The first step in the process is submitting an application to the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. In Rhode Island, foreign trained nurses must fulfill the requirements of the CGFNS before being eligible to apply for licensing in Rhode Island. You must follow the steps as well as meet the educational and registration requirements as detailed in the CGFNS Applicant Handbook. Now you send the appropriate Nursing Education form to the educational institution where you received your nursing education; the process has begun! The CGFNS will send you an identification number and an official CGFNS study guide. You may visit the following site for more information. CGFNS International
You must now take and pass the TOEFL exam. For the state of RI, as of March, 2008, the cost for the exam was $150 and it was administered in Providence and in Bristol.
In order to be considered exempt from the English proficiency requirement, you must meet all of the following criteria: Native language is English; country of nursing education was in Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago; language of instruction was English; language of texts was English. You may visit the following site for more info. ETS
You must have the results of this exam forwarded to the CGFNS.
After the CGFNS has reviewed your application and TOEFL results, they will decide if you are an eligible applicant. Once you are an eligible applicant, you will receive a letter of approval from the CGFNS. Now you must prepare for the CGFNS Qualifying exam and English proficiency exam. The best way to prepare for this exam is to review study textbooks in nursing care of the adult (medical and surgical nursing), maternal/infant nursing, nursing care of children and psychiatric/mental health nursing. You can also benefit from reviewing the Official Guide for the CGFNS Qualifying Exam.
You must now submit your application for review by the RI Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education before you take the NCLEX. You may visit the following site for more information. Office of Health Professionals Regulation - Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education
The fee as of March, 2008 was 130.00 for Registered Nurse, and 90.00 for LPN.
NCLEX-RN
You must now sign up to take the NCLEX-RN. You can obtain more information about this exam at the following sites: National Council of State Boards of Nursing or National Council Licensure Examination
Or call testing services toll free: (866) 293-9600 or the NCSBN Testing Services: (312)525-3750
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