Monday, February 26, 2007

Arroyo: Wait for solons’ appeal to CGFNS before board retake

First posted 14:57:29 (Mla time) 2007-02-27
Lira Dalangin-Fernandez ldalangin@inq7.net
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday said the retake of portions of the June 2006 nursing licensure examinations will have to await the results of a congressional task force leaving for the US to seek reconsideration from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

Arroyo said it was the task force, headed by Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella, which asked her to give them until March 4 to try to convince the CGFNS to allow nurses who passed the controversial board exam to secure visas to practice in the US.

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CGFNS should consider PRC’s competence

First posted 00:50:10 (Mla time) 2007-02-27
Inquirer

Perhaps this is what happened to the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) when it sent a fact-finding mission to Manila last September to look into the leakage of test questions in the June 2006 nursing licensure exam, when the scandal was at its height. It saw the trees.

Perhaps, the CGFNS may now be able to see the forest, too. All these years the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has been giving licenses to thousands of nurses (and other professionals). And these nurses are highly appreciated for their competence, the reason they are very much in demand, too, all over the world, including the United States where 83 percent of foreigner-nurses are from the Philippines. In this, the PRC has shown itself most competent.

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Palace to nursing board passers: Retake the exams

First posted 21:49:10 (Mla time) 2007-02-26
Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- Nursing graduates who passed the leakage-tainted June 2006 board exams should retake the test, if they are bent on working in the United States, a Malacañang official has advised.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol said that since the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is a private organization, it could not be prodded to reconsider its decision not to grant VisaScreen applications for the 2006 board passers.

"Retake the exam if you want to get to the States," Apostol told reporters in Malacañang on Monday.

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Partial retake of June ’06 nursing board ready -- Brion

First posted 18:51:04 (Mla time) 2007-02-26
Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- It's all systems go for the partial retake of the controversial June 2006 nursing licensure examination, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said Monday.

“Everything is in place. We are just talking to the deans of some schools on what subsidy we could give” to those who will be taking the leak-tainted tests 3 and 5 of the controversial board exam, Brion said in a phone interview.

The partial retake was a requirement imposed by the American Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) for nurses who took the controversial licensure exam who wish to migrate to the US.

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PRC bent on appealing CGFNS decision on nurses’ work visas

First posted 19:34:47 (Mla time) 2007-02-24
Jerome Aning
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines -- The Professional Regulatory Commission will still appeal for a reconsideration of the decision of the US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools to deny working visas to Filipino nurses who took the tainted June 2006 licensure exams unless they retake portions of the test.

PRC chairperson Leonor Tripon-Rosero will head a team of government officials and private-sector representatives that will leave for the United States on Monday to "explain" the situation to the CGFNS, even though the commission has stated that its decision is final.

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Sunday, February 25, 2007

Nursing Controvery

CGFNS to ’06 nurses: Forget appeal, take test

First posted 04:09:40 (Mla time) 2007-02-24
Nikko Dizon
Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines -- The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS )is standing pat on its decision not to issue VisaScreen certificates to those who passed the tainted June 2006 nursing licensure examination—unless they retake the questionable portions.

The latest CGFNS statement, posted yesterday on its website and attributed to its chief executive officer Barbara L. Nichols, gave emphasis to the requirements of US immigration law.


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Nurses are being punished while cheats stay free

First posted 02:17:45 (Mla time) 2007-02-23
Inquirer


MAY i react to the news report about the need for the June 2006 nursing board passers to retake and pass Test 3 and 5 of the Nursing Licensure Examination before they can be granted the VisaScreen certificate. (Inquirer, 2/16/07)

Nurses, especially those who passed the June 2006 board exam, are again at the losing end, while the guilty parties are still free.

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A culture of dishonesty

First posted 00:52:54 (Mla time) 2007-02-23
Inquirer


We in the United States, in particular myself in New York City, are appalled by the 2006 nursing exam cheating scandal. We have all been hurt and shamed as Filipinos.

But after all that have transpired, few people have gotten the message that the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) wants to teach them a lesson. No amount of appeal will change its decision to disallow this batch of nurses from working in the United States because to do so would compromise patient care in the United States.

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Nursing topnotchers willing to retake tainted tests

By Jhunnex Napallacan
Visayas Bureau
Last updated 08:53pm (Mla time) 02/22/2007

CEBU CITY, Philippines -- The two Cebu-based Top 10 passers of the June 2006 Nursing Licensure Examination are now willing to retake the tainted sections of the examinations just to fulfill their dreams of working in the United States.

Maelaurece Plaza, the 5th placer of the 2006 nursing board exam, and Chulou Penales, the 10th placer, both admitted that their ultimate goal would be to find work in the U.S.

"It is everybody's dream," Plaza said.

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PRC bent on appealing CGFNS decision on nurses’ work visas

PRC bent on appealing CGFNS decision on nurses’ work visas

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer

Posted date: February 24, 2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The Professional Regulatory Commission will still appeal for a reconsideration of the decision of the US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools to deny working visas to Filipino nurses who took the tainted June 2006 licensure exams unless they retake portions of the test.

PRC chairperson Leonor Tripon-Rosero will head a team of government officials and private-sector representatives that will leave for the United States on Monday to "explain" the situation to the CGFNS, even though the commission has stated that its decision is final.

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Retake of nursing licensure exam ‘final,’ says DOLE

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 03:58pm (Mla time) 02/24/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The voluntary retake of tests 3 and 5 of the June 2006 nursing licensure exam for the 17,000 who passed it is “final,” Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said Saturday.

In a statement, the labor chief said Barbara Nichols, head of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), had spoken with Leonor Rosero, chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

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Gov’t tailoring nursing sector to US demands, health activist says

Is the government tailor-fitting the country’s nursing sector to the demands of the U.S. market?

The secretary-general of the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), Dr. Gene Nisperos, has posed this question following statements by government officials that the Arroyo administration is amenable to having the June 2006 nursing board examination passers be subjected to a possible retake, as requested by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), a non-profit organization that screens foreign nurse applicants for visa certificates in the United States

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Solon asks PRC chair Rosero to quit

An administration ally at the House of Representatives demanded Thursday the resignation of Leonor Rosero, chair of the Professional Regulations Commission.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, also a physician, said Rosero failed to protect the interest of the nursing graduates who passed the leakage-tainted June 2006 licensure exam when she urged them to challenge the decision of the US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools to disqualify them for VisaScreen Certificate.

The VisaScreen Certificate is a requirement for licensed Filipino nurses to migrate to the United States and work as a nurse.

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Labor chief backs 'voluntary' nursing exam retake

Saying it will bring closure to last year's nursing exam scandal, labor secretary Labor secretary Arturo Brion pushed for a voluntary retake of the board exams as required by a US agency.

Brion said Saturday he will recommend to Malacañang the voluntary partial retake of the exam.

"I'll recommend that those who want to take some parts of the exam take it, just to go to the US. This will also bring closure to the June 2006 nursing exam scandal. By allowing those who want to take the exam to take the exam, we will show the world we are finally closing the book on the scandal," he said in Filipino in a radio interview.

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PRC to press nurses' case despite CGFNS stand

Unfazed by the hardline stance of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, Philippine officials are still pushing through with a plan to appeal the case of nursing graduates who passed the leakage-marred June 2006 board exam.

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) head Leonor Rosero said Saturday a team of government officials and private sector representatives will "explain" the situation to the CGFNS.

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CGFNS CEO ADVICE TO ROSERO: DECISION IS FINAL

PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA, 8 PM EST February 23, 2007; 9 AM Manila Time, February 24, 2007 — Philippine Regulation Commission Chair Dr. Leonor Rosero and the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) CEO Barbara Nichols spoke with each other by telephone Saturday morning, February 24 Manila time. Dr. Nichols requested the telephone conversation so that she might provide Dr. Rosero with additional information regarding CGFNS's recent decision to deny VisaScreen® certification to nurses licensed following the June 2006 licensure examination. A VisaScreen Certificate is required before any healthcare worker educated outside the U.S. can be issued an occupational visa to work in the United States.

