CGFNS International Announces Increase in CES Professional Report Fees

Effective January 1, 2013, CGFNS International will be implementing a 5% increase in CES Professional Report fees.  

Introduced by CGFNS International in 2011, the CES Professional Report is a customized report that provides a comprehensive credentials evaluation of foreign-educated nurses. The CES Professional Report meets specific requirements if individual state boards of nursing in the United States. 

GFNS International is an immigration-neutral nonprofit organization, globally recognized as an authority on credentials evaluation of the education, registration and licensure of nurses, health care and other professionals worldwide. 

Click here for more information on CGFNS International and its services .

CGFNS Exam Goes Online

CGFNS International recently announced that effective March 2011, examinations for its Certification Program will be internet-based.

“The CGFNS Qualifying Exam®, which has been given in paper-and-pencil format to over 500,000 foreign-educated nurses during the past 30 years, continues with the same testing rigor and remains a psychometrically sound and legally defensible examination. Moving to Internet-based testing expands our reach and strategic value to our global community,” said Dr. Barbara L. Nichols, CGFNS International CEO.

In related news, application fees for various CGFNS services will increase in 2011. The new fee schedule is listed here.

CGFNS International is an immigration-neutral nonprofit organization, globally recognized as an authority on credentials evaluation of the education, registration and licensure of nurses, health care and other professionals worldwide.

CGFNS is comprised of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, the International Commission on Healthcare Professions and the International Consultants of Delaware.

CGFNS Raises Fees for its Services

CGFNS International will be raising its fees for all services effective January 1, 2010.

Applications for the Certification Program, the Credentials Evaluation Service, the VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment program, the Credential Verification Service for New York State and ancillary services received on or after January 1, 2010, will be the charged according to the new fee schedule.

Click here to view the updated fee schedule.

Expedited Review Service for VisaScreen® Will Be Available Beginning July 2009

CGFNS International recently announced that beginning July 1, 2009, they will be offering an express service for VisaScreen® applicants who need immediate processing of their VisaScreen® Certification.

The Expedited Review Service for VisaScreen® is aimed at applicants who have pending I-140 petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) having the " Request for Evidence" notification and those nearing their deportation deadline.

To be eligible for the Expedited Review Service for VisaScreen®:

• Applicant must have met the criteria of Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform Immigrant Responsibility Act;
• All required documents must have been received by CGFNS; and
• Applicant must have supplied CGFNS with a copy of their Request for Evidence or deportation deadline accompanied by a completed CGFNS Expedited Review Service form.

All eligible applications will be processed within five (5) business days following an online credit card payment of $500. The VisaScreen® certificate will be sent via next business day delivery air mail.

Applicants who are ineligible for a VisaScreen® certificate based on the review of their documents will be notified. Fees for the Expedited Review Service are not refundable.

CGFNS International Announces $50 Increase for VisaScreen® Certificate

CGFNS International is set to increase the price for its VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Assessment program by $50. The current price for a VisaScreen® Certificate, which is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, is $448.

By January next year, the price for the VisaScreen® Certificate will be $498.

Internationally educated health care professionals such as Registered Nurses, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists seeking temporary or permanent occupational visas to the United States are required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to secure a VisaScreen® Certificate as mandated by section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

VisaScreen® is administered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS International.

CGFNS Announces Price Adjustments to its Credentials Evaluation Service (CES)

Effective October 1, 2008, the following changes will be made to the CGFNS International Credentials Evaluation Service (CES):

The Reissue of a CES Report Service, where an official copy of a previously issued CES report is sent to an official recipient, will now become a Re-Evaluation Report Service with the following pricing:

Re-Evaluation of a Full Education Course-by-Course Report $238.00

Re-Evaluation of a Healthcare Profession and Science Report $188.00

Applicants who need to upgrade from a Healthcare Profession and Science Report to a Full Education Course-By-Course Report must apply for a CES Full Education Course-By-Course Report.

The pricing for the CES Full Education Course-By-Course Report and Healthcare Profession and Science Report remains unchanged at $378 and $328, respectively.

