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Global Relevance on a Personal Scale
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) is the internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation and verification pertaining to the education, registration and licensure of nurses and healthcare professionals worldwide. CGFNS will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2007. The organization has certified the credentials of more than 450,000 internationally educated nurses and other healthcare professionals since 1977.
VisaScreen®: Visa Credentials Credential Verification Service Assessment Program for New York State The Federally mandated, leading A service providing the verification of healthcare worker certification program for documents required of internationally immigration and obtaining an occupational educated registered nurses, licensed practical visa in the United States for internationally nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy born: audiologists, medical technicians, assistants, occupational therapists, and medical technologists, occupational occupational therapy assistants seeking therapists, physician assistants, physical licensure in New York State. therapists, practical nurses, registered nurses, and speech language pathologists. International Consultants of Delaware VisaScreen® is administered by the A service providing credentials International Commission on Healthcare evaluations for licensure, employment, Professions, a division of CGFNS. and education for physical therapists and various other professions. GLOBAL Certification Program RELEVANCE A program of credentials evaluation, Annual Report 2006 qualifying exam, and English proficiency for first-level general nurses (RNs), often a requirement for state licensure, predicts success for the NCLEX-RN® exam and satisfies the immigration exam requirement.
Credentials Evaluation Service A service that provides course- by-course comparisons of an applicant’s education to United States standards for licensure, further education, and employment.
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools President’s Letter Facing a Visionary Future
For 30 years, CGFNS has served as a diseases, and the whim of politics. At the valuable resource by reviewing and same time, the promise of more equitable validating the credentials of migrating compensation, career opportunity, personal healthcare professionals, primarily nurses, freedom, and the opportunity to improve who seek employment in the United the family’s well-being at home provide a States. We have vigorously fulfilled our magnetic pull. mandate from the federal and various state These factors have created noteworthy governments to uphold the educational realities. Eighty-five percent of Filipino Lucille A. Joel and professional standards they created nurses, for example, work abroad even to protect the well-being of patients though the shortage at home has reached EdD, RN, FAAN throughout our healthcare system. More crisis proportions. Ireland, once a major CGFNS President recently, CGFNS has begun evolving into source country, now recruits heavily a similar resource for other governments, for importation. The U.S., reputed for Professor, professional organizations, educational its voracious consumption, neither Rutgers University, institutions, and related bodies around the College of Nursing consumes nor imports the most nurses. world. Our experience, contacts, systems, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and and knowledge set us apart from any other the United Kingdom outstrip its nurse/ group professing to serve as an “expert” population ratio. As a result, active in this capacity. recruitment has become an expeditious Migration Realities solution to workforce shortages all The international healthcare worker around the globe as well as in the shortage is a recurring phenomenon. United States. Today, demand continues to outstrip CGFNS Responds need around the globe—in some regions In serving markets around the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa at an CGFNS has developed a strong sense of alarming pace. the values of various cultures and how Shortages exist for various reasons. those values affect healthcare standards, Healthcare systems in developed nations systems, and practice. We remain have an insatiable thirst for nurses and respectful of the need to stay cautious other healthcare workers to fill a broad about future global strategies and of the range of roles. Healthcare workers in some need to observe and listen before moving nations are pushed to migrate because forward. We know that each local and of inadequate compensation and poor regional entity creates controls and working conditions, lack of professional standards appropriate to its culture and and educational opportunities, absence realities. We consider CGFNS unique in of professional autonomy, gender-based having a staff and colleagues well-versed oppression, daily exposure to violence, in taking this kind of “internal” view of HIV/AIDS and other communicable the global market. We will continue to learn about and respond to each market, how it functions and what it needs. In addition to developing market-driven strategies and tactics, CGFNS will continue to invest in infrastructure and other improvements that maximize our ability to deliver services. However, efficiency will never trump our mandate to safeguard the public well-being. Protection against fraud requires judiciousness and care in securing the original-source proof necessary to validate credentials. We will always remain true to the time and depth necessary to ensure the integrity of our processes.
A Visionary Future CGFNS has earned worldwide recognition as the preeminent expert on developing systems and processes for reviewing and CGFNS 2004-2006 Strategic Plan Update validating educational and professional A number of initiatives supporting the four goals of credentials. The future holds great the 2004-2006 Strategic Plan are now in operation, potential, but where this will take us including the establishment of an official liaison remains visionary. relationship with United States Citizenship and Whatever course we take, the framework of Immigration Service (USCIS) Office of Adjudication on the vision remains clear. We will continue interpretation of regulation on select applicants and to fulfill our original mandate while a schedule of meetings regarding fraud; the launch evolving to broaden our reach into the of the International Centre on Nurse Migration in global marketplace. We will continue to partnership with the International Council of Nurses focus on developing deep understanding (ICN); the publication of Building Global Alliance III: of and responding to national and The Impact of Global Nurse Migration on Heath Service regional cultures and standards. We Delivery; the implementation of an organizational will continue to encourage migrating re-structure to increase effectiveness in programs healthcare professionals to develop and services; and the development of a test blue print cultural competency as well as professional draft that restructures the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, competency. We will continue to promote allowing the exam to be used as an international test the development of the highest standards of nursing knowledge and as a self-assessment tool. possible within the global context.