During the conversation, Dr. Nichols assured Dr. Rosero that CGFNS was fully aware of and concerned about the hardship that its decision might cause to the June 2006 passers. Dr. Nichols noted, however, that the decision is final, and no useful purpose would be served by Dr. Rosero coming to the United States to make an "appeal" of that decision. The CGFNS CEO made several points during the conversation, among them:

  • CGFNS is not a Court or a Government agency. It is a private, nonprofit corporation. The Board of Trustees, the highest authority of that corporation, has made this decision. There is no process or provision for an appeal or reconsideration of a Board decision. There is no higher authority than the Board of Trustees.
  • The decision of the CGFNS Board of Trustees is required by U.S. immigration law in circumstances such as this. In this case, because passers of the June 2006 Philippine nursing licensure exam were found to have a license that was not comparable to a U.S. nursing license, the Board was required to determine that a VisaScreen Certificate may not be issued to such individuals.
  • The decision of the Board of Trustees on this issue was unanimous. There was not a single No vote.
  • As evidence of its compassion and concern about the consequences of its decision, CGFNS provided an opportunity for the June passers to "cure" their present ineligibility by re-taking the equivalent of Tests 3 and 5. CGFNS will therefore gladly accept the passing test scores of any nurse who had the courage to re-take the licensure exam--in whole or in part--in December 2006. And it has urged the Philippine Government to allow the June 2006 passers to re-take Tests 3 and 5 during 2007.
  • This decision of the CGFNS Board is final; the matter is settled.
CGFNS News

DoLE plans to administer nursing board retake

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 08:40pm (Mla time) 02/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) plans to administer the retake of the tainted portions of the June 2006 nursing licensure exams, Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said Tuesday.

This came following a decision of the United States' Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to deny VisaScreen Certificates to the 17,000 passers of the controversial board examinations.

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Appealing to CGFNS ‘useless,’ says Gordon

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 06:02pm (Mla time) 02/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The government's plan to appeal the decision of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) requiring nurses who passed the June 2006 board examination to retake two leak-tainted tests if they want to acquire US visas is useless, Senator Richard Gordon said Tuesday.

Gordon, whose Senate resolution was the basis of the inquiry into the leakage in the June 2006 board, said the CGFNS is not going to consider the personal appeal of Professional Regulation Commission chair Leonor Tripon-Rosero.

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Most Filipinos trust competence of June 2006 nursing passers

SAYS SURVEY

By Kate V. Pedroso
Inquirer
Last updated 09:54pm (Mla time) 02/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- While most Filipinos would trust passers of the controversial June 2006 nursing board exam to take care of them in sickness, they also agreed that opportunities for the nurses to work abroad would decrease as an aftermath of the cheating that marred the exams, recent surveys from the Social Weather Stations found.

The US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) recently decided not to issue VisaScreen certificates to passers of the nursing licensure examinations in June 2006, unless they would retake and pass two parts of the tests which were allegedly leaked.


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Pinoy Insights

The Best and Top Performing Nursing Schools in the Philippines


Nursing has become an in demand profession abroad for Filipinos. This is because rich foreign countries like U.S., Canada, Japan, Norway and Austria are in need of nurses caused by steep population growth resulting in a growing need for health care services; a diminishing pipeline of new students in nursing; an aging nursing workforce; and the lack of interest among youths to take up nursing because of the difficult and risky working conditions. In the United States alone, the demand for nurses is estimated at 600,000 between now and 2020.

Filipino nurses prefer to work abroad because of its high pay. Low salary, and political instability are also some frequent reasons cited by Filipino nurses trying their luck abroad.

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Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Visa Screen Update

CGFNS Visa Screen Update

Further information on February 14 announcement: CGFNS denies VisaScreen® certificates for Philippine nurses who passed the compromised June 2006 Philippine Licensure Examination

BY: Barbara L. Nichols, Chief Executive Officer, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — FEBRUARY 20, 2007 — The VisaScreen® Certification Program is a federally mandated immigration screening program for certain foreign health professionals seeking an occupational visa to the United States. CGFNS is designated by U.S. immigration law to administer this program. Pursuant to its mandate under Section 212(a)(5)(C) of the U.S. Immigration Nationality Act, CGFNS has determined that those Philippine nurses who were sworn in as licensed nurses in the Philippines following their passing the compromised June 2006 licensure examination are not eligible for the issuance of a VisaScreen certificate. CGFNS has further determined that the June 2006 passers are able to overcome this bar and qualify for issuance of a VisaScreen certificate by taking the equivalent of Tests 3 and 5 on a future Philippine nursing exam.

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How To Perform Adult CPR

Medline Plus

Medline Plus
TrustedHealth Information for You

A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
and the National Institutes of Health

Medical Encyclopedia Online

Online Nursing (The fastest way...)

The Potential Use of Blogs in Nursing Education

Blogs in Nursing Education
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School[49] hosts a Student Organization page that contains students' blogs about different topics related to students' experiences in medical school. Instructors are encouraged to create their own blogs before introducing blogging as a classroom activity. A simple Google search for a specific health profession blog will allow the instructor to contact the author and dialogue about the challenges and successes of their specific site. Educators may create blog sites that serve as multidisciplinary forums for healthcare professionals.

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Nursing Forums

> Forums on Nursing
> Visit MEDI-SMART

Nursing Millionaire-Nursing Fun and Games

The Fastest Way!

Nursing Links (All about nursing)

Healthy Living Tools

"View Site Here"
1. Personality Tests
2. Wellness Checklist
3. Alternative Medicine Cabinet
4. Healthy House
5. + more....

Free Games for Nurses

marianbsn's BEST website!!!

The Best Site with Animated Lectures
http://health.discovery.com/tools/blausen/blausen.html

Top Nursing Web/Blog Sites

Sprain / Strain INJURY

R I CE: 1st Aid abbreviation

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Cool 3d Animation

1st Aid for BURNS

About Burns: 1st Aid

1st Aid Videos
a. Chemical
b. Thermal
c. Electrical

1st Aid Videos for AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION

1. Infant Obstruction
2. Child Obstruction
a. Responsive
b. Unresponsive
3. Adult Obstruction
a. Responsive
b. Unresponsive

Great sites to visit!!!...

Heart

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation

Top 10 foods that promotes sleep

Preparing to be a Nurse?

What is a Nurse ?

The Five "Rights" of Nurses

Nursing Humor

The Nightingale Pledge

Nurse's Plegde <- CLICK HERE

Nurse's Antidote to Burnout

Travel Nursing: An Antidote to Burnout

HPN NCP

HYPERTENSION: SEVERE -< mylinks

A very tricky question...

ANSWER ME IF U CAN!
The client with a total laryngectomy receives tube feedings to meet his fluid and nutrition needs. What is the primary rationale for tube feedings in this situation?
(1) Prevent pain from swallowing.
(2) Ensure adequate intake.
(3) Prevent fistula development.
(4) Allow for adequate suture line healing.

Great sites to visit!!!

Question of the Day #1

Q of the Day #1
When assessing a client with cellulitis of the right leg, which of the following would the nurse expect to find?
A. Painful skin that is swollen and pale in color
B. Cold, red skin
C. Small, localized blackened area of skin
D. Red, swollen skin with inflammation spreading to surrounding tissues

30 Med Surge Q's

MS Q's (Cardiovascular)
* Answers w/ Rationale to be posted after 2-3 days...

1. When assessing a client with chest pain, the nurse obtains a thorough history. Which statement by the client is most suggestive of angina pectoris?
A. "The pain lasted for about 45 minutes."
B. "The pain resolved after I ate a sandwich."
C. "The pain worsened when I took a deep breath."
D. "The pain occurred while I was mowing the lawn."

2. A client with left-sided heart failure complains of increasing shortness of breath and is agitated and coughing up pink-tinged, foamy sputum. The nurse should recognize these as signs and symptoms of:
A. right-sided heart failure.
B. acute pulmonary edema.
C. pneumonia.
D. cardiogenic shock.

3. A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops right-sided heart failure. Which symptom is common in this disorder?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Hypertension
C. Dyspnea
D. Jugular vein distention

4. Which client characteristic would be an example of noncompliance?
A. Undesired drug action
B. Multiple questions
C. Failure to progress
D. Resolved symptoms

5. A client with refractory angina is scheduled for a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The cardiologist orders an infusion of abciximab (ReoPro). Before beginning the infusion, the nurse should ensure the client has:
A. negative history of tonic-clonic seizures.
B. ampule of naloxone (Narcan) at the bedside.
C. continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring.
D. up-to-date activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) result in his record.

