UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE GLOBAL NURSING REVIEW PROGRAM
2008 – 2009
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Extension Consortium for Global Partnerships UC Davis
•
UC Irvine
•
UC Los Angeles
www.iep.ucr.edu •
UC Riverside
WELCOME The University of California Extension Consortium for Global Partnerships The University of California Consortium for Global Partnerships (UCCGP) is made up of four UC campuses: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles and UC Riverside. UCR’s Global Nursing Review Program is intended to be a model for other members of the Consortium.
The Global Nursing Review Program (GNRP) will be held on the UC Riverside campus the first year. Beginning the second year, the GNRP may be held at other campuses of the UCCGP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview
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Requirements
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First Quarter
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Second Quarter
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Third Quarter
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Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh Quarters
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After Program
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Application Procedures
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General Information
University of California, Riverside International Education Programs Part of the University of California system, UC Riverside campus is conveniently located approximately 50 miles east of Los Angeles and within easy driving distance to most of the major cultural and recreational offerings in Southern California. Its International Education Programs (IEP) division offers a wide variety of English language and professional training programs.
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COPE Health Solutions This program is offered in cooperation with COPE Health Solutions. COPE works closely with hospitals and health systems to develop customized strategies for the development of a diverse and sustainable health care workforce that is both technically competent and culturally sensitive to the specific needs of the surrounding communities.
GLOBAL NURSING REVIEW PROGRAM Overview
Could you describe the program?
The Global Nursing Review Program (GNRP) is offered by International Education Programs at the University of California, Riverside, one of the largest and most reputable programs of its kind in the United States, in cooperation with COPE Health Solutions (COPE), one of the nation’s premier nonprofit health care organizations.
Yes. The program consists of three 10-week quarters of academic study and four quarters of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in a healthcare setting. The academic study consists of 596 in-class instruction hours and 338 independent lab hours, for a total of 934. In addition, there are approximately 80 hours of volunteer work in a healthcare setting in quarters two and three. OPT is usually up to 40 hours per week.
GNRP combines and enhances programs the University of California Extension, Riverside, and COPE Health Solutions have been doing for many years. UCR Extension has over 32 years’ experience working with international students and professionals and many years doing courses for Registered Nurses (RNs).
Is this different from other NCLEX review programs?
COPE has over 10 years’ experience developing and replicating proven, sustainable solutions to the health workforce.
Who should attend? This program is designed for those who are licensed nurses in their own countries and would like to know more about western medical theory and practice.
Yes, very different. Other programs help students pass the NCLEX, which is only the first step toward being a successful nurse in a Western healthcare setting. Among other traits, a successful nurse should be able to communicate well with medical personnel and patients, should have practical experience in a Western healthcare setting, should have a mentor to go to with questions and concerns while on the job. Passing the NCLEX exam alone is not enough to ensure success.
What will be some of the specific benefits I will get if I enroll in the program?
What is GNRP?
The program is designed to help you do the following:
The program is a combination of NCLEX review, cultural communications and experience in an American healthcare setting.
• Develop a clear understanding of the philosophy and practice of nursing in the U.S. • Prepare for the NCLEX-RN Examination
What is NCLEX-RN?
• Develop an extensive working vocabulary of medical terminology
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure ExaminationRegistered Nurse) is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) of entrylevel nursing competence.
• Develop communications skills in English
Passing the exam is required of candidates for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) by all US state and territorial Boards of Nursing.
• Improve employment possibilities in your own or other countries
• Be able to analyze concepts, processes and skills essential to the nursing profession in the U.S.
• Experience working in a U.S. hospital or clinic with ongoing feedback from a mentor • Help your organization achieve the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS How long is the program?
What are the professional requirements?
The program is 21 months long, nine months of classroom study and 12 months of on-the-job training. The academic year at UCR is divided into three quarters, with each quarter being 10 weeks long. The entire program is seven quarters long.
• You must be a licensed nurse in your home country.
Must I meet any requirements before I am admitted to the program?
