I support the petition for rule-making to amend the regulation to change the requirement for an applicant from another country to use the  designation of "foreign graduate nurse" to the designation of "RN Applicant"on nametags or when signing official records.

Internationally educated nurses(IENs) who practice nursing as provided under this regulation had completed rigorous screening to provide evidence from the CGFNS that their secondary education and nursing education is comparable to those required for registered nurses in the commonwealth. There is no justifications for internationally educated nurses to use a different designation from other candidates. The continued use of foreign graduate nurse can unnecessarily expose the nurse applicant to undue discriminatory treatment and practice which can negatively impact not only the IEN's physical and psychological well being but the quality of patient care and  healthcare organizational cost.

I am a Bachelor of Arts in Economics graduate from Saint Louis University, Baguio City, Philippines and graduated BSN at Hampton University. I currently work as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth VA.

I was stunned when I read the VBON Regulations (updated 2017). We failed to familiarized with the current nursing regulations and failed to act accordingly. 

Filed a petition for rule making to amend regulation 18 VAC 90-19-130 Section D1 because the word foreign graduate nurse in name tags while waiting for NCLEX exam  is discriminatory.
it is condescending to be labeled and identified as foreign graduate nurses while under training. 
Nurses graduated from the Philippines had a very extensive training based on theories and  clinical expertise. All qualifications meets the standards, competence validated  prior to NCLEX exam. 
Drop  the foreign graduate nurse and use RN Applicant  in name tags please.

I support the petition to amend the requirement for international nurses to use the designation of  "RN applicant" instead of "Foreign Graduate Nurse." 

There is no justification for internationally educated nurses to use a different designation from other candidates that are waiting to take their NCLEX exam.  I fear the use of "Foreign Graduate Nurse" will subject the nurse to undue discriminatory treatment and practices which can negatively impact the physical and psychological well-being of the Rn-applicant.  

Any consideration given is highly appreciated.  

Joanna Pascua-Colasito RN, BSN, CCRN

Applicants who practice nursing shall use designation  "RN applicant on nametag or when signing official record.

I am not a nurse but I support the PNAVA in its efforts. None of the "Foreign Nurse Grad" label. Thankful that I was not designated "Foreign Teacher Grad" when I was hired as a math & physics educator here in VA.

Using name tags of foreign graduate nurse is prejudicial and discriminatory please use RN Applicant instead. Thank you.

I support this petition to amend the regulation 18VAC90-19-130 Section D1 in using the designation foreign graduate nurse on name tags or when signing official records from the date of an approval when working as a non supervisory staff nurse in a licensed nursing home or certified nursing facility and replace this with RN applicant. First, the foreign educated nurse (FEN) has rightfully earned the title RN upon passing the board exam from her/his country of origin. Second, the FEN undergoes a pre-visa screening by CGFNS who officially screens the RNs credentials prior to admission and employment in the US. The designation of Foreign Graduate Nurse instead of RN applicant creates a layer of differentiation that is unnecessary where they should already be in equal footing with their colleagues and have the general public's trust and confidence in their professional skills and competency as a registered nurse from day 1.

I am a retired physician with both private and USAF experience.  I have been a medical director of medical centers and commanded USAF hospitals.  I have had a great experience with all kinds of medical personnel.  I feel strongly that once the US qualifications have been met for both training and licensure that to required "foreign" in a title is absolutely derogatory in many ways.  I have seen many better "foreign-trained" nurses than many trained in the US.  Just when the US is trying to be seen as non-discriminatory in race, age, gender and sex we do not need another category of "foreign".

I support the petition for rule-making to amend regulation 18VAC90-19-130 Section D1 to change the requirement for an applicant from another country to use the designation of “foreign graduate nurse” to the designation of “RN Applicant on nametags or when signing official records.

Internationally educated nurses(IENs) who practice nursing as provided in this regulation had completed rigorous screening to provide evidence from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools(CGFNS) that their secondary education and nursing education are comparable to those required for registered nurses in the Commonwealth. There is no justification for internationally educated nurses to use a different designation from other candidates.

The continued use of the term foreign graduate nurse can expose the nurse applicant to undue discriminatory treatment and practice. Consequences of workplace discrimination affect not only the IENs’ physical and psychological well being but also the quality of patient care, and healthcare organizational costs. With the current problem with nursing shortage, minimizing workplace discrimination will not only benefit nurses, but also patients, and healthcare organizations.

I have been practicing as RN in US for almost 30 years now and  I have been more than proud to carry my title in my badge as well as signing official documents. Thus, requiring to change the foreign name label will give a negative impact to the new applicants as well as to people around. This will just create an unhealthy prejudicial distinction in the workplace.

I have been practicing as RN in US for almost 30 years now and I have been more than proud to carry my title in my badge as well as signing documents . Thus requiring to change the foreign name label will give a negative impact to the new applicant as well as to people around. This will just create an unhealthy prejudicial distinction in the workplace.

It is absolutely wrong to use the designation as "foreign graduate nurse" on name tags and when signing official medical records. It is discriminatory.

Nurses who came from different countries would not be able to pass NCLEX and practice nursing in the U.S. if they did not meet the necessary requirements for nursing education and training.  I am a practicing nurse since 1981 and have worked side by side with many nurses who came from the Philippines, China, Japan, Vietnam, Haiti, Caribbean Islands, Panama, India and from many other countries.  The nurses came from different cultures but followed the same Standards of Nursing Practice when delivering care to our patients.

Using the designation as an "RN Applicant" is non discriminatory and sufficient to indicate those who are preparing to take the NCLEX.