3 Chief Executive Officer’s Letter Moving into the Global Context
In 2006, CGFNS accelerated its our advice about how to evaluate English- transformation into a world-class player language competence in 2006, and we in the global healthcare area. For almost helped the World Health Organization three decades, we have gained experience, (WHO) develop its Region 5 nurse knowledge, and momentum toward this migration flow policy. goal while helping 450,000 individuals We have maintained fruitful dialogue from all around the world migrate to the with healthcare boards, nursing councils, United States. As we enter our 30th year, and other bodies throughout the world CGFNS has taken miles of strides toward about the scope and standard of practice. Barbara L. Nichols the horizon. DHL, MS, RN, FAAN To a working group of the Global Health Chief Executive Officer Our history of service has enabled us to Workforce Alliance, which was created in develop a practical understanding of the 2006 to address the worldwide shortage 2006 Inaugural Inductee many and complex issues facing migrating of nurses, doctors, midwives, and other to the National Black healthcare professionals, their home health workers, we stressed the need to Nurses Association countries, and the countries to which they create policies that eliminate excessive Institute of Excellence are drawn. Today, our work belongs to all dependency on international sources for 2007 Distinguished Scholar, of our stakeholders, everyone who uses healthcare workers. Howard University College our products and services, wherever they of Pharmacy, Nursing live and work – whether a nurse seeking a and Allied Health Sciences, career opportunity in another country, a Division of Nursing state board seeking a means of validating The future for CGFNS a physical therapist’s credentials, or an offers virtually educational institution in a developing nation seeking knowledge about unlimited promise. international healthcare practice standards. Our future belongs to each of them and to the myriad individuals they touch. Through our many products and services, National Sufficiency, International Opportunity we continue to balance our obligation Today, as never before, we offer relevance to serve the public welfare in the United through our strategy of supporting States with our responsibility to assist national sufficiency and international migrating professionals and others. We opportunity. We have become part of policy also have enhanced our ability to adapt development nationally and internationally. and fine-tune our product and service The departments of Homeland Security performance in ways that keep them and Health and Human Services sought relevant. In 2006, for example, as demand for the Credentials Evaluation Service Re-engineering of our customer service grew among state boards of nursing, we functions has dramatically stepped up reaffirmed our Certification Program as our responsiveness. a meaningful way for migrating nurses In addition, partnering with others has to evaluate their likelihood of passing the expanded our knowledge and our effect NCLEX-RN® exam. on issues of concern. We have joined with Organizational Efficiency, Exceptional Results Academy Health to research migration As our vision for the future clarifies, data and with the International Council we have begun transforming our of Nurses to create the International organizational structure and processes Centre on Nurse Migration. We want to in concrete ways to produce exceptional share and broaden the knowledge and results. Our significant reorganization expertise generated from our long history in 2006 created an internal structure of helping organizations and individuals that mirrors our vision. It has enabled us around the world deal with migration, to focus on, measure, and improve our standards and career development, and products and services in meaningful and cultural acclimation. immediate ways. The future for CGFNS offers virtually We combined all product and service lines unlimited promise. As we grow, we remain into a market-driven Global Assessment as committed to our mission as ever and Products and Services group that seeks to to keeping our work relevant for our global anticipate and respond to local, regional, sphere of stakeholders. and global market needs. We created a Quality Assurance and Staff Development function to ensure we continually improve our performance. We integrated other functions to maximize our efforts, such as moving the International Consultants of Delaware into our Philadelphia headquarters premises. These changes have enhanced value for our stakeholders. Our on-line portals now provide greater and more secure access and communication for applicants. A new advocacy function ensures stakeholders’ concerns are heard and resolved.