• Your nursing studies in your home country must fulfill California State nursing requirements. • You must undergo a background check to prove that there are no prior convictions or disciplinary actions against you or your license in your home country.* • Applicants must take the Nursing Knowledge Entrance Exam in their own country and score at least 55%. (Any nurse that has already passed the NCLEX-RN exam for the USA will be exempt from this test). You will be given information on how to take this exam once you apply to GNRP.
Yes, you must meet professional requirements, language requirements and health requirements.
A comprehensive Nursing Knowledge Entrance Exam will
• You should preferably have one to two years’ nursing experience in your home country.
be used as part of your eligibility process. This 3-hour online exam consists of 180 multiple choice questions
What are the language requirements?
based on previous nursing knowledge and experience with
You must have one of the following:
the following content areas: Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics,
• TOEFL score of 523 (paper) or 193 (computer)
Medical-Surgical, Nursing Leadership Related to
• TOEIC score of 700
Assessments, Prioritizing Care and Delegation to others,
• IELTS score of 5.5
Pharmacology, Medication Calculations and Infection
• MPT score of 95 and TSE score of 45
Control. Additional exams will be available at the end of
• Successful completion of level 600 in UCR’s Intensive English Program and TSE score of 45.
each quarter for a progressive and personalized study plan,
What are the health requirements?
and as a predictor for the final NCLEX-RN examination
• You must be in good health with no communicable diseases.*
(fees may apply).
• You must undergo a health examination in the U.S.*
*Required by hospitals and California Board of Registered Nursing http://www.rn.ca.gov/
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COURSE DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW – FIRST QUARTER Diagnosis, Intervention and Documentation Strategies, Part I: An interactive course designed to help students practice authentic nursing situations and use nursing terminology in context through role plays, presentations, and discussion and analysis of reading materials. (60 hours) NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation, Part I: A three-quarter course designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN examination. The course will include an explanation of the test structure and framework, test-taking strategies, an intensive review of essential topic areas, practice tests and analyses, and a final comprehensive simulated NCLEX-RN test. (60 hours) Nursing Culture in the US: A discussion-based seminar designed to provide students with a framework to better understand the philosophy of the nursing profession in the US and the cultural expectations in the American nursing community. (40 hours) Medical Terminology and Pronunciation, Part I: A two-quarter course designed to provide students with a comprehensive review of medical terminology and pronunciation. One of the primary approaches of this review is the analysis of word parts, i.e., affixes and roots. Students will cover key vocabulary categorized into body systems. A CD-ROM accompanies the course text for pronunciation modeling, which will be done in the CALL lab. (40 hours) Computer-assisted Practice in Nursing Applications (CAPNA) Lab, I: The CAPNA portion of the curriculum is an important component that reinforces course work. Each class has specific CAPNA lab assignments, and students will fill out lab progress reports each week. (100 hours)
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And also in the first quarter. . . • Application to BRN
If you haven’t already applied in your home country, you should apply to the Board of Registered Nursing http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml so that you are eligible to take the NCLEX examination in the 3rd quarter. Please read Board requirements carefully (especially sections for foreign applicants, page 14 and following) so that you fulfill all requirements such as fingerprinting, TOEFL exam, etc.
Quarter Break/Vacation Between each quarter, there is a quarter break. The break time can vary from one week to one month, depending on the program and the time of year.
COURSE DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW – SECOND QUARTER Fundamentals in Nursing Through Virtual Clinical Excursions: A computer-assisted course that reviews the fundamental skills in nursing by navigating through a virtual clinic where students encounter a variety of realistic situations that occur in a clinical context. In this virtual environment, students work on refining key nursing skills such as communication, documentation, assessment and critical thinking. Students have the opportunity to discuss and review concepts, processes and skills that are relevant to the American nursing community. (60 hours) Diagnosis, Intervention and Documentation Strategies, Part II: A course designed to enable students to present their knowledge of the nursing field in peer-lead discussions and role-plays. The presentation format is a tool to stimulate discussion and foster an interactive learning environment. (40 hours) NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation, Part II: See description under “First Quarter.” (60 hours)
Internship in a Healthcare Setting, Part I (40 hours): Students acquire working experience as unpaid interns in a healthcare facility as they become members of the patient care team, provide immediate support to current staff, and create a local and culturally diverse cadre of future OPT employees. Interns become familiar with workplace duties and responsibilities of RNs in a US healthcare setting and learn how to document, follow orders, develop critical thinking skills and effectively interact within the culture of a U.S. healthcare setting. At the same time, they contribute to the cultural and linguistic diversity of hospitals and healthcare systems. In order to become interns, students must participate in a 24-hour training program and pass a test in the training before they will be granted an internship.