I support the petition To amend section 130 to change the requirement for an applicant from another country to use the designation of "foreign nurse graduate" on a nametag to the designation of "RN Applicant"

I do not see any good reason why an international graduate nurse should be designated as “foreign nurse graduate” on their name tags when he/she has met all the same requirements, education and clinical training as a US graduate nurse. As a Philippine educated nurse, I had to pass the TOEFL exam also prior to taking the NCLEX. RNA should be sufficient. Thank you.

Please  add my name to previous comment. Thank you.

There is no sound reason for an international nurse to have “foreign nurse graduate” printed on their name badge when waiting to take the boards. It is racist and discriminatory, and no different than the Jewish armbands worn during the Holocaust.

If it is a concern regarding English proficiency, the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is required to review applicant credentials to ensure this qualification is met. The CGFNS also ensures all educational and clinical requirements are verified, minimizing the licensure of less competent applicants.

“RN Applicant” or “RNA” is sufficient. 

Regards, 

Ty Rodriguez

The consistent use of the terminology of RN Applicant needs to be applied across the board. In the current world of our evolving healthcare environment, staffing and nursing shortages continue to be opportunities for improvement. Approximately 8% of nurses across the country are foreign graduates. The stringent requirements of CGFNS have standardized the competencies of our RNs. I would like to clarify the board's proposal to segregate the foreign nurse graduates from the domestic nurse graduates. Why the difference? Is the goal to provide more diversity and culture exposure, provide more clinical orientation hours, increase communication and speech training? Has consideration been given to the foreign nurse graduates experience relative to interviews or interrogations from physicians, collegues, patients and their family? What will the potential impact be to patient care and the work environment? What is the logic behind the separate branding? In this day and age of perceived anti immigration rhetoric, why add fuel to the fire? Let's not eat our young! That happens more often with our new graduates. Thank you for your consideration. From a foreign nurse graduate with over 45 years of clinical and leadership experience, rising through the ranks of management, a military spouse, making a difference in our patient's lives and communities, without any regard to race, creed, color or religion. I respectfully request the board to render the same fairness and respect to my foreign nurse graduate colleagues. The use of the RN applicant across all graduates, will be respecting the ideals of Florence Nightingale and her Notes On Nursing. Not being consistent may leave a negative reminder of our nursing history in our Commonwealth. Thank you.

I propose that all nurse RN applicants regardless of where they obtained their nursing education (here or abroad) must only have one identification after their names which is "RN applicant". This will eliminate potential prejudice, bias, confusion, etc from patients and fellow health care professionals. Foreign graduate nurses (FGN) have met all the rigorous evaluation by  passing the CGFNS requirements which evaluates the FGN's credentials not only in nursing education and licensure but also the secondary education and English proficiency when appropriate. I do not see any value in identifying a FGN RN applicant who provides the same patient care as US educated RN applicant. At worse, this can only create acrimonious relationship amongst entry level nurse workers and patients instead of building a healthy relationship of trust, respect and teamwork.

Foreign graduate nurses must not be treated differently in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Use of " Foreign nurse graduate applicant on name tags and signatures on official records  will be confusing to some patients and may be perceived by the patients as incompetent nurses.  Such perception may impede a good nurse patient relationship and trust.

I respectfully ask the Board of Nursing to change the designation to" RN Applicant".

Thank you.

I am asking the Board to change the regulation of the title "Foreign Nurse Graduate" to"Register Nurse Applicant."

Thank you for your support.

As a foreign nurse graduate myself, I have experienced how a simple nametag can affect anyone else. This is a form of labeling which will escalate to bullying, under appreciation and discrimination. Discrimination is illegal as it is mostly the reason for rejection, denial of promotions and preventing any individual to better themselves. Therefore, I vote to have the nametag changed to "Registered  Nurse Applicant " to give credit to the nurses entering our profession and helping to improve it.

i Support the change in name tag label from foreign graduate nurse to RN Applicant. Foreign graduate nurses undergo rigorous evaluation to  prove that their secondary and college education is equal to their American counterparts. Requiring them to use a different label is discriminatory

The Philippine Nurses Association of America supports the change of designation from Foreign Graduate Nurse to Registered Nurse Applicant or Graduate Nurse  as it is exactly who they are without subjecting the nurse to undue discrimination from others. In our decades of being part of the healthcare team in the USA, Graduate Nurses from the Philippines have shown dedication, loyalty, excellence in clinical skills, professionalism, leadership, advocacy for their patients, colleagues and community. These nurses have already been screened many times over before they come to the United States, and they take the same qualifying NCLEX examination as their local counterpart. To label them Foreign on their ID on a daily basis is to expose them to unnecessary scrutiny and possible discrimination.

Madelyn Yu MSN, RN                                                                                                                       President, Philippine Nurses Association of America

I support the petition to change it to RN applicant.

I support the petition because the ruling to me is like labelling or dividing the nurses into two groups.   We nurses are united as one in caring and advocating for every single patient in our watch, and we should therefore have to be called the same...Registered Nurses regardless of where we come or graduated from.

i support this petition because putting foreign graduate nurse in their IDs sounds very discriminatory and condescending. We are all pert of the healthcare team regardless of race, color or nationality. Please approve this petition. Thank you.

I support the petition to change from Foreign Graduate Nurse to Registered Nurse.

I support the petition to amend section 130.

Internationally educated nurses (IENs) who practice nursing as provided in this regulation have completed rigorous  screening to provide evidence from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) that their secondary education and nursing education are comparable to those required for Registered Nurses in the Commonwealth. There is no justification for internationally educated nurses to use a different designation from other candidates. This is discriminatory. It is also saying that the Commonwealth of Virginia has a double-standard in the vetting process of Registered Nurses.

I believe that even foreign-educated nurses should be labeled as RN graduates, NOT specifically foreign graduates. 

I wholeheartedly support this petition