5 2006 Highlights CGFNS Programs January Strong Assets Integrated to Provide CGFNS begins emailing its monthly newsletter, Special Notices & Alerts. Stronger Service February CGFNS integrates all data entry and document imaging functions, CGFNS continued its evolution toward realizing immediate efficiency and cost improvements. an international entity doing global work in 2006. Our ongoing transformation March demands that we fulfill our mission while CGFNS relocates the International Consultants of Delaware (ICD) to its creating, implementing, and improving headquarters premises in Philadelphia. meaningful services for governments, April organizations, institutions, and individuals CGFNS expands professional and educational development for staff. around the world. To be truly relevant in the global context, May we must understand and operate within CGFNS opens its Online Store for the purchase of study aids and other materials, our stakeholders’ local and regional allowing for product orders to be placed online for faster delivery. realities. Our 30 years of experience in the international arena uniquely qualifies us to June do so, operating as a global company while The Governor of Illinois signed into law the restoration of the Certification providing relevance on a personal scale. Program as an alternative prerequisite for initial licensure of internationally educated nurses in the state of Illinois Beginning in late 2005 and throughout 2006, CGFNS undertook a significant July reorganization of its core programs, CGFNS begins offering pre-set appointments for applicants visiting creating the Global Assessment and its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania headquarters. Professional Services Department to strengthen management of our assessment August products and services: CGFNS holds Strategic Planning Retreat with international experts in healthcare to chart the organization’s course for the next three years. • TheVisaScreen ® Program (VS) • The Certification Program (CP) September The New Jersey Board of Nursing announces requirement of the Credentials • The Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Evaluation Service Full Education Course-by-Course Report for initial licensure for • The Credential Verification Service for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs). The New York State (CVS) Board also requires proof that the applicant has achieved a passing score on the • The International Consultants of English proficiency examinations. CGFNS responds with the development of an Delaware (ICD) English proficiency report to augment the Credentials Evaluation Service. This new structure, focused on team-based October management, will strengthen visibility, CGFNS begins sending all VisaScreen® and Certification Program (CP) Certificates capability, and capacity for credentialing to applicants using traceable mail. work and related services; improve accountability at all levels; enhance staff November development and professional growth; and CGFNS launches new website. The new design and content make it easier for web inspire leadership across the organization. visitors to browse and more convenient for web visitors to find information.
December CVS Connect, an online portal for the Credential Verification Service, goes live.
56,621 total applications received for all programs from October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006 GLOBAL REALITIES The average nurse-to-population ratio in high income countries is almost eight times greater than in low-income countries.
The Global Shortage of Registered Nurses: “An Overview of Issues and Actions” The International Council of Nurses
Certificates/Reports Issued by Program October 1, 2005–September 30, 2006*
17,466 VisaScreen® Certificates 38,718 Total Certificates/Reports Issued 9,252 Certification Program Certificates 7,274 Credential Verification Service 4,726 Credentials Evaluation Service
* Reporting year follows U.S. Government fiscal year because of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversight of the VisaScreen®
7 Anticipated Trends
Presently, the majority of foreign educated nurses in the United States come from rely on CES, significant growth should the Philippines. Nurses educated in India have become the second largest immigrant follow in the immediate future. group. This occurred as a result of CGFNS administering its Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam in several sites in India four times a year, beginning in 2002. Credential Verification Service The Credential Verification Service for CGFNS has seen an increased interest regarding its CP Qualifying Exam and requests New York State (CVS) continues to grow. for in country test sites from countries such as the Ukraine, Nigeria, Korea, Indonesia, This service enables internationally- China, Nepal and Mexico. Recruiters from the Ukraine are working with United States educated registered nurses, licensed hospitals in Georgia and South Carolina. They have set up exam preparation courses practical nurses, physical therapists, for nursing and English proficiency. The Certification Program is a prerequisite for physical therapy assistants, occupational licensure by a majority of U.S. state boards of nursing. therapists, and occupational therapy assistants to obtain independent Educational Exchange Programs with U.S. visa and continues to serve as a valuable verification of the authenticity of their Representatives from Ukrainian nursing tool for internationally educated nurses to educational and licensure/registration schools have sought consultation in predict their ability to pass the NCLEX- credentials. Once verified, the credentials are modifying their education to parallel RN® licensure exam. Our most recent forwarded to the New York State Education that of U.S. nurses. Similar activities validity study, covering 2004-2005, Department to be evaluated as part of the are occurring in China, Indonesia and demonstrated that applicants passing the applicant's licensure application. Mexico. Korean recruiters and nursing CP Qualifying Exam on their first attempt The new CVS online reporting service schools are pursuing educational exchange had a 90 percent chance of passing the for New York State, CVS Connect, is programs with U.S. nursing schools. NCLEX-RN® on their first attempt, while modeled after CES Connect™, the online Many are looking at English immersion those who did not take the CP exam passed electronic reporting service for state boards courses to ensure that the nurses can meet the NCLEX-RN® only 49 percent of the of nursing, which went live in 2005. New English proficiency requirements set by the time on their first attempt. Department of Homeland Security and the York State can now review Credential state boards of nursing. Credentials Evaluation Service Verification Service reports for applicants State boards now see CES as a means through the internet instead of waiting for Remittances Go Back to Home Countries of securing more detailed educational the printed reports to be delivered through These activities are being pursued because information about internationally educated the mail. of economics. It is well documented that healthcare workers. This preference led to International Consultants of Delaware nurses who migrate to the U.S. and work, significant growth for the program in 2006. send millions of dollars in remittances home The number of applications received nearly