CES Reports do not have an expiration date, but additional CES services may be required based on official recipient requirements, or the submission of additional applicant credentials.

Source: CGFNS International

English Language Proficiency Report Now Required for International Nurses Applying for Licensure by Examination (NCLEX) in the State of Colorado

The Colorado Board of Nursing recently made changes to their eligibility requirements for internationally-educated nurses applying for licensure (NCLEX) by examination.

The board now requires proof that the applicant has achieved a passing score on the English Proficiency examinations required by the Department of Homeland Security for certification of health care workers in section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

The English Language Proficiency Report, issued by CGFNS, is in addition to the existing CGFNS CES Healthcare Profession & Science Report required by Colorado.

The changes took effect July 1, 2008 and applies to all new applications received on the date the new rule took effect. Applicants who have already applied for CES for Colorado before July 1, 2008 are exempt from the English Language Proficiency Report requirement.

Acceptable english exams and minimum passing scores are the same as those required for the VisaScreen^®.

CGFNS Services: Which One Do I Need?

Nursing licensure and practice in the United States and its territories are governed and regulated at the State level. Hence, eligibility and licensure requirements vary from state to state. It is, thus, imperative for the intending applicant to have a solid knowledge and correct understanding of the state board's requirements.

Recognized as an international authority on credentials evaluation and verification, most of the fifty (50) American states rely on the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools^® (CGFNS) for credentials assessment in evaluating a foreign-educated applicant's eligibility to take the U.S. nursing licensure examination, more popularly known as the National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX).

CGFNS International offers several credentials assessment and evaluation services pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and healthcare professionals worldwide, such as:

• Certification Program (CP)
  
• Credential Evaluation Service (CES)
  
• Credential Verification Service for New York State (CVS)
  
• VisaScreen: Visa Credentials Assessment

One common point of misunderstanding in the completion of the application process is which service to get from the CGFNS. The confusion lies primarily on the need to take the CGFNS exam, a component of the CGFNS Certification Program, which in the past was mandatory in all U.S. states prior to being made eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam.

Recently, however, a great number of states have began to drop the CGFNS exam requirement, state boards have shifted to other forms of credentials assessment and evaluation. Some states, Vermont for example, now do their own credentials assessment and evaluation while other states, such as New Mexico, only require the CES, which is easier to complete than the CP since no exam is necessary.

Knowing and understanding these intricacies will save the applicant a significant amount of time and money as each of the services offered by CGFNS differ in terms of processing time, documentary requirements, and fees.

Specific state requirements are listed at the state board's website which is available at www.ncsbn.org. Click here to see Pinoy R.N.'s list of states that no longer require the CGFNS exam (CP).

Related Articles:
US Nursing Exams: CGFNS vs NCLEX
List of Non-CGFNS States

DoLE Advisory: Transmittal of Voluntary Exam Results to CGFNS

The Quisumbing-Torres Law Firm, which was retained by the United States Commission on graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), confirmed on November 9, 2007 that they already forwarded the consolidated electronic data containing the results of the June 2007 DOLE-initiated Voluntary Retake Examination as well as other data from the PRC, to the CGFNS last October 27. This was received by the CGFNS on 05 November 2007.

The DOLE earlier forwarded the results, in electronic and hard copy formats, to the Quisumbing-Torres Law Firm, on 30 August 2007, who then forwarded them, along with data from the PRC, to the CGFNS during the first week of September. Shortly upon receipt, the CGFNS returned the same to the law firm for consolidation of the data from DOLE and PRC.

...

The DOLE arlready complied with its mandate under Executive Order 609, viz: providing for a system of voluntary and free retake exam, free review classes and transmittal of results to CGFNS.

The status of applicants for VisaScreen certification may be followed up via the CGFNS Hotline (215) 3498767 extension 476.

...

Source: DoLE Website

Thanks to breech for the heads up.

