Question:
Dear Donna,
I graduated with my BSN in the Philippines in 1995. I was hired in the Philippines for a job that didn?t require a nurse license. I married an American citizen two years ago and now have my permanent residency card. I intend to work as a nurse here and am trying to get some direction about how to go about practicing in my profession. I tried to contact the Maryland Board of Nursing for advice, and they sent me a link to your Web page as their reply. I hope you can help me with this.
Nanette
Dear Donna replies:
Dear Nanette,
If I understand you correctly, you graduated from nursing school in 1995 in the Philippines, never took the board exam and never worked as nurse. You now want to become a licensed RN in Maryland. If that is the case, start by reading the information on the Maryland Board of Nursing Web site for nurses who were educated outside of the U.S. at www.mbon.org/main.php?v=norm=0=licensure/foreign_lic_process.html. You'll see that in addition to submitting an application to take the NCLEX exam, you must have your education credentials verified by CGFNS (www.cgfns.org). Likewise, you will be required to take an English language test, etc. The CGFNS site and resources will be very helpful to you with all of this. You also can call and e-mail them for help. Once you have received your license, you will need to take a refresher course that includes clinical experience with a preceptor.
You are fortunate that there is a very large and active community of Filipino nurses in the U.S. They will help and support you in this journey. Contact the Maryland chapter of the Philippine Nurses Association of America at www.mypnaa.org/index.php/component/content/article/110-maryland-chapter.html
My best wishes,
Donna