Building on the International Consultants to their families to provide homes, clothing, doubled from the number received in 2005 of Delaware’s (ICD) core focus on food, healthcare and education. Such and the number of reports issued was up credentials evaluation for physical therapy, remittances improve quality of life and the 30 percent from 2005. CGFNS worked diligently throughout 2006 standard of living. In a number of countries to forge new relationships with state boards The CES report includes an evaluation such as Nigeria and South Africa, nurse of physical therapy. ICD participated in of secondary school/high school and, for unemployment ranks in the thousands. the annual conference of the Federation of some state boards of nursing, proof that Migration to the U.S. provides employment State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) the applicant has achieved a passing score for these unemployed professionals. and distributed program materials to the on the English proficiency examinations. chief administrators of state boards of CGFNS anticipates that within five years In response to inquiries and regulatory physical therapists. In 2006, the Virginia the number of nurses migrating to the U.S. mandates from the state boards of nursing, and Washington boards of physical therapy to work from China, Nigeria and Mexico CGFNS has incorporated English scores added ICD to their lists of approved will increase exponentially. Nurses from into the CES reports going to the states agencies for performing credentialing work Eastern Europe are being solicited by U.S. requiring the reporting of these scores. for internationally educated applicants. hospitals in the Midwest. In addition, CGFNS has developed stand-alone English proficiency report Certification Program Qualifying Exam to augment the Credentials Evaluation The CP Qualifying Examination meets Service. As other state boards begin to federal requirements for an occupational GLOBAL REALITIES Remittance income from nurses is a major source of hard currency for developing countries and has motivated the Philippines to train nurses for export and other countries to try to follow their example.
“Trends in International Nurse Migration,” Aiken, Buchan, Sochalski, Nichols, and Powel Health Affairs, Volume 23, Number 3, 2004
CP Qualifying Exam Results (2004-2006)
65,267 Total Test Takers
24,440 Total Test Takers Passed
17,733 First-Time Test Takers Passed
The majority of nurses (88-92%) 6,707 Repeat Test who pass the CGFNS Qualifying Takers Passed Examination on the first attempt also pass the NCLEX-RN® U.S. licensure examination on the first attempt.
9 CGFNS Knowledge Promoting Understanding to Create Progress
In 2006, we continued to share knowledge derived from our research and to promote departments’ requests, on score setting understanding of healthcare practice and practitioners globally throughout 2006, either for a competence-based English language alone or by partnering with other key players. As co-sponsor of the International Centre examination from ETS. Our participation on Nurse Migration, for example, we worked with the Commonwealth Secretariat ensured that score-setting procedures and the Royal College of Nursing to hold a two-day conference in February, 2006, in reflect the English proficiency needed for London to explore ways to integrate international nurses into new workplaces. We various healthcare professions. presented information about the use of study guides during the National Organization In 2006, CGFNS worked to build and for Competence Assurance’s annual conference in Florida in November, 2006. communicate impressive data regarding internationally educated healthcare Migration Patterns of VisaScreen® the certification issues facing healthcare professionals. The CGFNS re-designed Certificate Holders professionals as they seek occupational visas. web site now includes a specific section The Department of Global Research and Through our liaison efforts with the Test Administration initiated a 2006 study International Bilingual Nurses Alliance on the migration patterns of its VisaScreen® and the American Board of Nurse Certificate holders. The survey focused Specialties, we provided educational on patterns of migration into the United sessions on immigration, licensure and U.S. States, including the countries healthcare healthcare systems and issues. professionals tend to migrate through on their way to the United States, their final Monitoring Immigration Reform destination, their educational and licensure CGFNS monitored the debates on preparation, and how they experienced the immigration at the federal legislative and recruitment process. The study sought to regulatory arenas to ensure that the policies define a broad understanding of migrating that address the protection of the public’s healthcare professionals: who they are, why health and safety are maintained and under Tools & Information that provides they have left their home countries, why are not diluted in misguided efforts to up-to-date statistics from CGFNS they chose the United States, the clinical cure the nation’s immigration dilemma. Programs and identifies the research settings they work in, how they interact initiatives of the Global Research and Joint Research Study of Clinical Preparedness with those at home once they migrate, Test Administration Department. whether they return home and when, of Internationally Educated Nurses how their education affects their choices, CGF NS and Excelsior College jointly Standards Setting and other characteristics. Data analysis published an article titled, “Internationally CGFNS has nine Professional Standards is currently underway and the results are Educated Nurses’ Perception of their Committees that review the professional expected to be published early in 2007. Clinical competence” in the November/ education standards annually to ensure that December 2006 issue of the Journal the evaluation standards that determine Collaborative Relationships of Continuing Education in Nursing. comparability of education are current Throughout the year, we enhanced The article described the results of a and relevant to the practice of each of the our collaborative relationships with joint research study assessing the self represented professions in the U.S. The immigration advocates and ethnic nursing perceptions of clinical preparedness of Committee members are representatives organizations. We conducted several internationally educated nurses. of each profession in education, clinical educational teleconferences with ILW.com, Overall, we continue to work to ensure practice and regulatory oversight. These an immigration portal for immigrants, that our research and data are included in members serve in a consultative role for employers, and lawyers. CGFNS’ national and international forums, virtual addressing applicant cases that are unusual. Department of Governmental Affairs and and otherwise, that address the healthcare Professional Standards also participated in workforce. This includes consulting with liaison teleconferences with the American the U.S. Department of Health and Human Immigration Lawyers Association Services and the Department of Homeland (AILA), providing information about Security in 2006 to provide input, at the GLOBAL REALITIES By 2010, demand for nurses in the U.S. will begin to exceed supply at an accelerated rate so that by 2015 the shortage will have almost quadrupled to 20 percent.