6. A client is hospitalized with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The nurse notes that the client has had no visitors, is withdrawn, avoids eye contact, and refuses to take part in conversation. In a loud and angry voice the client demands the nurse leave the room. The nurse formulates a nursing diagnosis of Social isolation. Based on this diagnosis what is an appropriate goal for this client?
A. Identifying one way to increase social interaction
B. Reporting increased adaptation to changes in health status
C. Identifying at least one factor contributing to altered sexuality patterns
D. Returning a demonstration of measures that can increase independence

7. When developing a plan of care for an older adult the nurse should consider which challenges faced by clients in this age group?
A. Selecting vocation, becoming financially independent, and managing a home
B. Developing leisure activities, preparing for retirement, and resolving empty nest crisis
C. Managing a home, developing leisure activities, and preparing for retirement
D. Adjusting to retirement, deaths of family members, and decreased physical strength

8. Shortly after being admitted to the coronary care unit with an acute myocardial infarction (MI), a client reports midsternal chest pain radiating down the left arm. The nurse notices that the client is restless and slightly diaphoretic, and measures a temperature of 99.6° F (37.6° C), a heart rate of 102 beats/minute; regular, slightly labored respirations at 26 breaths/minute; and a blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority?
A. Risk for imbalanced body temperature
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Anxiety
D. Acute pain

9. The nurse is caring for a client with a history of falls. The first priority when caring for a client at risk for falls is:
A. placing the call light for easy access.
B. keeping the bed at the lowest position possible.
C. instructing the client not to get out of bed without assistance.
D. keeping the bedpan available so that the client doesn't have to get out of bed.

10. While caring for a client who is immobile, the nurse documents the following information in the client's chart: "Turn client from side to back every two hours." "Skin intact; no redness noted." "Client up in chair three times today." "Improved skin turgor noted." Which nursing diagnosis accurately reflects this information?
A. Risk for impaired skin integrity related to immobility
B. Impaired skin integrity related to immobility
C. Constipation related to immobility
D. Disturbed body image related to immobility

11. Which nursing diagnosis would be the most appropriate for a client with coronary artery disease (CAD)?
A. neffective thermoregulation
B. Impaired gas exchange
C. Risk for injury
D. Decreased cardiac output

12. A client with a history of an anterior wall myocardial infarction is being transferred from the coronary care unit (CCU) to the cardiac step-down unit (CSU). While giving a report to the CSU nurse, the CCU nurse says, "His pulmonary artery wedge pressures have been in the high normal range." The CSU nurse should be especially observant for:
A. hypertension.
B. high urine output.
C. dry mucous membranes.
D. pulmonary crackles.

13.A client with severe left-sided heart failure has a decrease in the total amount of blood ejected per minute. This quantity is known as:
A. stroke volume.
B. ejection fraction.
C. cardiac output.
D. heart rate.

14. Which statement from a client who takes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) as needed for anginal pain indicates that further teaching is necessary?
A. "I store the tablets in a dark bottle."
B."I take the tablet with a full glass of water."
C. "I check for my tongue to tingle when I take a tablet."
D. "I'll go to the hospital if three tablets, 5 minutes apart, don't relieve the pain."

15. The nurse is caring for a client taking an anticoagulant. The nurse should teach the client to:
A. report incidents of diarrhea.
B. avoid foods high in vitamin K.
C. use a straight razor when shaving.
D. take aspirin for pain relief.


16. In caring for a client with vasovagal syncope, the nurse should know that the associated temporary loss of consciousness is most commonly related to:
A. vestibular dysfunction.
B. sudden vascular fluid shifting.
C. postural hypotension.
D. bradyrhythmia.

17. A client with mitral valve prolapse is advised to have elective mitral valve replacement. Because the client is a Jehovah's Witness, she declares in her advance directive that no blood products are to be administered. As a result, the consulting cardiac surgeon refuses to care for the client. It would be most appropriate for the nurse caring for the client to:
A. realize the surgeon has the right to refuse to care for the client.
B. advise the surgeon to arrange for an alternate cardiac surgeon.
C. tell the client that she can donate her own blood for the procedure.
D. inform the client that her decision could shorten her life.

18. The nurse is caring for a client with acute pulmonary edema. To immediately promote oxygenation and relieve dyspnea, the nurse should:
A. administer oxygen.
B. have the client take deep breaths and cough.
C. place the client in high Fowler's position.
D. perform chest physiotherapy.

19. The nurse may use one of the many nursing theories to guide client care. What are the four key concepts of most nursing theories?
A. Man, health, illness, and health care
B. Health, illness, health restoration, and caring
C. Man, environment, health, and nursing
D. Health, environment, disease, and treatment
Rationale: Most nursing theories deal with the key concepts of man (or person — the individual), the environment (external conditions affecting life and development), health (optimal functioning), and nursing. Illness, health care, health restoration, caring, disease, and treatment are concepts addressed by specific theorists.

20. Following coronary artery bypass grafting, a client begins having chest "fullness" and anxiety. The nurse suspects cardiac tamponade and prints a lead II electrocardiograph (ECG) strip for interpretation. In looking at the strip, the change in the QRS complex that would most support her suspicion is:
A. narrowing complex.
B. widening complex.
C. amplitude increase.
D. amplitude decrease.

21. A client who received general anesthesia returns from surgery. Postoperatively, which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority for this client?
A. Acute pain related to surgery
B. Deficient fluid volume related to blood and fluid loss from surgery
C. Impaired physical mobility related to surgery
D. Risk for aspiration related to anesthesia

22. Which type of evaluation occurs continuously throughout the teaching and learning process?
A. Formative
B. Retrospective
C. Summative
D. Informative

23. A client with a history of heart failure is examined in the outpatient department to investigate the recent onset of peripheral edema and increased shortness of breath. Physical findings include bilateral crackles, a third heart sound (S3), distended neck veins, elevated blood pressure, and pitting edema of the ankles. The nurse documents the severity of pitting edema as +1. What is the best description of this type of edema?
A. Barely detectable depression when the thumb is released from the swollen area; normal foot and leg contours
B. Detectable depression of less than 5 mm when the thumb is released from the swollen area; normal foot and leg contours
C. A 5- to 10-mm depression when the thumb is released from the swollen area; foot and leg swelling
D. A depression of more than 1 cm when the thumb is released from the swollen area; severe foot and leg swelling

24. A client is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of an acute myocardial infarction. When providing care for the client, the nurse should avoid which route when taking a temperature?
A. Oral
B. Rectal
C. Axillary
D. Tympanic

25. What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the client with acute pancreatitis?
A. Deficient fluid volume
B. Excess fluid volume
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Ineffective gastrointestinal tissue perfusion

26. A client is receiving captopril (Capoten) for heart failure. The nurse should notify the physician that the medication therapy is ineffective if an assessment reveals:
A. a skin rash.
B. peripheral edema.
C. a dry cough.
D. postural hypotension.

27. One aspect of implementation related to drug therapy is:
A. developing a content outline.
B. documenting drugs given.
C. establishing outcome criteria.
D. setting realistic client goals.

28. After a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) a client develops aphasia. Which assessment finding is most typical in aphasia?
A. Arm and leg weakness
B. Absence of the gag reflex
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Inability to speak clearly

29. Which intervention is an example of a primary prevention?
A. Administering digoxin (Lanoxicaps) to a client with heart failure
B. Administering a measles, mumps, and rubella immunization to an infant
C. Obtaining a Papanicolaou (Pap) test to screen for cervical cancer
D. Using occupational therapy to help a client cope with arthritis

30. Murmurs that indicate heart disease are commonly accompanied by other symptoms such as:
A. dyspnea on exertion.
B. subcutaneous emphysema.
C. thoracic petechiae.
D. periorbital edema.

Fundamentals of Nursing (Exam)

The Nursing Process - 26 questions...
*lifted fromNCLEX-RN Brunner Suddarth
> answers & rationale to be posted after 2-3 days...
> passing rate 18/26
> Score 17-19 = fair
20-23 = v. good
24-26 = excellent

1. A client is to be discharged from an acute care facility after treatment of right leg thrombophlebitis. The nurse notes that the client's leg is pain free, without redness or edema. The nurse's actions reflect which step in the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Analysis
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation

2. The nurse identifies a client's responses to actual or potential health problems during which step of the nursing process?
A. Assessment
B. Analysis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation

3. Which type of evaluation occurs continuously throughout the teaching and learning process?
A. Formative
B. Retrospective
C. Summative
D. Informative

4. The nurse is reviewing a client's arterial blood gas (ABG) report. Which ABG value reflects the acid concentration in the blood?
A. pH
B. Pao2
C. Paco2
D. HCO3_

5. The nurse is providing care for a client who underwent mitral valve replacement. The best example of a measurable client outcome goal is to:
A. change his own dressing.
B. walk in the hallway.
C. walk from his room to the end of the hall and back before discharge.
D. eat a special diet.