Nurse Licensure Examination Results - June 2007

NURSE LICENSURE EXAMINATION RESULTS RELEASED IN FIFTY-SIX (56) WORKING DAYS

DOWNLOAD THE RESULTS HERE.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 31,275 out of 64,909 passed the Nurse (First Timers, Repeaters, Removals and Voluntary Retakers of all subjects) Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last June 2007. The results of examination with respect to two (2) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations. Two Hundred Forty-eight (248) out of the 336 Retakers as per C.A. Decision passed the examination.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) initiated Special Certification for CGFNS examination results will be announced later. The members of the Board of Nursing are Carmencita M. Abaquin, Chairman; Leonila A. Faire, Betty F. Merritt, Perla G. Po, Marco Antonio C. Sto.Tomas, Yolanda C. Arugay and Amelia B. Rosales.

Examinees who did not pass the examination may apply for the December 2007 Nurses Licensure Examination from September 17, 2007 to September 28, 2007.

The registration of successful examinees in alphabetical order is scheduled as
follows:

Oct. 17, 2007 A JOSE - ALLOSO
Oct. 18, 2007 ALMACEN - ARZOLA
Oct. 19, 2007 ASAARI - BASUEL
Oct. 22, 2007 BATA - BUGUINA
Oct. 23, 2007 BUHAT - CAPUZ
Oct. 24, 2007 CARA - COMPUESTO
Oct. 25, 2007 CONAG - DAZO
Oct. 26, 2007 DE AQUINO - DIMZON
Oct. 29, 2007 DIN - ESTURCO
Oct. 30, 2007 ETANG - GAMUYAO
Oct. 31, 2007 GAN - GUZON
Nov. 2, 2007 HABABAG - LABUTONG
Nov. 5, 2007 LACABA - LOQUIAS
Nov. 6, 2007 LOR - MANZON
Nov. 7, 2007 MAON - MALOS
Nov. 8, 2007 MOMBLAN - OLVIDO
Nov. 9, 2007 OMABTANG - PASUSTENTO
Nov. 12, 2007 PATACSIL - RADIN
Nov. 13, 2007 RAFA - ROMUTAP
Nov. 14, 2007 RONATO - SAQUING
Nov. 15, 2007 SARA - TABUZO
Nov. 16, 2007 TAC-AN - TUPPAL
Nov. 19, 2007 TURA - WADINGAN
Nov. 20, 2007 WAGA – ZUYCO

Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 1 piece 1” x 1” picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2007-2010.

...

Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will be held before the Board on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 8:00 o’clock in the morning for surnames starting with A – J; and 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon for surnames starting with K – Z, at the Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. All must come in their white gala uniform, nurses cap, white duty shoes, without earrings, hair not touching the collar and without corsage.

Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at the Ground Floor of PRC – Main Building, Sampaloc, Manila.

Nursing Board Flunkers May be Allowed to Work as Practical Nurses - Brion

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and Senator Edgardo Angara are looking at the possibility of allowing the flunkers of the Nurse Licensure Examination to work as Practical Nurses.

Practical nurses, also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses, are also in demand abroad.

Brion presented the idea to Senator Edgardo Angara, former chancellor of the University of the Philippines, as well as officials of the Commission on Higher Education and to the Professional Regulation Commission.

"They all agreed to its viability so we'll meet soon and discuss it," Brion added.

According to a report by the Inquirer, about 40,000 of the 78,797 examinees are expected to pass the June 2007 Nurse Licensure Examination according to estimates by the labor department. The projected 40,000 includes June 2006 examinees who were required to retake portions of the exam.

Brion said the results of the June 2007 nursing licensure exam will be released by middle of August.

(Thanks to breech for pointing out the Inquirer article)

BoN: 'Examination results will be out by August'

Marco Sto. Tomas, member of the Board of Nursing (BoN) tasked to prepare and oversee the administration of the Nurse Licensure Examination, today said that the results of the recently concluded nursing board exam will probably be out by August 15 - 31, 2007.

The labor department earlier said that they will be releasing the exam results three (3) weeks after the conduct of the exam last June 10 and 11.

