Nursing
Basic study for the nursing profession in the United States takes place at the undergraduate level. The professional-level "registered nurse" (R.N.) has a bachelor's degree in nursing and must fulfill state licensure requirements to practice.
Entry into the practice of nursing in the United States and its territories is regulated by the licensing authorities within each jurisdiction. To ensure public protection, each jurisdiction requires a candidate for licensure to pass an examination that measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops two licensure examinations, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) that are used by state and territorial boards of nursing to assist in making licensure decisions.
Each U.S. state has its own criteria and regulations for licensure; however, every state uses the same licensing examination, the NCLEX-RN, which must be passed before a license is awarded. Most states also require nurses educated outside the United States to be certified by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) before taking the NCLEX-RN.
Certain graduate programs in nursing require state licensure or CGFNS certification, depending on level of patient contact and the laws of the state where the program is offered. Another option in many states is a special limited license for educational purposes. Check licensing requirements carefully with individual programs to see if you qualify for this option. CGFNS certification will also be required if you apply for either a temporary non-immigrant visa (H-1A) or a permanent visa.
To obtain a CGFNS certificate involves a credential review and an examination. You can be registered for the CGFNS Exam if CGFNS determines that you:
- are currently registered as a first-level general nurse in the country where you were educated;
- have completed an upper secondary school education, separate from nursing education;
- have graduated from a government-recognized general nursing program lasting at least two years;
- have received theory and clinical practice instruction in medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing.
