Information for New Zealand nurses wishing to work in the United States of America.
To be able to work in the United States, the first requirement is possession of the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) exam.
This is designed to establish your competence and assess your ability to comprehend English. Successful completion of the exam can allow a nurse to practice, supervised for a limited period, before facing the next hurdle, the NCLEX-RN, or State Board exams. In most states the CGFNS is an entry requirement for the State Board exam.
CGFNS Exam
To obtain a booklet containing information about the exam, where to apply and where you can sit it etc, either call the American Embassy or write to:
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools
3600 Market Street
Suite 400
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania 19104-2651
USA
Ph: +215 349-8767
Fax: +215 662 0425
Email: support@cgfns.org
Web: www.cgfns.org
Professional Associations
American Nurses Association
600 Maryland Ave SW,
Suite 100 West,
Washington DC 20024
Ph: +202 651-7000
Fax: +202 651-7001
Web: www.nursingworld.org
National League for Nursing
61 Broadway
New York
NY 10006 #3 Floor
Ph: (212) 363-5555
Fax: (212) 812-0393
Website: www.nln.org
National Federation for Speciality Nursing Organisations
East Holly Avenue
Box 56
Pitman
New Jersey 08071-0056
Ph: +609 256 2333
Fax: +609 589 7463
American Nurses Credentialling Centre
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Suite 100 West
Washington DC 20024
Ph: 202 651 7000
Boards of Nursing
United States Boards of nursing current addresses, phone and fax numbers are available at National Council of State Boards of Nursing.