1. 1 Healthcare Share Conference Dennis Graham Dean, Science and Health Careers Oakton Community College April 7, 2006 dgraham@oakton.edu

2. 2 International Nursing In The Beginning –Resurrection Health Care Request Fall 2004 –Polish Nurses Association 200 Members in Chicago Area 52 foreign nursing school graduates with Resurrection –Many work in position of Environmental Services or as CNA 90% ID as needing ESL –Resurrection Viewed this as a source to help fill present and future RN shortages at their institutions

3. 3 Implementation How do Internationally Educated Nurses get an RN license? CGFNS Certification – Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools –Eligibility Review of Credentials –English Language Proficiency Exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL))

4. 4 Implementation Advantages of CGFNS –Get temporary visa to work –80% of states require internationally educated nurse to have CGFNS Certificate before taking the NCLEX-RN exam (Illinois only requires credential review) –Those that pass CGFNS Qualifying Exam usually past NCLEX-RN exam (Illinois does not require this)

5. 5 The Challenge 52 needed English proficiency education Most are primary and/or only income earner for family Majority work 40+ hours/week Non-traditional schedule for coursework is required

6. 6 Meeting the Challenge English proficiency education was provided Assessment by CGFNS provided specific areas that needed to be completed by student before taking NCLEX exam Areas needed both didactic and clinical experience –General Refresher –Psychology –Maternity Modify Oaktons curriculum to meet the need for evening and weekend delivery

7. 7 Resources Employer Support –Resurrection Healthcare covered tuition and fees fully for employees and one half cost for non-employee successful students –Oakton had to modify curriculum from 9 week daytime program to 18 week evening and weekend program (Assistance from the ICCB Bridge Grant)

8. 8 Offerings Oakton offered the first courses Spring 05 –Nurse Practice Review offered 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for 18 weeks – clinical held on Saturday 15 students enrolled/12 students completed –ADN Psychology Nursing Course 9 students enrolled/7 students completed Students had difficultly because of no orientation

9. 9 Evaluation Student evaluations indicated a need for more targeted courses

10. 10 Next Steps One course revised and three new courses developed – Revised for RNs that want to renew their license and have not practiced for five years (NUR 261) –Developed a course for ADN graduates that have failed or are preparing for the NCLEX- RN and need further education (NUR 262)

11. 11 Next Steps – cont. Developed a course for foreign nursing school graduates seeking to fulfill the requirements needed to sit for the NCLEX- RN (NUR 263) Developed and offered a course to anyone with ADN or foreign degree. This course provides a laboratory experience on current nursing skills (NUR 264).

12. 12 International - Successes Spring 05 –Three courses with 32 students enrolled NUR261 15 students Regular NUR105 9 students Foreign Educated Nurses only – NUR105 8 students Fall 05 –One course with 13 students enrolled NUR263 13 students

13. 13 International - Successes Spring 06 –Two courses with at total of 29 students NUR263 17 students enrolled NUR264 12 students enrolled

14. 14 The Future Reading Comprehension continues to be a challenge for some students Require a Degree of Reading Power (DRP) score of 47 Small group tutoring available for those below 47 on the DRP

15. 15 The Future Expansion limited by: –Lack personnel needed to advise, schedule, coordinate these courses –Student financial assistance Foreign educated nurses will continue to be in demand