Sto. Tomas explained that the delay is primarily due to the large number of examinees this year. He added that the PRC's optical machine readers can only process 10,000 test papers per day.

Individual exam scores are then matched to the examinees' names in the PRC database before the BoN determines the mean passing score based from the highest and lowest scores obtained.

78,797 nursing graduates took the June 2007 nurse licensure examination in various cities across the country.

IELTS to Implement Changes in Test Band Score Reporting

After consultation with test takers, teachers, Recognising Organisations and other stakeholders, the International English Language System (IELTS) will be implementing a revised band scoring system.

...

Under the new system, band scores in the tests will be scored in full and in half-bands. The old IELTS scoring system used full bands for the tests except in listening and reading, which is scored in both full and half-bands.

...

This means that in the old system, an examinee may score 7 or 8 in the writing and speaking tests. Under the new system, scores will increment or decrement by half band so the examinee in the same tests may score 7.5 or 8.5.

...

The changes, taking effect July 1st this year, will only affect the reporting of the band scores and will not, in any way, affect how the tests are rated.

...

IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) through more than 350 locations in 120 countries worldwide. Close to 5,000 organisations around the world recognise the test for education, immigration and professional accreditation purposes.

...

Retrogression Lifted Temporarily; Senators Looking to Revive Stalled CIR Bill

RETROGRESSION UPDATE

The US Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for July 2007. The bulletin includes a summary of available immigrant visa numbers. Effective July 1, 2007, all employment-based immigrant petitions will become "current."

This means that the backlog in the issuance of immigrant visas to qualified nurses is over albeit temporarily.

The Hammond Law Group (HLG), a law firm specializing in immigration cases, explains the bulletin's implication to nurses.

What does this mean?

For applicants waiting for interviews at the consulate: The foreign national may proceed with the consulate interview after the National Visa Center or the consulate schedules an interview. It is expected that it will take the NVC some time to begin issuing appointment dates, as there are thousands of cases that have stacked up during the period of retrogression.

For applicants with labor certification approvals: the foreign national may proceed with concurrent filing of the I-140 and I-485 applications.

For applicants with approved I-140 petitions: The foreign national may proceed with the I-485 Adjustment of Status or consular interview, depending upon which option the foreign national is choosing.

For applicants in the U.S. on temporary status who are eligible to bypass labor certification (e.g. registered nurses, physical therapists, National Interest Waivers, Exceptional Ability Aliens, etc.): The foreign national may proceed with concurrent filing of the I-140 and I-485 application.

However, the relief is only temporary and may only last until October this year as the category is always over-subscribed as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is only allowed by law to approve approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visa petitions annually. Moreover, dependents are also counted against the yearly quota.

Meanwhile, Key Republican and Democratic senators are reaching for a deal to resurrect their stalled immigration compromise by requiring that some $4 billion be spent on border security and workplace enforcement.

U.S. President George W. Bush met with key Republican leaders in Capitol Hill this week to rally support for his pet bill.

Passage of a comprehensive immigration reform bill is largely viewed in the healthcare industry as a long-term solution to the recurrent problem of nurse visa retrogression.

June 2007 Nurse Licensure Examination Results Due in Three Weeks

The labor department said Saturday that they plan to release the results of the June 2007 two-day Nurse Licensure Examiantion three weeks from today.

...

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion added that four lawyers, representing the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), will be observing the partial retake of tests III and V by approximately 11,000 examinees of the compromised June 2006 Nurse Licensure Examination.

...

The CGFNS, in February, announced that June 2006 Nurses will only be issued VisaScreen Certificates after a successful retake of tests III and V.

...

The CGFNS/ICHP VisaScreen Certificate is a US immigration requirement for healthcare professionals educated outside the United States.

...

Meanwhile, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chair Leonor Rosero assured that security measures are in place to avoid a repeat of the incident. “All security measures, all precautions have been emphasized to the new BON and PRC employees. Huwag nila pabayaan para hindi magkaroon ng problema uli (We stress to them they should not let their guard down so there will be no problem)," Rosero said in an interview on dzRB radio, a government-run station.

