medicalMonitor
the monthly healthcare immigration eZine
                                   published by Hammond Law Group, LLC 
APRIL  21, 2003 VOL. I ISSUE 4   
Click here to view this e-mail as a webpage [http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/healthcare_newsletter04.03.htm] 
 
HAMMOND LAW GROUP PROVIDED FEEDBACK FROM DOS, DOL, BCIS
Hammond Law Group recently met with representatives of the Department of State, Department of Labor, and Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service in Washington D.C.  The Department of State reconfirmed that they do not expect any retrogression of numbers in 2003 or 2004. There has been some concern that employment based categories would become backed-up thereby further delaying nursing cases but, (at least for the next couple of years) that does not appear as if it will become a problem.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/alerts/03.06.03alert.htm
 
CGFNS CAUTIONS PHILIPINE NURSES
CGFNS reminds Philippine nurses that the Professional Regulatory Commission of the Philippines (PRC) will not release verification of Philippine licenses until all license fees have been paid in full. The PRC requires that all licensing fees must be current in order for them to release verification.  Please note that the PRC does not send reminders of these fees.
http://www.cgfns.org/cgfns/index.html
 
CGFNS OFFERS ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESSING AND TRACKING
CGFNS now offers the ability to apply on-line and check the status of a pending case.
http://www.cgfns.org/cgfns/index.html
 
ETS RELEASES PRACTICE TEST FOR ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
ETS has recently introduced a practice test for the Test of Spoken English.  The TAST (TOEFL Academic Speaking Test) is a practice version of the oral portion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
http://www.ets.org/news/03032501.html
 
NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE CHANGES RULES FOR LICENSURE OF NURSES
North Dakota had previously required an individual to hold a BSN before being licensed as a professional nurse which made it very simple to obtain an H-1b visa for any professional nursing position in North Dakota.  The legislature recently abolished this requirement. The Governor is expected to sign the bill soon. North Dakota is now in line with all other states in regards to nurses obtaining H-1b visas.  Once the bill becomes law, a full report will be posted on our site.  A copy of the complete bill is available below.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/medmonitor/nd_article.htm
 
NCLEX TESTING SERVICE RECOGNIZED FOR HIGH-SECURITY
Pearson VUE, the business that administers the NCLEX exam and other professional licensure exams, received a patent for the unique design of its high-security testing facilities.
http://www.pearsontesting.com/news/pr_041403.htm  
 
BCIS NATIONALIZES CALL CENTERS 
The BCIS has nationalized its call centers.  All inquiry and status calls  to the BCIS may now be made to
1-800-375-5283.
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/services/NCSC.htm
 
ILW.COM CONTINUES HEALTHCARE ROUND TABLE SERIES
"Representing Doctors, Nurses and Other Health Professionals - New Issues for New Times" 
Round table with ECFMG and CGFNS;  
April 28th 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 11:59PM (ET), April 23, 2003
http://ilw.com/lawyers/seminars/february2003.shtm
 
HAMMOND LAW GROUP ON CONFERENCE CIRCUIT
Steve Albert, Esq. attended the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) annual conference and exposition in New Orleans.  Thanks to all of you who met up with him and helped him to use his expense account ;-)  If you missed him this year, plan on catching him at the next American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) or AONE.  Hammond Law Group will continue to be your eyes and ears at the leading healthcare industry hot spots.   Keep your eye on our Event Calendar for the latest schedule.
http://www.hammondlawfirm.com 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hammond Law Group has a team of attorneys and legal staff who work with leading hospitals, recruiting agencies, and other healthcare providers to handle the immigration processing of cases for professional nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and other healthcare providers. This eZine is designed to provide our clients with only the information they need. For more detailed information about any of the topics discussed, please contact us and a member of our healthcare team will be happy to speak to you.  mfh@hammondlawfirm.com