The Health Resources and Service Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis
VisaScreen® Analysis (1998-2005) Primary Countries of Education Philippines, India, The United States, Canada, Korea 84,464 Total Applicants
States of Intended Practice 64,491 Certifications Issued California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas CGFNS VisaScreen® Certification By Profession (1998-2005)
Profession Applicants Certifications
GLOBAL REALITIES Fifty-seven countries, 36 of which are in sub-Saharan Africa, have severe shortages of health workers.
The World Health Organization
12 CGFNS Service New Approaches to Ensure Relevance
In 2006, through its significant reorganization, CGFNS energized its commitment to 2006, the Call Center significantly create new service strategies and improve on those services currently being offered. increased the use of the IVR system, Whether a state board of nursing in the United States, an educational institution in and the number of calls handled by each Europe, or a nurse applicant in India, each stakeholder has unique, valid needs and service representative. We continue to deserves unique meaningful service. strengthen performance measurement for the Call Center, including report One-Stop Shopping for Department was restructured to serve measures, data and trend analysis, and Healthcare Professionals three major functions. First, it serves as benchmarking. CGFNS’ vision is to be the one-stop an advocate for stakeholders, addressing In 2006, CGFNS also transformed the shopping for healthcare professionals who their issues by facilitating resolutions on Correspondence Unit into the Customer migrate anywhere throughout the world. their behalf. Second, AQA performs risk Service Center. The Center provides a Based on its 30 years of experience, CGFNS management functions by proactively broad range of customer-service functions. is uniquely qualified to be a trustworthy identifying system, procedural and The Center is committed to providing a resource to those seeking opportunities personnel issues and recommends and friendly, accessible, and efficient customer- outside of their home countries. CGFNS facilitates process improvements. Third, service contact for our stakeholders. created a new department called Business AQA creates and coordinates training and Development, Planning and Marketing. staff development within the organization. Continuous Improvement This department focuses on applicants for Document Processing and other stakeholders to drive business The CGFNS Information Technology strategies and approaches that serve Whether a state board (IT) Department undertook a number stakeholders’ broad needs. Such strategies of significant initiatives in 2006. Chief include, for example, moving beyond the of nursing in the United among these was the integration of application process to develop services that document processing. This action resulted support applicants and their families as States, an educational in significantly improved document they migrate. The re-engineered CGFNS institution in Europe, processing time. Other IT systems web site reflects this new perspective. A improvements during the year included: Marketing Advisory Committee also has or a nurse applicant in • Complete overhaul of production been established that utilizes the volunteer servers for better performance and expertise of business and marketing India, each stakeholder cost-effectiveness professionals from highly respected • Integration of a case management system corporations and academic institutions. has unique, valid needs Because our stakeholders’ origins and and deserves unique • Systems improvements to improve destinations are varied, CGFNS wants to program performance offer programs and services that create meaningful service. competitive advantages for our applicants that enable them to succeed in their goals. Continuous Improvement Advocacy and Quality Assurance for Customer Service Initiatives Now in Place The CGFNS Call Center enables applicants CGFNS enhanced its commitment to check the status of their applications 24 to better meeting the needs of its hours a day/ seven days a week through stakeholders. The Advocacy, Quality our Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Assurance and Staff Development (AQA) System or the CGFNS website. During
CGFNS receives over 175,000 primary source school transcripts and license verifications each year. 860 812 819 831 920 807 910 915 580 805 501 826 540 520 510 570 530 928 550 9
927 802 815 925
841 926
843 821
904 840
Internationally Educated Registered Nurses Served by CGFNS
October 1, 2005–September 30, 2006 by program
VisaScreen® Certificates Issued to 15,837
Certification Program Certificates Issuedto 9,252
Credential Verification Service Reports Issued for 6,940 36,644 Credentials Evaluation Service Reports Issued for 4,615 Total Certificates/Reports Issued 929
Top Countries of Education for Applicants
Australia Pakistan 817 Canada People’s 801 813 Ethiopia Republic 816 of China 822 Gambia 918 919 Philippines 905 Ghana 852 Poland 850 827 Guyana 853 828 810 560 Russia Haiti 907 South Korea 823 India 851 Taiwan 911 Iran 836 Ukraine 837 Israel United Kingdom Jamaica United States Kenya Uzbekistan 912 Nigeria
909 908
902
Global Impact at a Glance The CGFNS Certification Program (CP) Qualifying Exam is offered four times a year in March, July, September* and November, at more than 50 locations around the world. The qualifying exam measures an applicant's knowledge and is based on what nurses must know and do when they practice nursing in the United States.
