New CGFNS Official Study Guide Published
Posted Jun 13, 2003

Fully aware of the acute shortage of nurses in the U.S., MurthyDotCom and the MurthyBulletin strive to keep readers updated on the criteria for nurses to work and live permanently in the U.S. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) recently announced the publication of the fifth edition of its Official Study Guide for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam (May 2003). The guide features four practice tests with more than 1,000 test questions and answers, as well as a CD with three additional practice tests. The Official Study Guide contains an explanation of the design, administration, and scoring of the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, along with valuable test-taking advice and strategy. The Official Study Guide is available for sale through the CGFNS WebSite.

The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is offered to registered nurses wanting to work in the U.S. The exam is offered three times each year at designated test centers around the world. A special, fourth administration of the exam has been scheduled for this year, as reported in our April 18, 2003 article, 2003 CGFNS Exam Registration Deadlines. A list of testing centers arranged by country is provided on the CGFNS WebSite. The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is a one-day exam that tests knowledge of the substantive practice areas that a nurse must master in order to pass the U.S. national licensing exam, NCLEX/RN. The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is referred to as a “predictor” exam, as it is a strong indicator of success on the NCLEX/RN. Statistically, 85% of nurses who pass the CGFNS will pass the NCLEX/RN on their first try. Generally, most nurses who have passed the CGFNS Qualifying Exam should feel confident in their ability to pass the NCLEX/RN Exam, but nonetheless, should prepare well.

Registered nurses may take the CGFNS Exam as part of the CGNFS Certificate Program. In order to obtain the certificate, an applicant must successfully complete CGFNS' Certification Program, a three-part program comprised of a credentials review, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, and an English language proficiency exam. Upon successful completion of all three elements of the program, applicants are awarded a CGFNS Certificate. CGFNS Certification is recommended as an excellent starting point for nurses seeking to immigrate to the U.S. through employment. An Application Packet for the CGFNS Certificate Program can be downloaded directly from the CGFNS WebSite.

Registered nurses continue to be in critical demand in the United States. A National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that, although the U.S. population increased by nearly 14 percent from 1990 to 2000, the rate of nurses entering the workforce between 1996 and 2000 was just 4.1 percent, down from more than 14 percent from 1992 to 1996. If current trends continue, by 2020 the projected shortage will be slightly more than 500,000 nurses nationwide. Clearly, there are opportunities for foreign registered nurses seeking employment in the United States. We at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C. are pleased to continue working with health care providers, individual registered nurses, and nurse recruiting companies, to meet this growing demand.