6. A client who received general anesthesia returns from surgery. Postoperatively, which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority for this client?
A. Acute pain related to surgery
B. Deficient fluid volume related to blood and fluid loss from surgery
C. Impaired physical mobility related to surgery
D. Risk for aspiration related to anesthesia

7. A blind client is admitted for treatment of gastroenteritis. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority for this client?
A. Anxiety
B. Risk for injury
C. Activity intolerance
D. Impaired physical mobility

8. One aspect of implementation related to drug therapy is:
A. developing a content outline.
B. documenting drugs given.
C. establishing outcome criteria.
D. setting realistic client goals.

9. A client has a nursing diagnosis of Risk for injury related to adverse effects of potassium-wasting diuretics. What is the correctly written client outcome for this nursing diagnosis?
A. By discharge, the client correctly identifies three potassium-rich foods.
B. The client knows the importance of consuming potassium-rich foods daily.
C. Before discharge, the client knows which food sources are high in potassium.
D. The client understands all complications of the disease process.

10. Shortly after being admitted to the coronary care unit with an acute myocardial infarction (MI), a client reports midsternal chest pain radiating down the left arm. The nurse notices that the client is restless and slightly diaphoretic, and measures a temperature of 99.6° F (37.6° C), a heart rate of 102 beats/minute; regular, slightly labored respirations at 26 breaths/minute; and a blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg. Which nursing diagnosis takes highest priority?
A. Risk for imbalanced body temperature
B. Decreased cardiac output
C. Anxiety
D. Acute pain

11. A client with shock brought on by hemorrhage has a temperature of 97.6° F (36.4° C), a heart rate of 140 beats/minute, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and a blood pressure of 60/30 mm Hg. For this client the nurse should question which physician order?
A. "Monitor urine output every hour."
B. "Infuse I.V. fluids at 83 ml/hr"
C. "Administer oxygen by nasal cannula at 3 L/minute"
D. "Draw samples for hemoglobin and hematocrit every 6 hours."

12. While caring for a client who is immobile, the nurse documents the following information in the client's chart: "Turn client from side to back every two hours." "Skin intact; no redness noted." "Client up in chair three times today." "Improved skin turgor noted." Which nursing diagnosis accurately reflects this information?
A. Risk for impaired skin integrity related to immobility
B. Impaired skin integrity related to immobility
C. Constipation related to immobility
D. Disturbed body image related to immobility

13. What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the client with acute pancreatitis?
A. Deficient fluid volume
B. Excess fluid volume
C. Decreased cardiac output
D. Ineffective gastrointestinal tissue perfusion

14. After a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) a client develops aphasia. Which assessment finding is most typical in aphasia?
A. Arm and leg weakness
B. Absence of the gag reflex
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Inability to speak clearly

15. Which intervention is an example of a primary prevention?
A. Administering digoxin (Lanoxicaps) to a client with heart failure
B. Administering a measles, mumps, and rubella immunization to an infant
C. Obtaining a Papanicolaou (Pap) test to screen for cervical cancer
D. Using occupational therapy to help a client cope with arthritis

16. A client is hospitalized with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The nurse notes that the client has had no visitors, is withdrawn, avoids eye contact, and refuses to take part in conversation. In a loud and angry voice the client demands the nurse leave the room. The nurse formulates a nursing diagnosis of Social isolation. Based on this diagnosis what is an appropriate goal for this client?
A. Identifying one way to increase social interaction
B. Reporting increased adaptation to changes in health status
C. Identifying at least one factor contributing to altered sexuality patterns
D. Returning a demonstration of measures that can increase independence

17. Which client characteristic would be an example of noncompliance?
A. Undesired drug action
B. Multiple questions
C. Failure to progress
D. Resolved symptoms

18. The nurse is revising a client's plan of care. During which step of the nursing process does such revision take place?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation

19. The nurse is taking the health history of an 85-year-old client. Which information will be most useful to the nurse for planning care?
A. General health for the past 10 years
B. Current health promotion activities
C. Family history of diseases
D. Marital status

20. Which clinical characteristic affects client compliance?
A. Drug knowledge
B. Psychosocial factors
C. Nurse-client relationship
D. Disease duration and severity

21. When monitoring a client's central venous pressure (CVP), the nurse knows that a normal CVP measurement is:
A. 2 cm H20.
B. 1 mm Hg.
C. 10 mm Hg.
D. 5 cm H20.

22. The nurse may use one of the many nursing theories to guide client care. What are the four key concepts of most nursing theories?
A. Man, health, illness, and health care
B. Health, illness, health restoration, and caring
C. Man, environment, health, and nursing
D. Health, environment, disease, and treatment

23. Using Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, the nurse assigns highest priority to which client need?
A. Security
B. Elimination
C. Safety
D. Belonging

24. The nurse is caring for a client with a history of falls. The first priority when caring for a client at risk for falls is:
A. placing the call light for easy access.
B. keeping the bed at the lowest position possible.
C. instructing the client not to get out of bed without assistance.
D. keeping the bedpan available so that the client doesn't have to get out of bed.

25. A client is admitted with acute chest pain. When obtaining the health history, which question will be most helpful for the nurse to ask?
A. "Do you need anything now?"
B. "Why do you think you had a heart attack?"
C. "What were you doing when the pain started?"
D. "Has anyone in your family been sick lately?"

26. When developing a plan of care for an older adult the nurse should consider which challenges faced by clients in this age group?
A. Selecting vocation, becoming financially independent, and managing a home
B. Developing leisure activities, preparing for retirement, and resolving empty nest crisis
C. Managing a home, developing leisure activities, and preparing for retirement
D. Adjusting to retirement, deaths of family members, and decreased physical strength

US nursing group, RP mull flexibility on VisaScreen

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 07:27pm (Mla time) 02/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine government may open informal talks with the United States’ Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to ask for a "flexible implementation" of its policy requiring nurses who passed the June 2006 board exams to retake disputed portions of the test to be eligible for visas, an official said Monday.

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said he met with CGFNS representatives on Sunday and asked them if they would be flexible about the retake for nurses who would want to work in America.

"'We can talk,' they said; we talked about some options, which I cannot yet make public," he told reporters. "We'll explore possibilities of flexible implementation during the informal talks because I think our chances are better if we use this option."

Continue reading...

Swallow the bitter pill, exec tells June ‘06 nursing passers

By Leila Salaverria
Inquirer
Last updated 07:17pm (Mla time) 02/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Swallow the bitter pill if your request is rejected.

In case the US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools would deny the government’s appeal, passers of the tainted June 2006 nursing licensure examination must accept the American organization’s decision not to give them VisaScreen certificates unless they comply with certain requirements, Dante Ang of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas said.

The US-CGFNS earlier said the June 2006 passers would not be eligible for VisaScreen certificates, a federally approved screening program for foreign health workers seeking an occupational visa in the US, unless they retake and pass Tests 3 and 5, which were earlier tainted by the leakage.

Continue reading...

Task force binuo para umapela sa CGFNS

Isang government-private sector team ang binuo para iapela ang desisyon ng US-based Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) na nagbabawal na tanggapin ang mga nursing graduates na pumasa sa June 2006 board exams kung hindi magre-retake sa mga kinuwestiyon pagsusulit.

Inihayag ng radio dzBB nitong Lunes na ang pagbuo ng task force ang napagkasunduan matapos ang pulong na ginawa ng Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) at mga nursing groups sa Maynila.

Ipagpatuloy ang pagbabasa....

‘US government has no say in nursing exam policy’



By PIA LEE-BRAGO

The Philippine Star

The United States government is in no position to convince a nursing commission to reverse its ruling against the issuance of Visa Screen certificates to Filipino nurses who passed the June 2006 leakage-tainted licensure examination.

US embassy press attaché Matthew Lussenhop told The STAR that the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools or CGFNS, as a private institution, follows its own strict requirements for foreign nurses and is totally independent of the US government.

Continue reading...