501...... Chicago, Illinois, USA 812...... Dublin, Ireland 837...... Colombo, Sri Lanka 909 ...... Sydney, Australia 510 ...... Houston, Texas, USA 813...... Tel Aviv, Israel 840 ...... Buenos Aires, Argentina 910...... Montreal, Canada 520 ...... Los Angeles, California, USA 815...... Kingston, Jamaica 841...... Natal, Brazil 911...... Cagayan de Oro City, 530...... Miami, Florida, USA 816...... Tokyo, Japan 843...... Lima, Peru Philippines 540 ...... New York, New York, USA 817...... Seoul, Korea 850...... Bangalore, India 912...... Jakarta, Indonesia 550...... Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 819...... Copenhagen, Denmark 851...... Cochin, India 918...... Cairo, Egypt 560...... Agana, Guam, USA 821...... Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 852...... Delhi, India 919...... Amman, Jordan 580 ...... Detroit, Michigan, USA 822...... Karachi, Pakistan 853...... Mumbai, India 915 ...... Toronto, Canada 570...... Atlanta, Georgia, USA 823...... Manila, Philippines 860 ...... Goteborg, Sweden 920...... Vancouver, Canada 801...... Beijing, China 826...... Geneva, Switzerland 902...... Wellington, New Zealand 925...... Abuja, Nigeria 802...... Bridgetown, Barbados 827...... Taipei, Taiwan 904 ...... Johannesburg, South Africa 926...... Accra, Ghana 805...... Paris, France 828...... Bangkok, Thailand 905...... Kuwait City, Kuwait 927...... Mexico City, Mexico 807...... Frankfurt, Germany 831...... London, United Kingdom 907...... Cebu City, Philippines 928...... Monterrey, Mexico 810...... Hong Kong, China 836...... Nairobi, Kenya 908 ...... Perth, Australia 929...... Moscow, Russian
* Select sites only. 15 CES Connect™ Celebrates One Year of Service to State Boards of Nursing
On March 15, 2005, the Commission on Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, tool of very good quality. According Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, to the feedback received, the overall (CGFNS) went “live” with the CES Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, opinion of the Boards of Nursing about Connect™, an online reporting service Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, CES Connect™ has been and continues available via CGFNS’ website, for use by Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New to be very positive. Ease of accessibility US and Territorial Boards of Nursing. Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, of the Reports, and an electronic format North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, over traditional mail are quoted as the access to the completed CGFNS Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode preeminent features of the system. Credential Evaluation Service (CES) Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Positive experiences with CES Connect™ Reports of their applicants. Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, have generated an interest on the part Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Summary of the Boards of Nursing to ask CGFNS Users of CES Connect™ now total 46 State Board of Nursing users, in response to to consider creating a similar system for a survey, found CES Connect™ to be easy to other services and products, such as, are as follows, with those underlined access and navigate. CGFNS’ CES Report requiring CES as a prerequisite to obtaining content was rated “very good” with no need VisaScreen® Program. initial licensure or licensure endorsement: to either add or delete information. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, CES Connect™ also demonstrated its California, Colorado, Connecticut, ability to be a reliable and convenient
GLOBAL REALITIES In 2003, more than 11,000 quali ed students were turned away from U.S. nursing schools because of capacity limitations.
