SNYA has a rich history in pre- nursing school
preparation, nursing student mentoring and NCLEX
preparation. Working under New York State Department of
Health grant-funded programs since 2003, individuals
seeking a career in nursing received funding for
educational expenses as well as technical instruction,
support, and mentoring to prepare for entrance into
nursing school and throughout the nursing school and
nursing licensure processes. The most recent nursing
development grant of up to $972,984 was awarded under
the New York State Department of Health Workforce
Retraining Initiative.
In an effort to respond to Association members’
needs for international nurses to stem the tide of the
potential deleterious effects on patient care resulting
from the national nursing shortage, SNYA has developed
international nurse NCLEX and cultural acclimation
preparation programs. Successful NCLEX testing and
immigration represent only half of the international
nurse’s journey. Upon arrival in the United States ,
international nurses face both professional and personal
challenges. These programs incorporate research
recommendations and practice guidelines, thereby
offering an amalgam of methodologies to achieve desired
outcomes.
Blending web-based technology with live instruction,
SNYA affords Association members the opportunity to
maximize nursing recruitment expenditures by investing
in educational development programs rather than
short-term, discreet programming. Nurses recruited into
SNYA programs become partners in a community with
mutually-established goals. This participatory approach
engages candidates and facilitates the learning and
acclimation process.
International NCLEX-RN
International nurses seeking NCLEX success have a
multitude of choices in the test preparation
marketplace: live classes, books, DVDs, CD Rom, e-mail
tutoring, e-books, archived or live internet lectures
and web classes. Each venue provides trainers or
instructors to deliver NCLEX-related content. Some
services focus on a review of nursing school content
aiming to strengthen candidates’ nursing knowledge;
others offer shortcuts and tips about the nature of the
exam; many include practice question drills.
All are predicated on the assumption that users are
successful self-directed learners. The SNYA experience
has revealed that candidates other than self-directed
learners have unmet needs in the area of NCLEX and
acclimation preparation. Therefore, SNYA program design
combines the best practices of each of the
above-mentioned NCLEX preparation methodologies:
NCLEX readiness assessments, tutorials, and question
bank are provided through one of the expert providers in
the NCLEX preparation sector
NCLEX webcasts provide candidates with guidelines and
instruction in areas supporting effective NCLEX
test-taking
Online instruction affords candidates the opportunity
to apply the information through specifically-designed
exercises
E-mail correspondence with instructors and program
coordinators enables candidates to communicate
throughout the program and to receive individualized
feedback, coaching, and support, thereby facilitating
learning.
In summary, the SNYA program for international nurse
preparation and acclimation builds and establishes
relationships with candidates throughout the learning
process, continually assessing readiness and providing
educational content that creates partnerships in
learning. A distance learning community is developed
concurrent with New York-based activities with
Association members to create a welcoming environment
for newcomers participating in the program. The program
concludes with the arrival and transition of
international nurses into the Southern New York
Association community of facilities.
International Nurse Transition Program
The successful transition of international nurses to
the U.S skilled nursing facility environment is
dependent on several factors in addition to the
activities of the international recruitment
organization. These factors include but are not limited
to the following:
Pre-employment screening, assessment, selection, and
placement
Pre-employment (NCLEX) licensing test
preparation
Introduction to the culture of nursing in
the United states as well as the long term care
community
Relationship development and support
Pre and
post arrival case management to increase awareness and
assist with issues of cultural differences, housing,
transportation, food and support system development
In this model, the SNYA transition coordination team
provides NCLEX support as well as serves as facility
liaison for the coordination of administrative
activities with facility departments of human resources,
nursing, and staff education to facilitate the
successful outcome of newcomer welcome and transition.
Program activities include the following:
Profile review, candidate interview and assessment
Case management: pre-arrival in the U.S. and weekly post
arrival for the initial 90 day period of acclimation
Facility seminars to increase awareness and to begin
community development process
Administrative meetings,
telephone calls and conferences with members of
executive administration, human resources, staff
education and nursing
Welcome dinner orientation and distribution of
newcomer welcome baskets
Services