Govt offers nursing exam retake subsidy

GMA ‘committed’ to uphold RP nurses’ prestige

By Sam Mediavilla, Reporter

The government will shoulder the expenses of the 1,000 nurses who will retake the leakage-marred licensure examinations in June, President Arroyo announced on Friday.

In a speech at the 2007 International Science Conference of the Phil-American Academy of Science and Engineering in a Makati City hotel, the President said “the government shall provide financial assistance to 2006 nursing board passers for the retake of the exams as called for by the CGFNS [Commission on Graduates on Foreign Nursing Schools].”

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RP to appeal US nurse ban

The Philippine government is to appeal a move by the US to ban some 17,000 nurses who passed the 2006 nursing examination amid allegations of mass cheating.

The United States Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) issued the temporary ban this week insisting that Filipino nurses retake sections of the June 2006 Nursing Licensure Examination where mass cheating took place.

President Arroyo in a statement Saturday said she had ordered the appeal to "uphold the prestige of the country's nursing profession and continue the deployment of Filipino nurses abroad."

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Arroyo orders DOLE to appeal CGFNS decision

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday ordered the labor department to appeal the decision of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to bar June 2006 nursing board passers to work in the United States.

"I am ordering the Secretary of Labor to immediately look into the findings of the [CGFNS]; and seek all forms of relief from the visa hold, and appeal for reconsideration of the decision," the President said in a statement.

The Philadelphia-based CGFNS International announced Thursday that Filipino nursing graduates who passed the leakage-marred June 2006 nursing licensure examination are not eligible for a VisaScreen Certificate.

Continue reading...

‘Visa hold the worst we expected’ -- nursing group

By Nikko Dizon
Inquirer
Last updated 10:31pm (Mla time) 02/16/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- It was the worst case scenario they had wanted to avoid.

"That was our point from the start. That's what we were worried about. That's what we wanted to prevent," Pia Bersamin-Embuscado, lawyer of the University of Sto. Tomas Faculty of Nursing Association said on Friday.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer sought Bersamin-Embuscado's comment following the recent decision of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) to deny last year's passers of the VisaScreen Certificates.

Continue reading....



CGFNS TO JUNE ’06 NURSING BOARD PASSERS

‘No partial retake, no migration to US’

By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 07:10pm (Mla time) 02/15/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said on Thursday it needs to study how to respond to the US position that nurses who passed the June 2006 licensure exam cannot migrate there unless they retake portions of the test that were leaked.

Interviewed by phone, PRC chairperson Leonor Tripon-Rosero confirmed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) decision that passers in “the compromised licensure exam of June 2006 are not eligible for a VisaScreen Certificate.”

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CGFNS Denies VisaScreen® Certificates for Philippine Nurses Who Passed the Compromised June 2006 Philippine Licensure Examination

CGFNS Denies VisaScreen® Certificates for Philippine Nurses Who Passed the Compromised June 2006 Philippine Licensure Examination

PHILADELPHIA, PA — FEBRUARY 14, 2007 — After careful consideration, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS International) has decided that those Philippine nurses who were sworn in as licensed nurses in the Philippines following their passing the compromised licensure exam of June 2006 are not eligible for a VisaScreen Certificate. CGFNS began investigating this issue soon after the first reports of irregularities were received and sent a fact-finding mission to the Philippines in September 2006. CGFNS has concluded that the licensure process for those who received their license as a result of passing the compromised June 2006 licensure examination raises significant questions about the accurate assessment of the competencies of many of those individuals.

Therefore, CGFNS is unable to certify that the licensure is comparable to a U.S. license. In this instance, applicable U.S. immigration law will not permit CGFNS to issue the VisaScreen Certificate required of internationally educated health care workers to those nurses who obtained Philippine licensure on the basis of passing the June 2006 nursing licensure examination. CGFNS notes, however, that the June 2006 passers are able to overcome this bar and qualify for a VisaScreen Certificate by taking the equivalent of Tests 3 and 5 on a future licensing examination administered by Philippine regulatory authorities and obtaining a passing score.

Continue Reading....

NCLEX in Manila open by mid-year

NCLEX in Manila open by mid-year

By JARIUS BONDOC

CHICAGO — Pop the champagne and pray in thanksgiving. The Philippine bid to hold the US nursing licensure exam in Manila succeeded. Filipino nruses who wish to work in America no longer must travel abroad, burning hundreds of dollars, just to take the NCLEX (Nursing Council Licensure Examination). They can do it in Manila starting mid-2007. Other Asians may, too, as an unintended boost for Philippine tourism.

The good news came Thursday evening as the exhausted delegation from Manila, led by Commission on Filipinos Overseas head Dante Ang, was about to sup. President Faith Fields of the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), as NCLEX overseer, announced a unanimous decision. It capped two hours of grilling earlier on Philippine assurances of exam security and housecleaning after fraud marred its own nursing board tests last June.

Ang quickly informed President Arroyo of the event. Manila news outlets called to confirm. The persistence of Filipinos on both sides of the Pacific finally paid off. The first step to nursing job placement in America will now be cut in cost by at least half.

The Philippine Nurses Association in America (PNAA) first broached the idea in 2002 of NCLEX locating in Manila. The NCSBN at that time was mulling to open the licensing test outside the US and its territories in two years. For PNAA past president Filipinas Lowery and present president Rosario May Mayor, it was only logical that Manila be among the pilot areas. After all, Filipinos have always formed the bulk of examinees — over 9,000 or 35 percent per year in the 1990s. (That figure jumped to more than 15,000 or 60 percent last year.) The closest and thus cheapest to reach test site back then was Saipan, for which examinees had to pay $200 exam fee and $600 for fare, food and lodging. Locating the exam in Manila would mean paying only the basic $200-fee plus $150 for foreign processing, but no more overseas travel. They would be able to use the savings to review.

All easier said than done, though. Too frequent were reports of coups and kidnappings in Manila, making the NCSBN hesitant. Software piracy was also rampant, worrying NCLEX examiners about tricksters simply memorizing their questions to transform into nursing school lectures. In 2004 the only new sites opened were London, Seoul and Hong Kong.

In Mar. 2005 Ang joined the NCLEX effort, raising it to an official venture with the PNAA and the Philippine Nurses Association in the homeland. He got the US embassy and American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines to support the Manila testing location. NCSBN officials were invited to Manila for a first-hand look at facilities, physical and software security, and Filipino nursing life. They saw that not only the US Medical Licensing Examination was being given trouble-free in Manila, but also the CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) tests to qualify for the NCLEX. Most telling was the work ethics of Filipino nurses, the reason they comprise 83 percent of foreign nurses in America and are the most preferred by hospitals, doctors’ clinics and care homes.

For good measure, Ang suggested to President Arroyo the formation of an inter-agency Task Force-NCLEX, consisting of his CFO, and reps from the PNA, the Professional Regulatory Commission’s Board of Nursing, the labor office, NBI or PNP, and association of nursing school deans.

The group had just been formed on July 31, 2006, when news broke that the nursing board test of the previous month was marked by question leakage. To make matters worse, at least two nursing board members and PNA officers who owned review centers were implicated. As if that were not enough, the PRC at first denied the leakage, and when examinees came forward to confess to benefiting from the leaks, it tried to sweep the matter under the rug by re-computing the grades and increasing the number of passers. A consequent court order for a partial exam retake only further muddled the affair.

The exam fraud was but a part of the bigger problem of nursing. There was also the issue of poor education. Schools, cashing in on a surge of enrolments from news of a nurse shortage in America, were churning out 80,000 or so grads per year. But only 32,000 or so are able to pass the board test, and only 2,000 easily get jobs in top hospitals.

A second NCSBN visiting group in Oct. 2006, led by president Fields, became all the more worried about NCLEX security and quality of examinees coming from diploma mills. By Dec. the US board decided to open six more testing sites outside the US: Taiwan, Mexico, India, Canada, Australia and Germany. Again, Manila was scratched from the list.

Ang refused to give up. He was fighting against the PRC for a total retake by June examinees, and was being vilified in the press for it. But he pressed on, promising the NCSBN that the Task Force-NCLEX would help solve the problem of exam fraud and education standards. Last Thursday, on the NCSBN’s invitation, Ang presented the accomplishments: NBI probe and indictment of at least 13 exam leaks and cohorts, replacement of all BON members, PRC supervision by the labor department, and review of the nursing curriculum to suit US standards.

