2005 News

CGFNS Will Postpone Mailing VisaScreen^® and Certification Program Certificates to Applicants Affected by Hurricane Katrina

PHILADELPHIA, PA — SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 — As a result of National Mail Service Updates from the U.S. Postal Service regarding limited and suspended mail service in the areas of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi due to Hurricane Katrina, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) will hold off mailing all VisaScreen^® and Certification Program Certificates to applicants in the affected areas until the U.S. Postal Service resumes service in these areas. General correspondence to applicants in the affected areas will continue to be mailed.

Affected applicants are encouraged to call CGFNS Customer Service at (215) 349-8767, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (ET) or Friday: from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (ET) to request the mailing of their certificates to an address that is not affected by Hurricane Katrina. Applicants who have new contact information (phone, address, fax, or email) should also contact CGFNS with that information as soon as possible. Applicants who wish to check the status of their orders may do so online at www.cgfns.org or by calling the CGFNS Automated Phone System at (215) 599-6200 24 hours a day; 7 days a week. Your CGFNS ID Number your Date of Birth will be required in order to check your status.

"CGFNS extends its sympathies to those who have suffered great personal hardship in the wake of this tragedy," said Barbara L. Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of CGFNS. "We pledge our support in working with the affected applicants to ensure the safe delivery of their certificates that are prerequisite to licensure and immigration in the United States."