NCSBN Officials Visit the Philippines

Officials of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) lead by its president, Donna Dorsey, visited the country last March 23, 2006 to assess the feasibility of establishing an NCLEX testing center in the Philippines.

The two-day visit included meetings with leaders of professional nursing groups and relevant government agencies as well as site inspections at prospective testing sites in Manila.

The Philippines via the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), and Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) has been lobbying with the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to include the Philippines as a venue for the international licensure examinations for nurses who wish to work in US hospitals and other health care facilities since March 2005.

Seven (7) new international NCLEX testing centers were announced by NCSBN last January 2006.

CGFNS Increases Fees for VisaScreen™ and Other Services

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) anounced through its website the increase in the fees collected for different services offered. The table below summarizes major services offered by CGFNS and the corresponding price increase.

Click on the image to enlarge thumbnail.

Click here to see full schedule of fees effective May 1, 2006.

It has also announced policy changes for length of time applications may remain open, time limit for receipt of payment, and refunds.

Effective May 1, 2006, applicants applying for the CGFNS Certification Program, Credentials Evaluation Service and VisaScreen™ will be given 12 months to meet the requirements of each program. Orders for these three services that have not resulted in the rostering of an applicant to take the Qualifying Exam for the Certification Program, that have not resulted in the issuing of a Credentials Evaluation Service report, or that have not resulted in the issuing of a VisaScreen within 12 months of the application date will be closed.

Once an order is closed, an applicant can re-apply and pay a second year re-application fee. Re-application orders will remain open for 12 months starting from the date the re-application order is placed. A re-application order cannot be placed until the previous order has been closed.

In addition, CGFNS now requires payment in full within 60 days of application date. Applications received without a payment will be deleted if full payment is not received within 60 days of application date. The applicant will have to fill out a new application and submit the appropriate full price to place a new order.

Finally, CGFNS has instituted a "no refund" policy for its Certification Program, Credentials Evaluation Service and VisaScreen™. Individual consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis if a refund is necessary due to a CGFNS error.

Working as a Registered Nurse in the United Kingdom (UK)

The following are the requirements that each foreign-educated candidate needs to meet in order to be eligible to work as a registered nurse in the United Kingdom (UK):

• IELTS (English Proficiency Exam)
• Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC Decision)
• Appropriate work permit (c/o Prospective employer)
• Appropriate visas for entry to the UK
• Standing offer of work in the UK (c/o Prospective employer)

A detailed information on the steps is provided here.

Free NCLEX Practice Tests

The key to adequate preparation for any examination such as the NCLEX is having a solid knowledge of fundamental concepts as well as critical thinking skills. Becoming test-wise is one way to fully utilize core concepts in taking examinations.

To develop one's test taking strategies, it is but imperative to take as many practice questions as possible.

Listed in this article are web links to free NCLEX practice tests.

• ExamCram Practice Test (250 questions with answers & rationales)
• 4Tests.com: Kaplan Test Prep (49 questions with answers & rationales)
• Testprepreview.com: NCLEX Practice Test (25 questions with answers)
• TestTrade.com NCLEX Sample Questions (20 questions with answers)
• NCLEX-Pass.com Sample Questions (14 questions with answers)
  

This list will be constantly updated so do check this page regularly. Press CTRL D on your keyboard to bookmark this page.

NurseCalc® 4-in-1 Online Nursing Calculator

NurseCalc® is a 4-in-1 handy online tool for Nurses and other Medical Professionals. Features include:

• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpreter for determination of Acid-Base Imbalances.
• IV Rate Calculator for determination of Intravenous Infusion Rate in mL/Hour.
• IV Drip Rate Calculator for determination of Intravenous Infusion Drip/Flow Rate in Drops/Minute.
• IV Infusion Time Calculator for determination of time needed to complete an Intravenous Infusion.

To launch/use NurseCalc®, click on the image at the sidebar.

Take NurseCalc® with you. Install the mobile version to your Windows Mobile Device.

Download Smartphone version.
Download Pocket PC version.

Thanks to Gerard-Peter Carreon, Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), for creating the mobile phone installer and for hosting the download. Check out GPcarreon's blog at www.gpcarreon.com.