The Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium (CBNC), a 501(c)(3) non-for profit organization, serves and supports internationally educated nurses (IENs) who have immigrated to the United States. These barriers are due to the complexities of licensing regulations, difficulty with credentialing services, educational requirements and lack of proficiency in English. These nurses bring with them not only exp
ertise in nursing, they are also a resource for addressing:
· The nation’s need for a diverse nursing workforce.
· A serious need for bilingual nurses with experience in community health
· Safety concerns and poor health outcomes that occur when patients and
nurses do not speak the same language or have different cultural backgrounds
The majority of nurses that CBNC helps are Hispanic, with the second largest population from Poland and Eastern Europe. They are underemployed (or even unemployed), working in low-skill level jobs, usually at minimum wage ($8-$9/hr) and frequently in part time positions to support their families both here and in their home country. Most candidates do not qualify for state or federal workforce funding due to their previous education and the time needed to become US licensed RNs. While diversity in nursing has increased, it does not reflect the diversity in the general U.S. Hispanic RNs remain the most under-represented group of nurses. Less than 2% of our RN population is of Hispanic origin although Hispanics are the nation’s fastest growing population (HRSA 2007). Over the past few years, CBNC’s work has evolved into a model program of services and education to help IENs become re-licensed in the U.S. and aid their integration into the American workforce. CBNC’s program addresses community needs related to health care, education, workforce training and economic development. The program’s core activities are: 1) A Case Management approach that includes orientation to the requirements for licensure in Illinois for Ian’s, academic advising, and assistance in validating credentials; 2) Referrals to appropriate ESL and specialty nursing courses; 3) NCLEX review, ESL specific to nursing and nursing practice courses needed by candidates. Eighty-eight (88%) or more of CBNC’s candidates pass the NCLEX exam and attain licensure, a rate far higher than IENs who take the test on their own (below 55%). An average of 10 to 12 candidates complete the process per year, having spent from 12 to 36 months or more since starting the program. As an advocate for immigrant nurses, CBNC works to change or clarify licensing policies and procedures as well as coordinate resources, efforts and assistance. CBNC services are open and extended to all immigrant IENs regardless of time in the U.S. or language ability. Our goal is for each nurse to resume her or his practice as a RN if they are qualified to do so. This process requires intense coaching and follow-up accompanied by the message “You can do this and we are here to help you.”
Overall impact of CBNC:
· Increased Visibility and Use of Services: CBNC’s program is becoming more widely known through word of mouth and a web site (resulting in an increased in the number of potential candidates who call or send e-mail). The Executive Director due to her experience with CBNC has been appointed to the State of Illinois Nursing Center Advisory.
· Licensure: Since its inception, CBNC has worked with over 475 IENS and over the eighty-one of these IENs have taken the NCLEX. Seventy-two (72) of these nurses with the majority coming from Mexico and Latin America, have passed, representing a 88% pass rate or better on the NCLEX exam; In short, despite limited resources, we are preparing increasing numbers of IENs and with a high rate of NCLEX passage. These RNs are now working in hospitals, community centers, rehabilitation settings and home health. One is in a graduate nursing program The numbers of candidates prepared in Chicago are equivalent to similar programs in other states that have much greater resources.
· A Model Program: As the first formal IEN re-licensure program, CBNC has advised similar programs and have played a leading role in the formation of an international organization, IBNA (International Bilingual Nurse Alliance). This alliance is open to all RN re-licensure programs that share our goals. Our Board Secretary is currently the chair of the International Bilingual Nurse Alliance.
· Publications and Presentations: Several articles have been published and presentations made about CBNC activities. For example an article ‘Innovations in HealthCare Delivery: Response to Global Nurse Migration: An Education Example.’ was published in Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice in 2006 and a chapter in the new NLN Book (May 2009) “Giving Through Teaching: How Nurse Educators Are Changing the World.