And also in the second quarter. . . • If student has not received a TOEFL score of 550 pBT / 79 iBT, he/she should retake it.
Medical Terminology and Pronunciation, Part II: See description under “First Quarter.” (40 hours) Computer-assisted Practice in Nursing Applications (CAPNA) Lab, Part II: See description under “First Quarter.” (100 hours) Nursing Simulation Lab, Part I (25 hours): Simulation Labs help the students by closely reproducing the patient experience with high-tech mannequins that mimic life-like medical scenarios. The Nursing Simulation Lab provides a safe learning environment for students to practice critical thinking and decision-making via simulations, and students have the opportunity to learn and enhance their skills through the use of clinical case scenarios.
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• Schedule to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
COURSE DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW – THIRD QUARTER Introduction to the US Healthcare System: This course helps students to identify contemporary health and health policy issues in the United States. Issues such as the uninsured, quality and costs of care, health status disparities, public health concerns, matters of equity in the U.S. health care system and specific health issues are discussed in depth. Students will learn about major health professions and occupations and major education pathways. They will explore the practice and professional culture between medicine, nursing and other providers and understand the organization of professional services, licensure and work hierarchies. (46 hours: 32 hours lecture, 14 hours lab) Communication for Health Care Professionals: Students learn to communicate effectively and practice contextual situations using anatomical and disease process terms. Use of appropriate language and an understanding of suitable cultural behavior in communicating with health care providers and patients. Learning and practicing assertiveness skills to give and get proper information. Examination of how cultural diversity (nationality, age and gender) in the medical environment can affect communication. Responding appropriately to patient verbal and non-verbal body language. (88 hours: 64 hours lecture, 24 hours lab) NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation, Part III: See description under “First Quarter.” (150 hours: 100 hours lecture, 50 hours lab) Nursing Simulation Lab, Part II: See description under “Second Quarter.” (25 hours) Internship in a Healthcare Setting, Part II: See description under “Second Quarter.” (40 hours)
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AFTER THE THIRD QUARTER Students will also take the NCLEX-RN exam and should receive results within two to four weeks. Students should have a TOEFL score of 550 pBT / 79 iBT. What happens if I do not pass the NCLEX-RN? If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN, you will not be placed in a hospital. You may retake the NCLEX-RN within a month. At the end of the third quarter, you are eligible to take a vacation for
one quarter; you may prepare for the NCLEX-RN at this time. Or, if you like, you may enroll in GNRP for one additional quarter. For fees on one-quarter repeat enrollment, please consult IEP Student Services.
FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH AND SEVENTH QUARTERS Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Online Mentoring During OPT
Upon successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam and successful fulfillments of all other language and California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requirements, students will be placed in a hospital or clinic for Optional Practical Training.
You will be assigned an online mentor when you begin practical training. Your mentor will communicate with your hospital or healthcare setting, your supervisor and you on a weekly basis. Your mentor will always be available to you for advice and to help you solve problems or to answer your questions.
Will I have to find my own job when I do OPT? No. You will be placed in a hospital or clinic according to your interests, skills and languages spoken. Do I need a special visa for OPT? Yes, you do, and UCR will help you with that process. How long is OPT? Your placement will be for up to one year (12 months). Is OPT different from my volunteer internship? Yes, very different. You will be working as an RN. Will I get paid for OPT? Yes. Your salary will be commensurate with salaries paid to California nurses with similar education and experience. How much will I earn? Full-time RNs working in a hospital or healthcare setting usually earn $40,000 and up, per year. They also receive other benefits (such as health and vacation benefits) as well.
