one of the strongest proponents of the pre-screening provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, as part of the association’s commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards, and ensuring a pre-screening process that works to protect the public safety. 

Should the PRC had ordered a retake of the exam for the June 2006 examinees, this issue would not have put Philippine nurses’ reputations into question.

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8. March 2007 by dmo.

The Philippine panel team failed in their appeal to the CGFNS on Monday, March 5th.  The CGFNS Board of Trustees President Dr. Lucille Joel, CEO Dr. Barbara Nichols and counsel to the CGFNS John Ratigan gave the panel team a chance to present their concerns on their decision to deny the VisaScreen Certificate to the June 2006 board passers.  However, after listening to their concerns and reviewing them, the CGFNS explained that their decision was based on the US immigration law and was not subject to re-negotiation or further review. In fact, they were aware of the concerns even before as they have conducted their own investigation of the issue and have gathered the same information they presented on the meeting.  Although, the CGFNS agreed to meet with the Philippine panel team, they were very firm from the start that their decision is final.

The CGFNS has been fair in presenting the facts to the public regarding this issue from the start.  They have everything published on their website to avoid misleading information from the media.  They are aware of how the issue has been exaggerated in the news, and sometimes giving the wrong information to the Filipino nurses and thus leading to confusion.  They are hoping that the Philippine panel team would relay the same information as what has been really tackled in the meeting, and that the media would do the same.  All the details of this final announcement of the CGFNS on this matter can be found on the CGFNS website .

This resolves the issue of the re-take.  If you are one of the June 2006 board passers who want to work in the US in the future, it is best that you prepare for the test parts 3 and 5 of the exam.  The Philippine government will subsidize the examination costs and a couple of top schools are going to provide free review classes.  Re-taking the exam does not mean you will lose your license if you fail.  It only means you have to pass those sections again to be eligible to receive a VisaScreen Certificate.  Have courage and take the exam.  Filipino Nurses 2 US supports the June 2006 board exam passers.  You can do it!

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »

4. March 2007 by dmo.

After the PRC provided all the documentation relating to the controversial June 2006 Nursing Licensure Exam to the CGFNS for reconsideration, the CGFNS has scheduled a sit down meeting with the panel team to personally present their appeal.  Despite the public announcement by the CGFNS that their decision is final, and that they do not have a higher body to accommodate an appeal,  the Philippine Regulatory Commissions continues to insist on explaining their side, hoping for a reconsideration. 

On Saturday, March 3rd, the panel team left the Philippines to appeal to the CGFNS in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The team is composed of Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentebella, Leonor Rosero, chairman of the
Professional Regulation Commission, Remigia Nathanielz, Fatima
University official and Renato Aquino, president of the nursing batch
of 2006.  The CGFNS Chief, Dr. Barbara Nichols, has scheduled the meeting for Monday, March 5th.

The PRC team is hopeful that the CGFNS can be convinced to reverse their decision after a personal meeting with them.  They are looking at Nichols acceptance of a personal presentation of their appeal as a positive sign.  This appeal was suggested to the PRC by US Embassy Consul General Richard Haynes as their best approach.

It is unlikely that the CGFNS will reconsider their "final decision" so we can only wait and see if the PRC will finally accept the reality of that.

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »

27. February 2007 by dmo.

Over the last two weeks, VisaScreen Certificates for Filipino nurses who took the June 2006 board exam has been a hot topic.  17,000 Filipino nurses are affected by the decision of the CGFNS to force a partial retake of the test.  The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment agreed to a voluntary or optional retake of the test parts 3 and 5 of the controversial exam if the board passers wish to work in the US under an occupational visa.  The retake will be subsidized by the Philippine government, and will not mean cancellation of the issued licenses.  The retake is only a requirement of the CGFNS for VisaScreen Certificate eligibility.  They are saying that the June 2006 board passers will only be eligible to receive a VisaScreen Certificate if they retake the test parts 3 and 5 and pass them again.

The CGFNS explained their reasons to the Philippine government as to how they come up with the decision.  The excerpt of the conversation between the CGFNS and the PRC was published on the CGFNS website, as well as their thorough explanation as to the basis of their decision.  The CGFNS wants all this information open to the public to avoid internal negotiation.  Their ruling has a valid basis and no one can break that rule.