Pearson-VUE, the company that actually handles the NCLEX outside America, made an extra pitch. Fraser Cargill, as Asia-Pacific director, said that if anyone has to worry about exam and physical security, it’s him. Yet his firm gives out three other international tests in the Philippines, including supposedly deadly Mindanao, and has had no hitches. Cargill added that only in the Philippines is his work being made easier by a Task Force that reports directly to the President. It was thus that he gave an estimate of three months max to set up the first NCLEX test site in Manila.

Deeply impressing the NCSBN was the Filipinos’ full-court press. Lowery and Mayor flew in from New York to Chicago’s below-zero weather to help Ang present the Manila case. There too was Leo Felix Jurado, wearing two hats as head of the New Jersey state board of nursing and PNAA president-elect for 2008. With Ang were BON chairwoman Carmencita Abaquin, Atty. Elfren Meneses of the NBI anti-fraud and computer theft division, Atty. Ariss Santos representing Labor Sec. Arturo Brion, PNA past and present presidents Ruth Padilla and Leah Samaco Paquiz, and Consul General Blesila Cabrera.

Take a bow, gentlemen and ladies.

NCSBN Selects the Philippines as an International Testing Site for NCLEX(R) Examinations

CHICAGO, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 09, 2007 -- The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®) has selected Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, as a new site for the administration of the NCLEX® examinations. NCSBN's Board of Directors made the decision to expand the number of sites at its Feb. 8, 2007 meeting.

Faith Fields, MSN, RN, president, NCSBN Board of Directors, comments, "The Philippine government has shown a deep commitment to ensuring a secure test center in Manila and has been very responsive to NCSBN concerns. Placing a test site in the Philippines will allow for greater customer service to nurses without compromising the goal of safeguarding the public health, safety and welfare of patients in the U.S."

Offered abroad since January 2005, the current international sites for NCLEX examinations are in London, England; Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong; Sydney, Australia; Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Canada; Frankfurt, Germany; Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai, India; Mexico City, Mexico; Taipei, Taiwan; and Chiyoda-ku and Yokohama, Japan.

Intended for the purposes of domestic nurse licensure in U.S. states and territories, all security policies and procedures currently used to administer the NCLEX examination domestically will be fully implemented at this new site. At this time, no schedule of implementation has been set.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose membership comprises the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories.

Mission: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), composed of Member Boards, provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection.


Continuation.... Click HERE

NCLEX Coming to Philippines

Click HERE -> NCLEX Philippines

PRC voids nurse test parts leaked to examinees

PRC voids nurse test parts leaked to examinees

The Professional Regulation Commission said portions of the June 2006 Nurse Licensure Examination leaked to the examinees were invalidated after their parents stormed the PRC office upon the releases of test results, ANC reported Thursday.

The parents scored PRC for releasing the results while the probe of the National Bureau of Investigation on the test leakage is ongoing.

Leonor Rosero, PRC chairwoman, said that the contested questions were invalidated and taken out from the correction and computation of Tests 3 and 5.

"The investigation is with NBI to pursue. Kawawa na naman ang iba kung maghihintay sila ng isang taon (The investigation is with the NBI to pursue [but we have to release the results] so that the examinees will not have to wait one year [to know the results] )," Rosero said.

The NBI is investigating the leakage confirmed by a PRC fact-finding committee. According to the committee report, the leakage came from the manuscripts of nursing board members Anesia Dionisio and Virginia Madeja. The two are facing administrative charges for neglect of duty.

More than 17,000 of the 42,000 examinees passed the board examinations held from June 11 to 12. The board top notcher came from the University of Pangasinan, with a 83.20 percent score. The second placer was from the University of the Philippines in Manila.

Of the schools with more than 100 examinees, Saint Louis University in Baguio City topped the performance list. It has been reported that the examination leakage took place in Baguio.


FROM : ABS-CBN News

PRC Identifies Leakage Source in Release of Nursing Exam Results

The Professional Regulation Commission identified the two (2) board members who leaked the test questions as Anesia B. Dionisio and Virginia D. Madeja as they released the results of the controversial nurse licensure examination conducted last June 11-12, 2006.

Nursing license depends on NBI Investigation, We Will not think twice to revoke it - PRC

Nursing license depends on NBI Investigation, We Will not think twice to revoke it - PRC


Amidst the celebration of almost 17,000 newly licensed nurses as the Professionals Regulation Commission released the long awaited June 2006 National Licensure Examination for Nurses, There are no reasons to celebrate at all.

According to the recent statement of the Professionals Regulation Commission, Results are not yet FINAL and once an examinee has been proven cheating, They will not think twice to revoke their license and bar the ex-professional from practicing the profession.

NBI has now the case as forwarded by the commission, And depending on the investigation of the NBI, there is a possiblity to null the examination if the investigating body concludes that the leakage is non quantifiable, opening the possibility for a re-examination.

29 out of 70 topnotchers are from R.A Gapuz review center.

" It just fairs in comparison to the previous June 2003 board exams where we got 45 spots " In a statement made by Ray Gapuz.

According to PNA President George Cordero, The review center boast an unbelievably high passing rate.

" If they have such 98% passing rate, then why is the passing rate in the Nursing Licensure exam 42%? Isn't it supposed to be higher? " In a statement made by Mr. George Cordero.

The topnotchers, from 1 to 10 including Gringo De Guzman, the topnotcher, who got 83.20% in the recent board examination was from R.A.Gapuz Review Center that has been recently drag into the leakage issue.

" The commission will not think twice to revoke their licenses if proven that they've cheated " According to the PRC.

Yesterday, the review center "ADMITTED" that they distributed the "LEAKAGE" But they claim that they never knew that it was the exact manuscript that will be asked in the board exams because it was just faxed by a student. The review center admitted that they haven't carefully checked the source and they only asked the reviewees if they are intrested to get a copy.

Nurse Licensure Examination Results Released

Nurse Licensure Examination Results Released
The Philippine Star 07/18/2006

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 17,821 out of 42,006 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last June 2006. The results of examination with respect to eighteen (18) examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examinations.

The members of the Board of Nursing are Eufemia F. Octaviano, Chairman; Remedios L. Fernandez, Letty G. Kuan and Estelita T. Galutira, Members. The two (2) other members of the Board namely Anesia B. Dionisio and Virginia D. Madeja were advised to inhibit themselves from participating in the official functions of the Board of Nursing. Due to the increase on the number of examinees and after a thorough scientific statistical treatment to the report of irregularity, the results were released in twenty-seven (27) working days from the last day of examination.

Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on Monday, May 29, 2006 but not later than June 19, 2006. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 2 pieces passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 1 piece 1" x 1" picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps, and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession; and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2006-2009. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. Registration of successful examinees will start on Tuesday, August 15, 2006.

The schedule of registration in alphabetical order will be announced later. The oathtaking ceremony of the successful examinees in the said examination as well as the previous ones who have not taken their Oath of Professional will be held before the Board on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at 8:00 o'clock in the morning at the Araneta Coliseum, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; on August 23, 2006 in Cebu; on August 26, 2006 in Zamboanga; on August 29, 2006 in Iloilo; on August 30, 2006 in Tuguegarao; on August 31, 2006 in Legazpi and Davao; on September 3, 2006 in Baguio; on September 6, 2006 in Tacloban; and on September 7, 2006 in Cagayan De Oro. Please contact the Accredited Professional Organization (Philippine Nurses Association) local chapter for further details. All must come in their white gala uniform, nurses cap, white duty shoes, without earrings, hair not touching the collar and without corsage.

No oathtaking will be allowed before the August 22, 2006 schedule in Manila. Oathtaking will be administered by the Board of Nursing as per RA 9173. Tickets will be available starting Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at the Ground Floor of PRC - Main Building, Sampaloc, Manila.

Phil Star
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/dailydose200607190202.htm

Faxed paper holds key

Faxed paper holds key
by Francis Earl A. Cueto, Researcher

The owner of a review center where test questions for the nursing board examinations were allegedly leaked admitted on Tuesday that the center allowed the circulation of an 18-page manuscript to its students a day before the exams in June.

In a press briefing, Prof. Ray Gapuz, founder of the R.A. Gapuz review center, said he approved the dissemination of the manuscript faxed to his office by a student.

Gapuz said that as a policy, the center allows students to volunteer new materials to be included in the review as long as they get his permission first.

He recalled a time when similar material was submitted, but the students only got “sidetracked” because it was not included in the exams.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) admitted last week that test questions had indeed been leaked and announced that two members of the Nursing Board were facing an inquiry.