“Trends in International Nurse Migration,” Health A airs, Volume 23, Number 3 2006 Board of Trustees
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Lucille A. Joel, Marcia Rachel, Robert Watkins, Charles E Gessert, EdD,RN,FAAN PhD, RN MA MD, MPH Professor Chief Nursing Officer Assistant Director Senior Research Rutgers University University Hospitals of Admissions Scientist, SMDC College of Nursing and Clinics University of Texas Health System Jackson, MS at Austin Duluth, MN
.;=>28
9*< -/ Members
. Bernard Ascher, MBA = Mary Lou Bond, 8 Mi Ja Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN < Nilda Peragallo, Director of Service Industry PhD, RN, FAAN Professor & Dean Emerita, DrPH, RN, FAAN Affairs for the Office of Samuel T. Hughes University of Illinois at Professor & Dean, the United States Trade Professor in Nursing, and Chicago College of Nursing School of Nursing & Health Representative (USTR) Director, Center for Hispanic Studies, University of Miami (Retired) Studies in Nursing & Health, 9 Norma Lang, PhD, RN, The University of Texas at FAAN, FRCN - Roy A. Swift, PhD ; John Bielec, PhD Arlington, School of Nursing Wisconsin Regent Program Director Vice President for Distinguished Professor Personnel Certification Information Resources > John Kaiser, MS University of Wisconsin Accreditation American & Technology/CIO President, Keystone Milwaukee, College National Standards Institute Drexel University Organization Consultants, Inc. of Nursing / Antonia Villarruel, PhD, 2 Eugene Ketchum, PhD * Beverly McElmurry, EdD, RN, FAAN Program Coordinator, RN, FAAN Professor, Director Commonwealth of Professor & Associate Dean, Center for Health Kentucky (Retired) University of Illinois at Promotion, School of Chicago, College of Nursing, Nursing, University of Chicago, IL Michigan 17 2006 Committees
AD HOC Task Force Jo D. Kostka, RN, MSN, MT Robert A. Watkins, MA Medical Technology Professional on CGFNS Institute Creighton University Medical Center University of Texas at Austin Standards Committee Eugene Ketchum, PhD (Chair) Susan Landon, MSN, RN Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Margaret Simpson, MS, MT, ASCP Retired Thomas Jefferson University (Ex-Officio) (Chair) Rutgers University Alamance Community College C. Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN Joan Melzer, MS, MN, RNC, ARNP-CNS CUNY Lehman College Newman University Harriet B. Rolen-Mark, MA, MT (ASCP) Information Technology SUNY Upstate Medical University Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Advisory Committee University of Miami (Ex-Officio) JoAnn P. Fenn, MS, MT (ASCP) Rutgers University Eugene Ketchum, PhD (Chair) Univ. of Utah School of Medicine Antonia Villarruell, PhD, RN, FAAN Retired University of Michigan Timothy S. Thompson, MA Executive Committee Janice Biros, EdD University of Pittsburgh Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Drexel University (Ex-Officio) Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Kathleen McEnerney, DA, Rutgers University (Chair & President) David W. Chapman, PhD MT(ASCP), NM Rutgers University University of Minnesota Tennessee State University Appeals Committee Marcia Rachel, PhD, RN John Kaiser, MS Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN (Vice President) Keystone Organization Consultants, Inc. Mi Ja Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN (Chair) (Ex-Officio) University Hospitals and Clinics University of Illinois at Chicago Donna C. Pope, MBA Rutgers University Robert A. Watkins, MA Methodist Healthcare, Memphis, TN Susan Caulk, MA, CRNA, RN (Secretary) Nominations Committee American Association of Nurse Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN University of Texas at Austin Anesthetists (Ex-Officio) Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN Charles E. Gessert, MD, MPH Rutgers University (Chair) Leticia Hermosa, JD, EdD, RN (Treasurer) University of Miami New England Baptist Hospital SMDC Health System, Duluth, MN Licensed Practical Nurse John Bielec, PhD M. Bridget Nettleton, PhD, RN Standards Committee Drexel University Excelsior College Finance Committee Gregory T. Howard, LPN (Chair) C. Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN Ernie Rosas, RN, BSN Charles E. Gessert, MD, MPH (Chair) Tuscaloosa, VA Medical Center CUNY Lehman College Reliable Healthcare Services, Inc. SMDC Health System, Duluth, MN Victor O. Frazer, Esq. Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN C. Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN Occupational Therapy Professional (Ex-Officio) Melba Lee-Hosey, BS, AA, AAS, LVN CUNY Lehman College Standards Committee Rutgers University Stepping Stones Ed. Prog. Norma Lang, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN Scott McPhee, DrPH, OT, FAOTA (Chair) Betty H. Hunt, LPN Wisconsin Regent Distinguished School of Occupational Therapy Bylaws Committee Randolph Hospital Inc., Asheboro, NC Professor, Belmont University, Nashville, TN Robert Watkins, MA (Chair) University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Eric A. Lampe, ABD, PhD Diane Harlowe, MS, OTR, FAOTA University of Texas at Austin Sue Ellen Pinkerton, PhD, RN, FAAN Annitta Love, MSN University of Wisconsin – Madison Bernard Ascher, MBA (Retired) H. Councill Trenholm State Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Joan C. Rogers, PhD, OT, R/L Technical College Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN (Ex-Officio) University of Pittsburgh (Ex-Officio) Rutgers University Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Paul T. Skiem, MBA Rutgers University (Ex-Officio) Rutgers