AT THE END OF THE SEVENTH QUARTER At the end of the seventh quarter, students who have successfully completed the program will graduate and receive their certificates.
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AFTER THE PROGRAM What if I wish to continue working in an American hospital after my one year of OPT? Can my OPT be renewed? No, it cannot. If you wish to continue to stay in the U.S., you need to follow immigration requirements and obtain a work visa. Sometimes an employer will assist you in the process, and sometimes you should hire a lawyer. It is not advisable to do it yourself. What is the CGNFS Visa Screen? If you wish to work in the U.S. as a nurse, after OPT, you must apply for a work visa. Part of this process is completion of the CGNFS Visa Screen. You must submit your documents to the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFSA). The Visa Screen process includes the following: • An assessment of an applicant’s education to ensure that it is comparable to that of a U.S. graduate in the same profession • Verification that all professional healthcare licenses that the applicant ever held are valid and unencumbered • English language proficiency (TOEFL iBT) • Verification that the nurse has passed the NCLEX-RN examination Applicants who successfully complete VisaScreen® receive a CGFNS/ICHP VisaScreen® Certificate, which satisfies all Federal screening requirements. The CGFNS/ICHP VisaScreen® Certificate can be presented at a consular office or, in the case of adjustment of status, to the Attorney General as part of the visa application process. The Certificate must be received before the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will issue an occupational visa or Trade NAFTA status to applicants to work as a professional in their respective fields in the United States. Application to CGFNS does not guarantee a job or a work visa. (This information can be found on http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/)
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Is the Visa Screen different from the CGNFS exam? Yes, it is different. You do not need to take the CGNFS exam since the California Board of Registered Nursing does not require applicants to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination in order to be licensed in California.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE How do I apply for the program? The application process has many steps and each is important, so please take care with your application.
GNRP Application Checklist ✓ Professional:
1. Go to our website www.iep.ucr.edu/Nurse_Program.html. On the upper right of the page are two applications you can download. One is the program application (4 pages) and the other is the application for an I-20 (1 page). You should fill out and submit BOTH of these. The program application is very detailed. It is based on the application you will need to file with the California Board of Registered Nurses http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml.
❑ Global Nursing Review Program 5-page application (available at http://www.iep.ucr.edu/Nurse_Program.html
❑ A copy of nursing license or diploma ❑ Nursing Knowledge Entrance Exam score of at least 55%
2. Submit a copy of each of the following, along with your application fee:
❑ Copy of nursing school transcripts in
• Your transcripts and course descriptions in English.
English
In order to conduct a complete assessment, we need course descriptions, hours and/or units for each course in the program.
❑ Full course descriptions from nursing school catalog (in English)
❑ *Copies of any certificates for midwifery or psychiatric nursing, if any
We are specifically looking for the content and hours/units contained in Fundamentals or Basic Nursing, Medical–Surgical Nursing (all of the courses in this category), Pediatrics/Nursing of Children, Maternal Nursing and Women’s Health Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing and Geriatrics/Gerontological Nursing/Care of the Aged. If yours is an integrated curriculum, we need to know the number of hours of theory and clinical devoted to this content.
❑ *Document stating years of nursing experience in your home country
Language: (Check (√) the one submitted.)
❑ TOEFL score of 523 (pBT), 193 (cBT) or 69 (iBT)
❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
TOEIC score of 700 IELTS score of 5.5
• Your language test scores
MPT score of 95 and TSE score of 45
• Your Nursing Knowledge Entrance Exam score
Successful completion of level 600 in UCR’s Intensive English Program and TSE score of 45.
Health:
❑ *Statement from a doctor that student is in good health with no communicable diseases.