The Philippine Regulatory Commission, with the support of the Philippine government, insists on an appeal.  They are supposed to travel to the CGFNS Head Office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Monday, but the trip was postponed until the CGFNS gives them the go signal to do so.  The CGFNS wants the PRC to submit documentations related to the curative measure they used on the controversial exam, before they can set an appointment.  The Philippine government is insistent on an appeal, however the CGFNS has stated already that their decision is final.

The Philippine president, Arroyo, supports the panel team who will appeal to the CGFNS for reconsideration.  She is hoping that the CGFNS will reconsider their decision after re-evaluation of the documentation and the personal appeal of the panel team.  She wants to wait for the result of the appeal before she finally orders a retake.  They have until March 4 to try to convince the CGFNS to change their decision.

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »

25. February 2007 by dmo.

The chairperson of the Philippine Regulatory Commission, Dr. Leonor Rosero, spoke with the CGFNS Head, Dr. Barbara Nichols, on the phone on Saturday.  Dr. Nichols confirmed that the panel’s decision on the retake was final.  In fact, the decision of the Board was unanimous.  She explained that they do not have a provision for an appeal or any sort of reconsideration once the decision has been made.  Although the CGFNS is a private, non-profit organization, they are covered by the US immigration law, which was the basis of their decision.  Upon investigating the case,  they have found that the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination in June 2006 was not comparable to the US Nursing Licensure.  However, they will still give an opportunity to those who are affected to be issued a VisaScreen Certificate.  If they retake the test parts 3 and 5 and pass the exam, then they will be eligible for the VisaScreen Certificate.

Despite this statement from the Head of the CGFNS, Dr. Rosero still insists on appealing to the CGFNS.  She will head a team of government officials and private sector representatives to personally appeal to the CGFNS in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Monday. Dr. Rosero said, “We will try to make an appeal; we’ll give them additional information in case they reconsider their decision.”

On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment has already drafted rules for the retake of the exam.  Labor Secretary, Arturo Brion, said, “The retake shall be on a voluntary basis and shall be offered once to
an examinee who may take it either in the June or December 2007 board
exams.”  He emphasized that the retake will be held in a manner that would avoid any question about the validity of the licenses the nurses have been issued pursuant to the June 2006 board exam.  “This will also serve as a measure to enhance our nurses’ employability,” he added.

The CGFNS has made their statement on this matter, and declared that the decision is final.  The June 2006 nursing board passers must accept that the only way to resolve this dilemma is to retake the exam.

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »

24. February 2007 by dmo.

Every three years, the NCSBN restructures the NCLEX test plan based on the practice analysis study they conduct with newly registered nurses.  They gather data on the current practice of the entry-level nurse to develop a new test plan, which serves as guide for the development of the examination and the preparation of the candidate as well.  Every aspiring candidate to become a registered nurse in the US should be familiar with the test plan to better prepare for the exam.  In our December article on NCLEX Test Plan ,  we discussed how you can familiarize yourself with the NCLEX test plan.

A new passing rate standard, which will be implemented on April 1, 2007, will be used in the NCLEX-RN test plan.  This test plan, which has been implemented in April 2006, was based on the results of the Report of Findings from the 2005 RN Practice Analysis: Linking the NCLEX-RN Examination to Practice, and the expert judgment of the NCSBN Examination Committee.  They use the framework of the Client Needs as the core of the examination as they believe it provides a universal structure for defining nursing actions and competencies, and focuses on clients in all settings.

The four major categories of the Client Needs and the subcategories are as follows:

Safe, Effective Care Environment:

• 13% to 19% - Management of Care
• 8% to 14% - Safety and Infection Control

Health Promotion and Maintenance

• 6% to 12% - Health Promotion and Maintenance

Psychosocial Integrity

• 6% to 12% - Psychosocial Integrity

Physiological Integrity

• 6% to 12% - Basic Care and Comfort
• 13%  to 19% - Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• 13% to 19% - Reduction of Risk Potential
• 11% to 17% - Physiological Adaptation

Even though the NCLEX will not be administered in the Philippines until late this year or early next year, this will help our other fellow nurses to prepare for the NCLEX examination, especially for the higher passing standard the NCSBN has set on the new exam.

To view the NCLEX 2007 Test Plan, click here .

Posted in CGFNS/NCLEX | No Comments »