UB School of Nursing

International students are an important part of the UB and School of Nursing communities and we welcome applications from students from all countries. Students have attended the School of Nursing from Thailand, Jordan, Korea, China, Cambodia, Canada, Japan, Cameroon, Ghana, Taiwan, and many more.

Prospective Students :
Whether you are an undergraduate or already a nurse seeking graduate school you can find the help you need to apply on our website at: http://nursing.buffalo.edu and the University at Buffalo International Student site at: http://wings.buffalo.edu/intadmit/

Please apply as soon as possible so that we can be certain we have enough time to review your application and process all the necessary VISA requirements.

Furthermore if you are a nurse seeking graduate study or the RN/BS program, you must obtain a US license. This process takes some time so start at once by visiting the site for the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools: www.cgfns.org. Follow their directions precisely, but start at once, even before you complete your application as you will need this license for nearly any United States clinical MS nursing program. A delay could jeopardize your enrollment or timely progression in a degree program.

Admitted Students:

Welcome to the UB School of Nursing. We look forward to having you join us in the coming semester. In the meantime we want to bring to your attention some important requirements for admitted international students.

1. Spoken English Proficiency for undergraduate and graduate students:

All non-English speaking students must take the SPEAK test and earn a score of at least 50 prior to progressing to any clinical course. Contact the UB English Language Institute at http://wings.buffalo.edu/eli/esl_speak.htm as soon as possible to insure you can take the test in the days immediate before the semester begins. Students not taking the test or earning a 50 could take much longer to complete their degree program.

2. US Licensure for graduate students and undergraduates in our RN/BS program:

You must obtain a US license before you start your first semester. Students may not enroll in our RN/BS, or clinical MS or Post MS programs without a US license. See detailed instructions below.

3. Health Background Form verifying your good health and immunizations:

http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/shs/student-health/immunization.shtml

4. Basic Life Support for Health Providers Certification:

Students in graduate nursing programs, RN/BS, ABS, and upper division (last two years) of the BASIC program must submit proof of completion of a BLS course for health providers.

5. Orientation:

To help you receive all the information that you need to study at UB, you will be required to attend two orientations. An orientation program for newly admitted international students is scheduled annually through the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISSS). This program is for both undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, this office will provide valuable information about life in Buffalo including help with housing, health insurance, and finances. http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/index.html.

The other orientation is presented by the School of Nursing. You will be notified of the time. Undergraduates will be given a time during the week before classes. Graduate students will attend on the Friday before classes.

During the ISSS orientation, you will receive important information about:

obtaining a university identification card
setting up an e-mail account
meeting your academic adviser
registering for classes
taking language tests (if required)
using the university libraries and health services
understanding university rules, regulations and academic procedures
maintaining proper immigration status as an international student

For further information please visit the UB International Students site

Certification Program
Credentials evaluation and Qualifying Exam for first-level general nurses (RNs). May be required for state licensure. Best success predictor for NCLEX-RN®. Satisfies immigration exam requirement.

Credentials Evaluation Service
Course-by-course comparisons of education to US standards for licensure, further education and employment.

Credential Verification Service for New York State
Required of internationally educated RNs, LPNs, OTs and assistants, PTs and assistants seeking licensure in New York State.

CVS meets the NY state requirements that candidates for a license obtain independent verification of the authenticit of their credentials from a State Education Department approved Credential Verification service.

The CGFNS Credential Verification Service for New York State independently collects and verifies the authenticity of an applicant's educational and licensure/registration credentials. Once verified, the credentials are forwarded to the New York State Education Department to be evaluated as part of the applicant's licensure application. Following this authentication, NY State will verify the appropriateness of your nursing education and subsequently authorize you to the take the NCLEX RN licensing exam.

Fees for Credential Verification Service for New York State (CVS)		Fee
•	Credential Verification Service for New York State (CVS)	$275.001

The NY State site which delineates how to proceed can be found at:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/nursing.htm

Verifying Education Credentials from Non-U.S. Program

Applicants who seek to meet the education requirement for an RN license with credentials from programs not registered by the New York State Education Department or not approved by another United States licensing jurisdiction, must have their educational credentials verified by an independent credentials verification organization acceptable to the Department. For the profession of nursing, that is the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

Such applicants should contact CGFNS for the application and instructions to complete the CGFNS credentials verification process for New York State licensure applicants. Please note this verification process is not the same as CGFNS Certification (which is required for registered nurse limited permit applicants only). The CGFNS credentials verification process for NYS licensure applicants is a process for verifying the authenticity of your education credentials. It is not an evaluation or certification process of your nursing education.

The CGFNS credentials verification service for New York State applicants does not indicate approval by the New York State Education Department of the content of your education. After your educational credentials are validated by CGFNS, they will be evaluated by the New York State Education Department.

You will be advised in writing of the results of the New York State Education Department's evaluation of your education. In addition, the licensing examination administrator will be notified if you are eligible for the examination.

Examination Requirements

To meet the examination requirements for licensure as a registered professional nurse, you must successfully complete the NCLEX examination developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered by Pearson VUE.
To qualify to take either the NCLEX-RN examination:
If you are a non-U.S. nursing program graduate, you may only apply for the examination after receiving a letter from the New York State Education Department notifying you that your education has been approved and you are now eligible to sit for the examination.

Submit an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and the $135 licensure and first registration fee to the New York State Education Department.
Register directly with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX examination. You may register for the examination online at www.vue.com/nclex or by calling Pearson VUE at
1-866-496-2539*

For further information please visit the UB International Students site