For I-20 (student visa):
❑ Completed 1-page application for I20/Global Nursing Review Program (included in 5-page GNRP app. above)
❑ Payment of application fee of $90 ($150
• Statement from a doctor that you are in good health with no communicable diseases 3. UCR will do a preliminary, non-binding review of your transcripts. Only the California Board of Registered Nursing can do an official review of your transcripts. Since you will need to have the BRN review your transcripts eventually and since the process takes several months, you should begin the process in your home country since you must be in touch with your schools. To do so, go to http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml. 4. After the application process is completed and your application has been favorably reviewed by UCR, you will receive an I-20 for the program.
beginning in January 2009)
❑ Copy of I.D. page of passport ❑ Financial guarantee for $28,900 for a single person with no dependents
Other:
❑ *NCLEX-RN approval letter ❑ *2” x 2” passport-type photograph *Not required for I-20
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GENERAL INFORMATION Starting Dates June 19, 2008 September 25, 2008 January 8, 2009
Fees The total cost for the 3-quarter Global Nursing Review Program is $19,400 and covers the following:
March 25, 2009 June 18, 2009 September 24, 2009
• Assistance in understanding the requirements of the California State Board of Registered Nurses (CSBRN) including the accurate filling-out of all documents, required procedures and tests.
Application Deadline Application deadline is no later than two months before the starting date of the program in order to give UCR time to review applications.
• Tuition for 3 quarters
Location Classes are held in the UC Riverside Extension Center. Some courses will also be held in computer or Nursing Simulation laboratories.
• All instructional materials and texts • Placement as a volunteer in healthcare settings during 2nd and 3rd quarters
Certificate Upon successful completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded from the University of California, Riverside, Extension.
• Health and accident insurance for 9 months • Airport transfer LAX-Riverside
Housing Assistance IEP’s own housing office provides housing arrangements throughout the year with the following options.
• Placement in Optional Practical Training hospital for 1 year at U.S. salaries • Follow-up on-line mentoring during 1-year OPT
• On-campus International Residence Center (IRC): Furnished and airconditioned hotel styled rooms
It does not include: •
Application and housing placement fees
• On-campus International Village (IV): Furnished and air-conditioned apartments
• Miscellaneous nursing, USCIS and language test fees (see Web site for list)
• American Family Homestay: Family hosted housing
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Housing
Please see fees at www.iep.ucr.edu
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Meals
Immigration Assistance
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International or daily domestic travel
IEP offers immigration assistance for F-1 student visas and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Nursing content class fees needed because of deficiency in nurse's curriculum
English Language Programs IEP has one of the largest English language programs in the U.S. Please check our website for information about programs offered.
Visas Participants accepted for study need an I-20 form (Certificate of Student Eligibility) so that they may obtain a student visa (F-1) at the nearest United States Consulate.
Payments and Refund Policy All program fees must be paid on or before Registration Day. Fees can be paid with cashiers check/money order made payable to “UC Regents,” cash, travelers’ checks or with VISA or MasterCard.
Although the IEP office processes I-20 applications within five working days from the date received, it may take up to several weeks for students to receive the I-20 through regular mail, depending on the destination. Please send your application for I-20 well in advance to ensure proper time to process your visa.
Full tuition can only be refunded upon receipt of the following before classes begin: a written request for withdrawal from the program and the original I-20 issued by UCR Extension, if applicable. No refunds will be granted after the program begins.
If you send your application for an I-20 within 30 days or less from the beginning of your program, your I-20 will be sent by express mail service and you will be responsible for the fee.
Please visit our web site at: http://www.iep.ucr.edu Application form is online. Or contact the IEP office at: International Education Programs University of California, Riverside 1200 University Avenue Riverside, CA 92507-4596 USA Tel: (1-951) 827-4346 Fax: (1-951) 827-1074 E-mail: GNRP@ucx.ucr.edu
International Residence Center
www.iep.ucr.edu
Courses, dates, fees and other expenses are subject to change without notice.
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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE GLOBAL NURSING REVIEW PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Extension Consortium for Global Partnerships UC Davis • UC Irvine UC Los Angeles • UC Riverside
UC Davis
UC Los Angeles
UC Riverside UC Irvine
For more information International Education Programs University Extension University of California, Riverside 1200 University Ave. Riverside, CA 92507-4596 USA Telephone: (1-951) 827-4346 Fax: (1-951) 827-1074 E-mail: GNRP@ucx.ucr.edu
www.iep.ucr.edu