University Timothy S. Thompson, MA Health Professions University of Pittsburgh Examination Committee Standards Committee Marketing Advisory Committee Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Mary Lou Bond, PhD, RN, FAAN (Chair) Roy A. Swift, PhD (Chair) (Ex-Officio) The University of Texas at Arlington American National Standards Institute John Bielec (Chair) Drexel University Rutgers University Christopher L. Coleman, PhD, MPH, Sharon Goldsmith, PhD, CCC-Speech APRN-BC Goldsmith International SP Mary Lou Burdick, CEO Physical Therapy Professional University of Pennsylvania Lou Burdick & Associates Laurita Hack, PhD Standards Committee Anita D. Daus, PhD, MSN, BSN Temple University Carolyn Choh Fleming Laurita Hack, PhD (Chair) Professor Emeritus Mott Saint Joseph’s University Gregory T. Howard, LPN Temple University Community College Tuscaloosa, VA Medical Center Timothy Knettler Sue Ellen Bowersock, PT Marlene S. Feldsher, MSN, RN Federation of State Medical Boards Richard D. Morrison, PhD South Carolina Department Sierra College AARP David J. Reibstein of Mental Health Karolyn Hanna, PhD, RN The Wharton School, Margaret Simpson, MS, MT, ASCP David D. Gale, PhD Santa Barbara City College University of Pennsylvania Alamance Community College Eastern Kentucky University Anunciacion Hoff, MSN, RN (Nancy) Heide I. Rowan Sherry Stolberg, MGPGP, PA-C Leonie (Lee) B. Nelson, DPT, MA Fresno City College DuPont Corporate Marketing Primary Care Associate Program, University of Vermont Carole Howe, PhD, RN, CNM Palo Alto, CA University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Senior Management Team
Robert Watkins, MA Phyllis B. Kritek, PhD, RN, FAAN Barbara L. Nichols, University of Texas at Austin (Consultant) DHL, MS, RN, FAAN Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Beverly J. McElmurry, EdD, RN, FAAN Chief Executive Officer (Ex-Officio) University of Illinois at Chicago Rutgers University Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN (Ex-Officio) Physician Assistant Professional Rutgers University Standards Committee Leo Clayboss , CPA Interim Chief Financial Officer Sherry Stolberg, MGPGP, PA-C (Chair) Speech Language Pathology Primary Care Associate Program, Standards Committee Palo Alto, CA Sharon Goldsmith, PhD, CCC-Speech Daisy Alford-Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN Geraldine A. Buck, MHS, PA-C (Chair) Drexel University Goldsmith International SP Chief Operating Officer January–June, 2006 Christine Greb Carolyn Wiles Higdon Philadelphia University University of Mississippi Dawn Morton-Rias, PD, RPA-C George O Purvis, PhD Catherine R. Davis, PhD, RN SUNY Downstate Medical Center VA Medical Center Director of Global Research Laura J. Stuetzer, MS, PA-C Peter J. Watson, PhD and Test Administration Case Western Reserve University Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN (Ex-Officio) Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Rutgers University (Ex-Officio) Julia Yuen-Heung To Dutka, EdD Rutgers University Director of Global Assessment Professional Nurse Credentials and Professional Services & Standards Committee Strategic Planning Committee Robert Watkins, MA (Chair) Marcia Rachel, PhD, RN (Chair) University of Texas at Austin University Hospitals and Clinics, Jackson, MS Yvonne K. Moody, RN, MSN Andrew C. Hamilton (Vice Chair) Carol Bradley, MSN, RN Director of Information Technology Tenet California Nettie Birnbach, EdD, RN, FAAN Pauline G. Johnson, JD Judith Edwin, EdD Attorney/International Consultant Savannah State University Donna Rae Richardson, JD, RN David Keepnews, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN Director of Governmental Affairs Dede (Edyth) Pahl, MBA Adelphi University School of Nursing and Professional Standards Consultant Daniel J. Pesut, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN Gabriel Juno Sapalaran, Jr, RN, CNIII Indiana University Duke University Hospital System Roy A. Swift, PhD Joyce E. Thompson, DrPH, CNM, American National Standards Institute Petula L. Wilson, PHR FAAN, FACNM, RN Director of Human Resources Western Michigan University Antonia Villaruel, PhD, RN, FAAN University of Michigan Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN (Ex-Officio) Lucille A. Joel, EdD, RN, FAAN Brittany Grimes Zaehringer, JD, MSSA Rutgers University (Ex-Officio) Rutgers University Director of Advocacy, Quality Assurance and Staff Development Research & Evaluation Committee Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN (Chair) Peter Zaehringer University of Miami Director of Business Development, Huey Jen Chen, PhD, ARNP Planning and Marketing Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA Chris R. Esperat, PhD, RN, APRN, BCN, MAN Texas Tech University Keville C. Frederickson, EdD, RN, FAAN CUNY Lehman College
19 Our Mission
CGFNS protects the public by assuring the integrity of health professional credentials in the context of global migration and by fostering the equitable treatment of healthcare professionals as they expand their horizons.
We do this by focusing on four key objectives: • We develop and administer a predictive testing and evaluation program for internationally- educated nurses; • We provide a credentials evaluation service for internationally-educated and/or internationally-born healthcare professionals; • We serve as a clearinghouse for information on international nursing education and licensure; and • We conduct and publish studies relevant to internationally- educated nurses.
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2651 U.S.A. • Phone: 215.222.8454 • Web: www.cgfns.org ©2/07