...

78,797 nursing graduates registered for this year's Nurse Licensure Examination held in various cities across the country.

...

10,000 June 2006 Nurses Enlist for Nursing Board Retake

The labor department, tasked to oversee the retake of the compromised June 2006 nurse licensure examination, said that approximately 10,000 nurses signed up for the board exam retake this June.

...

A little over 17,000 passed the leaked nurse licensure examination last June 2006.

...

It added that 9,450 of those who registered for the retake also signed up for the free review classes facilitated by the country's top nursing schools.

...

A web portal, www.specialnursingreview.dole.gov.ph, was created to facilitate online registrations for the government-funded special review classes.

...

CGFNS Addresses June 2006 Nurses' VisaScreen Concerns

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) published a "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) guide on its website to address the growing confusion among June 2006 nurses on the issue of retake as required by the CGFNS and the position of the American Nurses Association.

...........

Listed below are the common questions of June 2006 nurses along with CGFNS' official response:

...

Does passage of the NCLEX or the CGFNS Exam make someone who passed only the June 2006 Exam eligible for a VisaScreen certificate?

No. In order to become eligible for a VisaScreen Certificate, CGFNS has required that a June 2006 passer must first re-take and pass, with a score of 75 percent or better, the “special voluntary examination” covering the subject matter of Tests 3 and 5. Passage of the NCLEX or the CGFNS Examination by any passer of the compromised June 2006 PRC examination will not substitute for the requirement that he or she take the “special voluntary examination” authorized by Executive Order 609 issued by the Philippine Government on March 12, 2007.

Does the CGFNS decision have an effect on the validity of the Philippine nursing licensure?

No. CGFNS recognizes the validity of the Philippine nursing license obtained by the June 2006 passers. The CGFNS decision to deny issuing a VisaScreen Certificate to the June 2006 passers of the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination relates only to their status under U.S. immigration law.

...

When must I re-take Tests 3 and 5 to be eligible for a VisaScreen Certificate?

June, 2006 Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination test passers must re-take Tests 3 and 5 as provided in Executive Order 609 stating that a “special voluntary examination” for this purpose will be given both in June and December, 2007. A June 2006 passer may take this special voluntary examination in either one of those months, at the examinee’s choice. Executive Order 609 does not authorize re-takes of Tests 3 and 5 after December 2007.

What score do I have to get in order to be eligible for VisaScreen Certificate?

You must obtain a passing score of 75 percent or better on each Test. An average score of 75 -- in which one score is above 75 and one below 75 -- will not be sufficient to qualify for VisaScreen certification.

.........

The American Nurses Association (ANA) has recommended that the June 2006 passers should re-take the entire licensure examination, even though CGFNS requires a re-take of only Tests 3 and 5. Which path should I follow?

To gain eligibility for VisaScreen certification, which is a pre-requisite to obtaining a U.S. occupational visa, you should meet the standard set by CGFNS, i.e., retaking Tests 3 and 5 before the end of 2007. ANA has clarified its position by stating that "ANA recognizes the CGFNS' position that successful retake of Tests #3 and #5 is an acceptable remedy to meet the needs of a VisaScreen Certificate.

If I take the re-take of Tests 3 and 5 in June 2007, and I fail to get a score of 75 in one or both tests, can I re-take one or both Tests in December 2007?

No. After you have re-taken Tests 3 and 5 once in a “special voluntary examination,” no further re-take is authorized by the Executive Order of the Philippine Government.

If I pass Tests 3 and 5 in 2007, what other things must I do to obtain a VisaScreen Certificate?

Detailed information about the requirements for a VisaScreen Certificate are available on the CGFNS website.

...

