NCLEX Statistics Show Philippines Still America's No. 1 Source for Foreign Educated Nurses

The following document, obtained by Pinoy R.N., shows the most recent data on the NCLEX testing volume and the corresponding passing rates for the first three quarters of 2008.


NCLEX QUARTERLY EXAMINATION STATISTICS 2008

From January to September this year, 15,079 filipino nurses took the NCLEX exam cementing the country's status as America's number one source for internationally-educated nurses. India followed with 2,474 examinees. Closely trailing behind is South Korea with 1,306 examinees.

NCLEX is the licensure exam for nurses in the United States of America.

Related Articles:

• Step-by-step Guide in Applying for NCLEX
• NCLEX Results: The Agony of Waiting
• Tips in Preparing for NCLEX

Understanding the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) was started in January 1, 2000 with four participating states: Utah, Maryland, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Eight years after the first four member states adopted this interstate compact, a total of 22 states have enacted and implemented the NLC. By July of this year, Rhode Island will be the newest participating state pending its implementation of the NLC.

The NLC utilizes the mutual recognition model of nurse licensure. This allows the nurse to have one license (in his/her state of residency) and practice in other participating states, subject to each state's nursing practice laws and discipline. Simply put, the nurse is allowed to practice nursing across state lines.

Obtaining a license to practice nursing in any of the Nurse Licensure Compact participating states means that a nurse has greater mobility in terms of nursing practice as he or she can now practice nursing in any compact state without the need to obtain an additional license.

For example, if a nurse's state of licensure is New Mexico, he or she can practice nursing in the state of Utah or Wisconsin (both are party to the NLC) without the need to obtain licensure by endorsement to the states of Utah and Wisconsin.

This multistate licensure privilege is not available to nurses registered in non-NLC states such as Vermont as a nurse who is licensed to practice in Vermont is only allowed to practice in that state. If the said nurse wants to practice nursing in other states such Connecticut or California, he or she must seek licensure by endorsement to the states of Connecticut and/or California to be able to do so.

The Nurse Licensure Compact has received widespread support from many state nursing associations, several hospital associations, and the U.S. Department of Commerce as it provides for improved access to licensed nurses and quality nursing services in times of great need. The Nurse Licensure Compact also facilitates enhanced discipline and information-sharing among NLC member states. For a complete list of the Nurse Licensure Compact participating states, click here.

U.P. Graduate Student Receives Review Scholarship Package

University of the Philippines (U.P.) graduate student Maria Rowena Victorino was awarded the review scholarship package courtesy of Carl Balita Review Center.

The full scholarship package was awarded by Andrew T. Bilog, RN, of Filipino Nursing Post at Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Quezon City.

The scholarship, announced at Pinoy R.N. last month, includes a free review course for NCLEX-RN and IELTS.

A registered nurse since 1999, Victorino bested thirteen (13) other applicants who signified interest over the review scholarship package with the exception of Ryan Libatique who emerged as the top applicant for the scholarship but has decided to give way to other applicants due to unforeseen circumstances.

The applicants underwent a screening process which involved an online panel interview, online exam screening, and essay writing contest.

NY State Education Department Denies 'Freezing' NCLEX Applications of June 2006 Nurses

Ms. Barbara Zittel, RN, Ph.D., executive secretary of the New York State Boards for Nursing and Respiratory Therapy told Pinoy R.N. that they are carefully examining licensure (NCLEX) applications from Philippine Nurses involved in the compromised June 2006 Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination.

...

The statement was in response to a query by Pinoy R.N. on the status of licensure applications filed by June 2006 nurses who are still awaiting approval to sit for the NCLEX exam as there were speculations that applications of June 2006 nurses were indefinitely put on hold.

...

"This review is extremely time-consuming and therefore it may appear as though there is a 'freeze' in our review process," added Zittel.

...

Step-by-step Guide: NCLEX Application Process

Here's a quick HOW-TO guide in applying for RN licensure (NCLEX) in any U.S. state.

Step 1. Determine which state you intend to work in.

There are many considerations in choosing a state. One would be the prevailing wage rate in the area. This should be considered in relation to the state's tax rates, cost of living, etc. Another consideration is familiarity. Some people prefer to apply for licensure in states where they have friends and relatives already living there. A third consideration is whether or not the state participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC is a mutual recognition model of nurse licensure allowing a nurse to have one license but is permitted to practice his/her profession in other participating states.