Gapuz said students get review materials from friends in other centers.
“The thing is, other students enroll in different review centers and they share materials. Here we have a policy that they should first ask permission if the materials can be read or distributed or not,” he said.

Stressing that his center never engaged in any cheating, Gapuz said it was possible the leaked questions could have come from rival review centers.

He said, however, that he merely browsed through the bullet points in the faxed manuscript and did not bother to make a thorough evaluation before approving it.

“I did not go through the nitty-gritty of things, because I was having my class on the tenth of June in Manila when I received a fax coursed through my staff asking me to evaluate the paper if it is worth being read by the students in Baguio,” Gapuz said.

“I browsed through it [manuscript] and asked if the students wanted a copy they could go ahead and read it and use it for reference. So this is a choice of the students who want to have a copy or not,” he said.

Ninety-two examinees first filed a complaint about the leakage with the PRC. A total of 425 members of the Philippine Nurses’ Association have since joined them, asking the PRC to hold the release of the results of the examination until a thorough investigation has been made.

The results of the exams, held on June 11 and 12, have not been released. Last week the complainants said the review center distributed answers to exam questions called “emergency drills” the night before the exams.

Gapuz has 16 review centers nationwide.

Last week the PRC said it was considering annulling the results and holding new exams.
But a ranking officer of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said on Tuesday that letting the examinees retake the tests will “not be a logical thing to do.”

CHED Commissioner Dr. Nona Ricaforte said the PRC should simply think of the questionnaires as a “bonus” to the examinees.

“The students and the parents should not be penalized for the leakage. If the test is retaken, you can just imagine the cost and the effort of the students. This will also cost the government a huge sum,’’ said Ricaforte, adding that her statement is not the position of the entire commission.

“I sympathize with the students because some of them have already schedules of going abroad,’’ she added.

Ricaforte said, however, she is not preempting the PRC investigation.

“These are just my personal views. Once they are able to pinpoint the three questionnaires and who the culprit is—they can stop and learn from there rather than jeopardize the parents and the students. This will also help even the schools,’’ she noted.

Gapuz echoed the sentiments of Ricaforte. “It would be burdensome for the parents to spend anew for tuition and allowances and for the graduates for time they will have to redo,” he said.
Jose Dino, president of the Philippine National Association of School Security Organization, said the students should not be blamed for the errors committed by the PRC officials.

“It’s most unfair for the PRC to order nursing students to repeat the exam out of security lapses on their part. Government authorities like the National Bureau of Investigation must conduct and put to jail the PRC employees responsible,’’ Dino said.

He said that while the CHED has nothing to do with the controversy, it must also investigate higher education officials involved in the leakage.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency also expressed fear that the issue will affect not just Filipino nurses going abroad but other skilled workers in the country.

From: The Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/19/yehey/top_stories/20060719top4.html

What does our history says? : Possible things that might happen after PRC confirmed the 'leakage'

*note - these are just possible scenarios... - jt_21

By : Budek

Never that PRC will let this issue pass without punishing those responsible. Basing on different events in history, We can predict the possible outcome after PRC has confirmed that there was a leakage.

POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

1. There will never be any other investigation from the congress or senate.

- The senate and congress respect PRC's jurisdiction over this case. Since the PRC already confirmed there was a leakage, I don't think there will be anymore investigations other than the possible intervention of the supreme court if requested. The next and last investigation will probably from the NBI and it will be the finale : Investigate, Implicate all those responsible and file charges against these people.

2. The 50 item leaked in baguio , the 100 plus item leaked in manila and other items leaked will not be counted

- Basing on the previous leakage issues, specially the 2001 maritime leakage issue wherein PRC decided not to count the LEAKED test questions, there is a possibility that the leak questions will not be counted.

3. Results will be out, but retake is only for those who passed the examination

- This happened already. PRC released the results of the 2001 maritime examination even after a LEAK has been confirmed. But retake for the practical exam was only given for those who PASSED the theoretical exam. But I think this is unlikely to happen because those who failed will pursue for the court's jurisdiction.

4. Results are NULLED, there will be a re-test

- Possible?.... Why not? I think this is the BEST but not the most practical way in dealing with the issue. This is highly unlikely to happen due to huge budget and time factors necessary to accomplish this task.

5. Barred those who got PHENOMENAL SCORES from the practice

- This already happened. The 11 medical graduates of my university, Our lady of fatima university valenzuela who PERFECT the OB and Biochemistry exam during the february 2003 medical board exams was PROHIBITED TO TAKE OATH AND BARRED BY THE SUPREME COURT TO PRACTICE THE PROFESSION. SC said it is immoral and deceit to cheat in the board exams. I think they petition the SC, I do not know what happened next if they are already allowed to practice but all I know is that they are not anymore allowed to be RANKED in the topnotcher's list after the event in case they are allowed a retake.

6. Re-test only to the nursing practice tests affected

- Highly unlikely, But a re-test for the NP tests affected by the leak question can happen. As what happened to the BAR Exams last 2003, SC extended the examination by one day for the retake of the MERCANTILE LAW exam which was the only exam "LEAKED". Not very similar to the nursing board exam leakage of june 2006, where in multiple questions was leaked from different examinations. If the PRC proves that only NP III and V has the leakage, A retest in this 2 areas of nursing practice is a possibility.

7. Investigation of the NBI will drag another 5, 10 or 15 persons for criminal and administrative charge.

- In the maritime leakage issue of 2003, only one person started the "MESS" but apparently, The NBI concluded that there are more people behind it. The PRC Chair who tried to hide the leakage, the board of examiners of the maritime deck, The owners of the review center who gave out the leakage. All in all, 10 people were charged. The president herself told NBI to make sure that they give a strong evidence in pursuit of justices against people responsible for the leakage.

Out of the traced 2 BON members , I can say it will drag one after another in a domino-like pattern. Remember the officer who told Dean Lacanaria not to divulge the leakage issue? How about, the schools and review centers that will be implicated by this issue? In my opinion, names will come out one by one until most, if not all those responsible are brought to justice. This will give them sleepless nights.

8. all, if not most of the BON members will inhibit

- Everytime there is a leakage issue, MOST if not ALL board members inhibits. Due to pressures from the students, parents, colleges, universities and their conscience. Even those who do not have anything to do with the leakage inhibits. This is a proven fact. It is a culture of the filipino people to hide face in front of shame rather than face it.

9. NBI will BUST the copy centers where this leakage was distributed.

- During the time of Director Wycoco, NBI bust a gang who distributed copy of the questions during the 2004 teachers licensure examination. The copy center gives ALL the questions and answers of the teachers licensure examination for a price of 5,000 pesos. The copy center was owned by a certain review center. NBI sought the owner of the review center.

In summary : I think the possible things that will happen are numbers 1,2,7 and 8. Let's see. I am no madam auring but history has served it's purpose : GUIDE US

Budek
http://www.pinoybsn.tk

UK brings bad news to Pinoy nurses

The United Kingdom enforced stricter measures in hiring foreign nurses, including Filipinos, due to budget constraints and deficits incurred by the country's health service, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau reported Thursday.

According to the report, the UK home office will remove nursing from its "shortage occupation list" starting August 7.

The new rule on hiring foreign nurses was due mainly to the National Health Service's fund shortfall and budget deficits incurred by other hospitals.

The report said the new rule will hit the private sector, particularly those processing work permits and hiring foreign nurses.

The imposition of new rules came following an immigration order in April that extended the residency requirement of foreign nurses from four to five years.

Authorities are also set to implement their new points systems in the next two years. The new migration strategy is to hire only highyly-skilled workers.

Under the new system, new applicants will have to undergo a thorough screening to secure work permits.

Nurses who currently work in hospitals, however, would still find difficulty in renewing or extending their work permits. Some of them are already looking for new prospects in other countries, the report said.

Most Filipino workers in the UK are in the health services sector.

From ABS-CBN News
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=44312

By Vincent Cabreza

Read news on
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryID=44308re

Nursing test scandal sparks Baguio street protests

By Vincent Cabreza
Inquirer
Last updated 00:59am (Mla time) 07/12/2006

Published on Page A16 of the July 12, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

BAGUIO CITY—Nursing students and their parents braved heavy rains on Tuesday to march against a perceived cover-up of alleged cheating during last month’s licensing examinations for nurses here.

