The 7 DIY Steps on How to Apply for
NCLEX-RN in New York State
Photo from Flickr
- Hi fellow nurses! My name is Jeff. This is my road to become US-RN.
- I will share to you my experiences so we can fulfill our American Dreams together and I can be a part of your journey to success.
- I started my application from March 2017 and took my NCLEX-RN examination March 2018.
(This includes my 1 month study on a review center)
- It took me 12 months for the whole process
- Total expenses (approx): = (USD) $980
= (PHP) 51,012 ---In 2019 Rates
- This is the Do It Yourself process. Things you need to prepare:
a. Computer, Printer, Typewriting or Bond paper, Pen
b. Credit Card (I don't have mine, so I asked my mom and my close friend to pay it for me as I will pay them thru debit card or cash)
c. Passport
d. Strength, Patience and Hope
Step 1:
Decide which US state
- There are 50 states in the United States of America and 5 major territories. Each has its own Board of Nursing. Each Board of Nursing has specific regulations and requirements when it comes to nurse practice like RN, LVN/LPN or NP.
-So why New York?
* I chose New York state because of the location (I want cold climate and snow perhaps),
* At the same time my aunt who works as an RN in California suggested New York state because she has a close friend that can help me stay in her home,
* As of now they don't require SSN (Social Security Number) upon NCLEX application,
* And lastly there are no concurrency issues unlike some states.
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| Photo Credit from Kerririchardson.com |
Step 2:
Create CGFNS account and accomplish Credential Verification Service (CVS) forms
- I call it the "Checker"
- CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) is an immigration nonprofit organization that assesses and validates our academic credentials (college transcript of records) and professional credentials (PRC license of the Philippines).
- CGFNS needs to assess and validate our credentials since we graduated nursing outside the United States.
- CGFNS needs to assess and validate our credentials since we graduated nursing outside the United States.
- It is the longest part of the process, that's why you need to apply for this first before the other steps. It usually takes up to 1 year, but 8 months for me.
- CGFNS-CVS is specified only for New York state. Don't be confused with CGFNS-CES, which is for the other states.
- Go online, create an account, and pay $390. http://www.cgfns.org/services/authentication-and-verification/credential-verification-service-for-new-york-state/
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| After you open the link, click Apply on the upper part of the screen then create an account afterwards |
- After creating an account, answer the series of questions and information that you need to fill-up online which will reflect to the 3 forms right after. Double check the data you provided before printing out the forms.
- The 3 forms are:
Authorization for Verification of Academic Records/Transcripts,
(this is the form that you allow CGFNS to validate your T.O.R from your school),
Authorization for Validation of Licensure/Registration
(this is the form that you allow CGFNS to validate your RN license from the authority, like PRC from Philippines)
Signed Notarized Application
(this is the form that shows most of your data, make sure you signed it with the same date as you notarized it. I got mine returned by CGFNS because the date I signed it and the date I notarized this form are not the same. Learn from my mistake to avoid any delays)
- Notarization cost me Php 450 or $8 less.
(but I made 2nd attempt, so I spend double for that amount.)
- When all is set, mail the 3 forms to P.O Box 8628, Philadelphia PA 19101-8628 USA
(send it through local post office as large courier companies like FedEx, DHL or UPS doesn't allow shipment to P.O Box. addresses) Cost me for about Php1000 or $20 less.
- Then to know what is the status of your credentials and forms, just login to your CGFNS account form time to time. I usually type CGFNS connect on the web browser, it will direct you to the login page.
- On your account, under the Order requirements, then on the "Issued report" section, you should see the status mailed. Meaning, your credentials was sent to NYSED already. (Yehey!)
- But it takes a very long time. Depends on how your School and the License Authority (PRC from the Philippines) responds to send your credentials to CGFNS. This is the waiting game of the whole process.
- But, while waiting for that mailed status, you can proceed to step 3 now.
Step 3:
Start an application to NYSED
- I call it, the "Reviewer"
- NYSED (New York State Education Department) is the responsible for the administration of state tests and regents examination.
- They will receive the report of your credentials from CGFNS.
- Go online, start an application for Registered Nurse
(this link directs you to Online Form 1 - Application for Licensure)
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| There's a lot of questions and information that you need to fill-up on this application |
- Others say, they filled-up and print out Online Form 1, then they mailed it to NYSED with their diploma. For me, as a foreign graduate nurse from the Philippines, we applied just online. No need to send the forms thru mail.
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| E-mail notification that I applied to NYSED online |
- At the end of online application, you need to pay $143 via Credit Card.
- Once your'e done with the NYSED application, you should proceed to Step 4 to save time, while waiting for the "NYS NCLEX approval" E-mail (sometimes they call it Eligibility Letter)
- And if your credentials are reviewed and approved by NYSED, they will send you an
E-mail ("NYS NCLEX approval" or Eligibility Letter) that your education has been approved. This is the another waiting game. I got mine for a month.
Step 4:
Take the two New York Mandated Courses
- While waiting for the approval letter from NYSED, you can start your training for these courses.
- The two short courses that you have to complete and submit to NYSED are:
Child Abuse Training and Infection Control Training
- You don't need to travel in New York, USA to take these courses. There are online courses and some will directly send the report to NYSED that you completed the training.
- You can go to http://www.elearnonline.net/statemandate.aspx?x=44 or
- Each courses will cost you for about $20-$40, that you can to pay thru Credit Card
- For me, I skipped to take this courses. Remember on Step 3, as I completed my online application on NYSED, there's a question and an option that you can just submit the mandated courses' report/certificate to them later.
Step 5:
Register to Pearson Vue
- I call it, the "Test manager"
- Pearson Vue delivers the exams. We are taking the exam to become RN of USA, which falls to the test we call NCLEX-RN.
- Once you received your Eligibility Letter from New York, you can start creating an account on Pearson Vue.
- Go online and register http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/
- At the end of registration process, you need to pay $200.
- After registration, you need to wait for the Authorization To Test (ATT) letter. You will receive your ATT from Pearson Vue via E-mail.
(I got my ATT 1 day after registration from Pearson Vue)
Step 6:
Schedule your Exam on Pearson Vue
-Once you got your ATT, go online again on your Pearson Vue account and schedule your NCLEX-RN Examination.
- You should schedule your exam within the validity dates written on the ATT.
- At the end of your booking process for you exam date, additional payment of $160 for test takers outside the USA. I paid it thru Credit Card.
Step 7:
Take the NCLEX-RN Examination
- This is it! After the long wait, we reached the main event of becoming US-RN.
- If you're an international test taker, you need to provide your Passport on your test/exam day. Make sure you have your signature on your passport, and the information on your passport same as you entered on Pearson Vue registration. If local in the states, you can use your driver's license or green card.
- There are more instructions and admission policies on the ATT.
- For your exam results, you can view it from your Pearson Vue account and purchase Quick results if you don't want to wait for a month knowing you failed or passed.
- I made a new page about on how to review and prepare for NCLEX-RN. Just click the next label on top of the page.
- Good Luck and God Bless fellow nurses!
