APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse)
Nurses with advanced education and clinical training, often holding a master's or doctoral degree. APRNs have an expanded scope of practice, including roles such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
Agency
A healthcare staffing agency or recruitment firm that matches healthcare facilities with qualified nurses. Agencies help international nurses find job placements in the US.
ATT (Authorization to Test for the NCLEX)
Authorization provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), allowing candidates to schedule and take the NCLEX exam.
BON (Board of Nursing)
State-level regulatory body overseeing nursing practice and licensure within a specific state.
CES Report (Credentials Evaluation Service Report)
Provided by TruMerit (formerly CGFNS), evaluates the educational credentials of internationally educated nurses against US standards, necessary for nursing licensure. Note that not every credential-evaluation service is accepted by nursing boards for licensure — boards generally require a nursing-specific evaluator (TruMerit/CGFNS, Josef Silny, ERES, IERF), and generic evaluators such as WES are often not accepted for RN licensure.
TruMerit (formerly CGFNS — Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools)
Organization providing services related to the evaluation of foreign nursing education and credentials, crucial in the licensure process for IENs in the US. Website | Phone: 215-222-8454
Compact State
States that are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing nurses to practice in multiple states without obtaining additional licenses.
DS-260 (Online Immigrant Visa Application)
Online form required for processing an immigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate abroad, essential for IENs applying for an EB-3 visa.
EB-2 Visa
Employment-based preference visa category for professionals holding advanced degrees or with exceptional ability.
EB-3 Visa
Employment-based third preference visa category for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, including IENs.
ERES (Education Records Evaluation Service)
Provides evaluations of international education credentials for individuals seeking to meet the United States education requirements. Website | Phone: 707-759-2866
FEN (Foreign Educated Nurse)
Nurses who completed their nursing education outside the US.
FIS (Foundation for International Services, Inc)
Offers credential evaluation services for individuals pursuing education or employment in the United States Website | Phone: 425-248-2255
Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status)
Used by applicants to apply for lawful permanent resident status or adjust their status within the US.
H1-B Visa
Non-immigrant visa allowing US employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise
I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
Form filed by U.S. employers with USCIS to petition for a foreign worker to become a permanent resident under the EB-3 category
I-551 (Permanent Resident Card or Green Card)
Document serving as proof of lawful permanent resident status in the US.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
English language proficiency test required for some IENs as part of the licensure process.
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
A firm that provides foreign credential evaluation and translation services. Website | Phone: 305-273-1616
Labor Certification
Certification by the US Department of Labor (DOL) that a position cannot be filled by a US worker. 'Schedule A' occupations like nursing are exempt due to recognized shortages.
L-1 visa
Non-immigrant visa for intracompany transferees with managerial roles or specialized knowledge, including in healthcare organizations.
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
Non-citizen authorized to live and work permanently in the US.
NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination)
Standardized exam assessing the competency of nurses seeking licensure in the US.
NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing)
Organization responsible for developing and administering the NCLEX.
Pearson VUE
Company administering computer-based licensure exams, including the NCLEX.
Resident Alien Card
Older term for the Permanent Resident Card, proof of lawful permanent resident status in the US.
RN (Registered Nurse)
Licensed healthcare professional who has completed necessary education and passed the NCLEX
Schedule A
Classification for occupations with recognized shortages of qualified US workers, expediting the labor certification process for IENs.
Social Security Number (SSN)
Unique identification number issued by the US government, often required for employment and official purposes.
SpanTran
Provides credential evaluation services for individuals pursuing education or employment in the United States Website | Phone: 646-475-2570
TN Visa
Visa under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) for Canadian and Mexican nurses, offering streamlined cross-border employment opportunities.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
English language proficiency test that some IENs may be required to take as part of the licensure process.
United States Department of Labor
Federal department involved in the labor certification process for foreign workers.
USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services)
Government agency overseeing lawful immigration to the United States, responsible for processing visa petitions and applications.
Visa Lottery Caps
Annual numerical limits placed on certain visas, including the H-1B visa, with a selection process for eligible applicants.
WES (World Education Services)
Provides credential evaluations for international students and immigrants planning to study or work in the United States. Note that WES is a general credential evaluator and is often not accepted by nursing boards for RN licensure — boards generally require a nursing-specific evaluator such as TruMerit/CGFNS, Josef Silny, ERES or IERF. Website | Phone: 212-966-6311
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