About 60 marchers stopped downtown traffic, carrying banners that pose the question: “Are we producing incompetent nurses nowadays?”

Among the marchers were representatives of the 91 nursing school graduates, who asked the Professional Regulation Commission to suspend members of the Board of Nursing until the PRC could determine who leaked the answers to the June 11 and 12 licensing examinations here to a nursing review center.

Mary Grace Lacanaria, chapter president of the Association of Deans of Nursing Schools in the Philippines, said the rally coincided with a PRC notice that a fact-finding team had started looking into their complaints.

But the complainants refused to testify before this body, until the PRC referred the matter to an independent fact-finding group, their lawyer, Cheryl Daytec-Yangot, said.

Yangot said they wanted the PRC to hold a transparent investigation.

Pressure from top officials of the Philippine Nurses Association to suppress the complaints and contain the scandal compelled the nursing students to go to the streets to draw public support, said Lacanaria, the dean of the Saint Louis University’s nursing school.

The PNA wants to avoid jeopardizing negotiations with the American National Council of State Boards of Nursing for a Philippine testing center that will offer migrating nurses the United States National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEx), she said.

The demand for nurses is highest in the United States, but the NCLEx requires additional expenses for migrating nurses.

“But the NCLEx can come later. We must focus on our own [industry],” Lacanaria said.

She said the alleged cheating revealed that the Philippines has been exporting incompetent and unreliable professionals.

Cleaning up the licensing examinations today will keep the nursing industry’s reputation of reliability and efficiency intact, Lacanaria said.

Parents who joined the march are organizing themselves into support groups to help restore their children’s faith in the industry, said Elisa Peralta, mother of one of the complainants.

She said her son graduated with honors and had devoted most of his energies to reviewing for the board exams only to have his faith shattered by the reported cheating.


PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=9305

GAPUZ Reviewee Message

Message from "ako gapuz reviewee"

ako nagreview sa gapuz, eh la nman ako nkuha leakage, gapuz manila ako, ung cnasabi nyong closed door nmin eh live via sattelite kme sa cebu at davao gapuz, may guest kme na former bon at c mam zenaida ng league (chn buk), wla cla naitulong, may maddigest kpb eh hrs frm d exam nlng.

ung iba nman binigay daw ung leakage sa 7 day final coaching, hnd nman ako umabsent kse 7k+ ung fee nun pero la nman ako nkuha leakage.true naghhhntay kme leakage but 2 our demise la nman. maraming cbq na lumabas sa nle na na-take up nmin from his exms, buks, ksama na ung bagong 2 tips na buk, un naka2long tlga un, if leakage un eh bkt pinublish? ska tpos may pina handwritten sya na wla nmang kwenta, may mga filipino theorist pang ewan. u

ng naka2long tlga ung past books esp ung psych. cnsb nla mabilis dw kme sumagot, hnd nman lht, exact 1 hr ko tinake np1, ung np2 madali lng cguro 40min, ung wla pang 1hr kse la na ko masagot, ung np4 hirap dn, ung last madali lng kse dami nmin exm 2ngkol jan. ska 45 min lng binibigay smin evry 90-100 item exam.

sanay na kme. biruin mo 5-7 100 items a day. 2log na nga lng ako pag uwi ko eh. sna nga lng pumasa ako, ultimately kung pwd lng lahat na tyo. wla nman ako npancing kakaiba kse after taking d exams nireview ko lhat ng bullets, may lumabas nga pero thats cbq's.

iv heard may naglabas ng so called leakage sa may sm cinema, nirent daw ng isang rvw ctr. nkta nung frend ko ung papers, sagot nlng daw ang inanouce, ewn ko kung 220. nga pla pinabalik kme sa adriatico ofc after d 1st day, nye la nman d kwenta, funda un eh, madali na un. may tanong nga lng ako, bkit hnd nmin ksabay baguio mag closed door? kelan cla nag closed door? kse kme nung june 10, cla kelan? alanganamang hnd cla nag closed door... bkt kya? hmmm.

Comment (Another Gapuz Reviewee)
1 comment

ako din gapuz manila nagreview together with 2 of my friends and 2 more classmates from other section ng school namin.But yung school namin nakatie up sa baguio.Well, pareho lang tayo hindi nabigyan ng leakage kasi yung classrep lang namin nabigyan ng leakage..nagkataon ung classrep from other section namin lived in a different dormitory here in manila and she got hold of that 16pages emergency materials- so called leakages but did'nt share it with us...nalaman lang namin about it during the first day of the board exam na mismo seatmate pa namin may hawak nung gapuz 16pages materials and take note yung seatmate namin na un eh sa pentagon nagrereview. Kaya shocked kami na buti pa yung taga pentagon ay may hawak na gapuz 16pages materials samantalang kami taga gapuz ay wala grabe ha!!! unfair lang talaga pero wala kami magawa. We just believed in ourselves na makakapasa kami kahit wla leakage and may God give strenght to those who is in pursuit of justice...

Posted by Anonymous | 10:10 PM

"Emergency Drill"

“Emergency Drill”

Last week, I attended a press conference in the Philippine Nurses Association Cordillera Administrative Region (PNA-CAR) regarding the controversial “leakage” also called the “emergency drill” allegedly passed around to nursing reviewers of the RA Gapuz review center the night before the board examination day. The leakage was said to have contained two hundred (200) items of questions with the right answers out of five hundred (500) overall questions ensuring the beneficiaries a forty (40) percent probability that they would automatically get the correct answers, assuming they really cheated. It was believed that 2,800 copies were distributed and each copy costs two thousand five hundred pesos (P2, 500). The only evidence as of the time being were the copies held from the RA Gapuz reviewers. It was also noted that out of the forty six thousand (46, 000) examinees, six thousand (6,000) of them took the exam in Baguio but these examinees came from different parts of the region.

The press conference was organized by concerned examinees in coordination with the Philippine Nurses Association to shed light about the matter and urge the public and the media to support their “fight for the integrity of the nursing profession.” The association also reported some developments as four hundred twenty five (425) nurses signed the motion for reconsideration in support for the complaint earlier filed by ninety one (91) concerned nursing examinees.

Association of the Deans of the Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN) President Grace Lacanaria said that “their involvement in the leakage has something to do with the associations interest in protecting the nursing profession and as a moral responsibility because cheating is something they cannot condone.” Also present in the press conference were Atty. Sheryl Yangot, the legal council representing the nursing examinees, Noreen Dawayen, the President of the PNA, Inc. CAR, Bernon Peralta, the nursing student representative, their colleagues and the press people.

Basing from the press conference and through the investigation of Atty. Yangot, Dean Lacanaria and company, it turns out that the RA Gapuz Review center is just a small fish in the issue and the recipients of the “emergency drill” are just victims of the rampant “culture of cheating” in the Philippines. There was no other way the leakage would have propagated had it not been for the carelessness of the people who prepared the questions themselves. Atty. Yangot and Dean Lacanaria got hold of a copy of the actual questions in the last nursing board exam when supposedly everything was directed to the shredded machine right after the exam. An unknown, concerned person left the former in theHamada building, outside the office of Atty. Yangot, and the latter left to the guard of the Saint Louis University where Dean Lacanaria is teaching. This happened last June 29, 2006, the day before the press conference.

In addition, Atty. Yangot and company also requested the Professional Regulator Commission (PRC) to create an independent fact finding body that will look into the matter, for the PRC to hold the release of the examination’s result, to be strict in implementing the guidelines for the exam and to act with haste about the matter.

I wrote this story because I was reminded that anytime this week it was scheduled by PRC to release the results of last June 2006 nursing board exam. What would happen to the safety of the public assuming there were undeserved students who passed the board exam? How about the tainted reputation of the nursing profession and even the deteriorating integrity of the PRC? And who was to be blamed? Was it the six Board of Nursing (BOR) members purportedly in charge with coping out the guidelines and had it not for their negligence the review material would not have come out? Was it the government to be blamed for the salary standardization program not being able to suffice the needs of the employees that they have to resort to cheating? Were the students corrupted by this culture partly to be blamed?

This is not a mere coincidence. This is not an issue of recklessness and poverty. This is not even about whose to be blamed. This is a long, lost vicious cycle rooted from a bloated bureaucracy and a pre-spanish “culture of corruption through cheating,” After all, was not the President herself guilty of the same misdeed? Nah! I think that’s but another story.

posted by valerieblue at 7:27 PM

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http://valerieblue-thescribbler.blogspot.com