Source: CGFNS International

PRC Issues Guidelines for Nursing Board Retake

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has released the guidelines for the implementation of the nursing licensure examination retake for June 2006 nurses. It outlined three (3) types of possible retake scenarios with special requirements for each.
Copyright 2007. Pinoy RN

The first type of retakers are the 1,687 examinees ordered by the Court of Appeals to retake. They are required to submit their previous notice of admission document, Transcript of Records, and Birth Certificates. Filing and examination fees will be waived.

Copyright 2007. Pinoy RN

The second type of retakers are those who will opt to voluntarily retake all five (5) sets of exam. This will, however, involve surrender of license (waiver). They will also have to pay a Php900.00 examination fee. Documents needed for submission include previous notice of admission , Transcript of Records, and Birth Certificates.

Copyright 2007. Pinoy RN

The third type of retakers are those who will voluntarily retake tests 3 and 5 only for purposes of meeting VisaScreen requirements set forth by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). The guideline provides for a single retake opportunity either in June or December 2007 at the discretion of the examinee. Should the examinee fail to reach a passing grade of 75% in both tests, the examinee will have an option to retake the entire board exam on december 2007 with surrender of license and board rating (waiver). Documents required are Transcript of Records, Birth Certificates, Photocopies of PRC ID, and Certificate of Registration. Examinees may file from April 2 to May 11, 2007. Filing and examination fees will be waived.

Copyright 2007. Pinoy RN

Examinees abroad or those from far-flung provinces can have their applications filed by a representative. However, Notice of Admission must be claimed personally by the examinee one week before the examination.

Copyright 2007. Pinoy RN

Examination dates are set on June 10 (Sunday) and June 11 (Monday). Tests 3 and 5 are scheduled on the second day, June 11, 2007.

Copyright 2007. Pinoy RN

DoLE: Free Review For Retakers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Association of Deans of Philippine College of Nursing (ADCPN) on Saturday signed an agreement to give free special review classes for the June 2006 nurses who will opt to retake tests 3 and 5 of the compromised June 2006 Nurse Licensure Examintion to meet VisaScreen requirements set forth by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

Twenty-nine (29) nursing schools nationwide will be conducting review classes. Review fees will be subsidized by the government at Php 1,200 per reviewee.

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

Eight (8) schools will serve as regional coordinators for the nationwide review.

NCR -University of the Philippines & University of Santo Tomas

Baguio City - St. Louis University

Cagayan Valley - St. Paul University Philippines

Iloilo - St. Paul University & Siliman University

Cagayan De Oro City - Xavier University

Davao City - San Pedro College

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

The eighteen (18) other schools who will be hosting the review are:

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Saint Paul University-Manila, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, Trinity College-Quezon City, Remedios T. Romualdez Memorial School in Makati Medical Center, Mariano Marcos State University-Batac, Ilocos Norte, and Saint Mary’s University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN
De La Salle University-Dasmarinas Health Science Campus, Southern Luzon Polytechnic College, Sacred Heart College of Lucena City, Adventist University of the Philippines, West Visayas State University, Saint Paul University-Dumaguete, Cebu Doctors University, Cebu Normal University, Velez College, Remedios T. Romualdez Medical Foundation, and University of the Philippines-Palo, Leyte.

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

The review, which will be limited a maximum of 100 reviewees per class, will be held from April 16 to June 3.

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

Reviewers may register for the review classes online at http://specialnursingreview.dole.gov.ph beginning March 21. Registration deadline is April 4, 2007.

Copyright 2007 Pinoy RN

Labor Department Studying ANA's Recommendation

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said today that his department is studying the recommendation of the American Nurses Association (ANA) for a full retake of compromised June 2006 Nurse Licensure Examination.

Brion added, “We might ask for a representation with them and seek the help of the CGFNS with whom we’ve already had long discussions.”

Meanwhile, President Arroyo has signed the Executive Order for the optional partial retake of the board exams.

A meeting between Brion and the deans of top nursing schools is scheduled on March 17 to discuss review classes for those who will opt to retake.

The application period for the review is from March 19 to April 4, while the review classes will be from April 16 to June 3. The retake is tentatively scheduled on June 11 and 12, 2007.