Recommending a minimum English proficiency standard for entry-level nursing

JONAS Healthc Law Ethics Regul. 2005 Apr-Jun;7(2):56-8. doi: 10.1097/00128488-200504000-00005.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to provide sufficient information to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to make a defensible recommended passing standard for English proficiency. This standard was based upon the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A large panel of nurses and nurse regulators (N = 25) was convened to determine how much English proficiency is required to be minimally competent as an entry-level nurse. Two standard setting procedures were combined to produce recommendations for each panelist. In conjunction with collateral information, these recommendations were reviewed by the NCSBN Examination Committee, which decided upon an NCSBN recommended standard, a TOEFL score of 220.

MeSH terms

  • Communication Barriers
  • Educational Measurement
  • Foreign Professional Personnel / education*
  • Foreign Professional Personnel / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Foreign Professional Personnel / supply & distribution
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Licensure, Nursing / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Licensure, Nursing / standards*
  • Multilingualism*
  • Nursing Staff / education*
  • Nursing Staff / organization & administration
  • Professional Competence / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Professional Competence / standards*
  • United States