Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Health Professions

Board of Nursing

Regulations of the Board of Nursing [18 VAC 90 ‑ 20]

Action	Requirements for foreign-trained nurses
Stage	Proposed
Comment Period	Ended on 7/24/2009

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7/3/09 1:11 pm

Commenter: Leo-Felix M. Jurado, Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA)

Support for the removal of CGFNS Examination as a requisite of RN licensure in Virginia

I write in support of the proposal that the Board of Nursing of Virginia should abolish the requirement that foreign-educated nurses pass the CGFNS examination before receiving a license to practice nursing in Virginia.

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is an independent, non-government organization that issues certifications that verify an individual’s qualification to practice nursing. To receive a CGFNS certification, a nurse’s education, registration and license must be verified; the nurse must pass an examination; and must show proof of English language proficiency.

The CGFNS examination requirement is an unnecessary, time-consuming and costly burden on foreign-educated nurses wanting to work in Virginia. This requirement is simply bad for Virginia. Let me explain –

1. The CGFNS certification is a mere duplication of other requirements to practice nursing in Virginia. Its removal will not jeopardize the quality of nurses granted licenses, as the same qualifying examination and screening will be applied.

a. The NCLEX-RN exam already tests the nurse’s knowledge and skills necessary to practice nursing competently.

The Board of Nursing requires nurses to pass the national licensing examination for nurses - the NCLEX-RN exam. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., developed this exam and it is required for all nurses in order to practice in each state. Passing the NCLEX-RN exam means the nurse has the minimum safe performance of a Registered Nurse.

b. The VisaScreen certificate confirms the nurse’s education, registration and license and English language proficiency.

The immigration law requires foreign nurses to submit a VisaScreen certificate before they are granted visas to work in the U.S. in the healthcare industry. The VisaScreen certificate is issued after a complete evaluation of a nurse’s credentials to verify that he/she meets the minimum federal requirements. The VisaScreen program verifies and tests the same matter as that of the CGFNS certification, namely: (1) credentials review of the nurse’s entire education and all registration/licensure held and currently hold; (2) successful completion of the NCLEX-RN examination or the CGFNS Certification Program; and (3) successful completion of a group of approved English language proficiency examinations.

2. The purpose for the CGFNS certification no longer exists.

The CGFNS certification was originally established in the 1960s in order to control the marked increase in nurse migration from other countries. This original purpose no longer exists. In fact, the United States is experiencing a shortage in nursing. Federal projections indicate that by 2020, the U.S. nursing shortage will grow to more than 800,000 registered nurses. The CGFNS certification requirement has no meaningful purpose.

3. The CGFNS certification requirement drives nurses away from Virginia.

The CGFNS certification requirement aggravates the present nursing shortage in Virginia. As an unnecessary barrier, it only encourages foreign-trained nurses to seek employment in the states that do not require a CGFNS certification.

Not all states require a CGFNS certification or examination before allowing foreign-educated nurses from working within their jurisdiction. Obviously, foreign-trained nurses interested in practicing in the United States will be attracted by other states, which do not require additional certification, or examination that will take more time, money and effort to secure.

These states do not require CGFNS examinations: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.

In conclusion, I support the the elimination of a duplicitous requirement. This petition will not make unqualified nurses get jobs in Virginia or any other states who require it . Rather, it will attract qualified foreign-educated nurses into Virginia , address the nursing shortage, and improve the quality of nursing care in the state.

Sincerely,

Leo-Felix Jurado

PNAA President

CommentID: 9097