Step 2. Visit the chosen state's website.

U.S. nursing state board websites are listed at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website at www.ncsbn.org. A complete list of U.S. state boards is also available for download here.

Step 3. Download instructions, application form, and fingerprint cards.

Each state has its own application process and requirements. This is listed at the website of the state. Read and follow the instructions carefully as incomplete or incorrectly filed applications are usually set aside or placed on hold.

Step 4. Submit application forms, payment, and all other requirement as soon as possible.

The length of time of processing an application varies from state to state. There are several reasons for this. One is the volume of applications received by the state. California, for example, may take 4-6 months to make an applicant eligible for the exam. New mexico and Vermont, on the other hand, approves applications in 2-4 months. The only factor that the applicant can control in the application process is the timely submission of the required documents. It is also important to make periodic follow-ups on the status of the application. Usually, a contact e-mail address is provided by the state for such purpose. Some states, Vermont for example, post the application status on their website.

Step 5. Once made eligible, register immediately at PeasonVue.

All NCLEX examinations are administered by PearsonVue Professional Centers. Every eligible applicant must register at PearsonVue to schedule an exam. Scheduling may be done through phone or via the internet. After scheduling the exam, an Authorization to Test (ATT) will be issued to the applicant. This document contains the applicant's name and exam schedule among other things. The ATT and one valid form of identification (Passport) is required for admission at the exam venue.

Related Article:

• Tips in Preparing for the NCLEX Exam
• Study Tool: Animated Human Atlas

NCSBN will begin NCLEX testing in Manila Starting August 23, 2007.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) announced that it will begin accepting registrations via Pearson Professional Center for the U.S. nursing licensure exams (NCLEX) beginning Friday, July 13, 2007. The exams, conducted daily, will begin on August 23, 2007.

The Philippine site for the NCLEX exam is at the 27th Floor, Trident Tower, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City.

...

Click here for directions in going to the testing site.

(Thanks to breech for posting the pearson test center address at the shoutbox)

Related Link:
NCSBN Press Release

U. S. Department of State Revises July 2007 Visa Bulletin; Retrogression is Back

RETROGRESSION UPDATE

The U.S. Department of State (DoS) today (July 2 in the US, July 3 in the Philippines) issued a revision on its previously released July 2007 Visa Bulletin effectively retrogressing all employment-based visa numbers.

Last month, the U.S. Department of State released its July 2007 Visa Bulletin reflecting all employment-based visa petitions becoming "current" beginning July 1, 2007.

However, the sudden backlog reduction efforts by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 employment-based visa numbers.

This means that the nurse visa retrogression is again in effect.

Related Links:

• Department of State Bulletin Update for July 2007
• USCIS Notice

Related News:

• Retrogression Lifted Temporarily (June 14, 2007)
  

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.

Proposed CIR Bill to Abolish 'Schedule A Category'

RETROGRESSION UPDATE

Good News: A few days ago, the US senate announced that they have reached a 'deal' on the polarized issue of Immigration Reform.

Bad News: The supposed deal eliminates the 'Schedule A Category'

Passage of a long-overdue immigration reform law by the US legislature would mean resolution of the retrogression affecting thousands of filipino nurses awaiting deployment to the United States. At present, visa issuance is on hold due to a backlog in visa numbers. This is called retrogression.

Nurses and Physical therapists are listed as 'shortage occupations' by the US Department of Labor in a category called, Schedule A. As such, an employer may file an immigrant visa petition (I-140) directly with the (USCIS) without first going to the US Department of Labor for a labor certification as required by state regulations.

The compromise reached last week by the US senate, however, removes this category and replaces it with a new "merit-based" point system.

...

Also, the proposed increase in the H-1 visa quota does not sufficiently meet real world demands. The bill allocates an additional 115,000 H-1 visas to the current cap with 20% annual buffers not exceeding 180,000. However, it can be recalled that 65,000 visa allocations were used up within just a day after the USCIS started accepting applications in April this year.

...

Click HERE to read the draft of the proposed CIR bill.

...

Related News:

Deal Is Reached in Senate on Immigration (NY Times)

...

Advocacy Link:

AILA Advocacy: Oppose Unworkable Measures in Senate CIR Proposal

...