A friend in a rural area of the South told me about her co-worker who was seeking mental health treatment for apparent depression. There is a dearth of psychiatrists in this small town, neither of which is taking new patients. There are a few NPs in free-standing clinics (if that is the correct term).
She ended up having to go to a state-run drug treatment center, filled out masses of paperwork (income verification, SS card for citizenship status, insurance card, etc.). She said it was like walking into a homeless shelter; this person has always been employed and had access to private physician practices.
Anyway, after a four-week wait for an appointment, she saw a very nice intake counselor, who referred her to the NP. She was very pleased (3 weeks later, when she got the appointment) to see the NP, who diagnosed her and prescribed, and thankfully she is feeling much better.
Sadder than the population of this clinic is that the NP said he was an MD in Afghanistan, passed the US certification for foreign medical school graduates, but could not get a residency.
So he works a few days a week in this small town as a NP, works one day a week as a PA at a pain clinic in the nearest large city, and works two days a week as a PA at the psych center of a county jail.
What is my point?! I am still processing this. I know rural health care is hurting terribly for providers, thankful that my friend has found a provider.
But how does a foreign medical grad become a PA and an NP? Just very curious, and happy that she has someone she trusts and who will take care of her.
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Hi everyone/anyone,
I am sort of the same situation as well. I am a foreign-educated MD who failed the USMLE (US Medical
Licensure Exam). Since my dreams as a doctor went kaput, I decided to go into nursing. I now have an RN degree
and passed the NCLEX. I plan to work as an RN for a year and then go into grad school to get my nurse practitioner
degree. I am now doing my nursing resume. When looking for entry level RN jobs, is it advisable to hide
the fact that I have a MD degree on my resume? Should I NOT put my MD degree under education since it will reflect badly
on me.
Please respond promptly. Seeking advice :)
You should list all your education in your resume including the overseas-obtained MD degree. You do not have a license to practice medicine in this country and you're applying for a nursing position for which you have a license to practice in. I don't see a reason why you should be discriminated upon. I have worked in places where some of the ER Techs, RT's, and RN's were IMG's who either did not pass the US medical licensure exam or could not match into a residency program and they have moved on to train in other allied health professions and are practicing successfully in their second careers.
I am an IMG and I passed the USMLEs and received certification from ECFMG. I was unable to obtain a residency. So I became an RN and now working on NP. When I was applying for RN job, I did put medical degree under education, but I did not put any working experience as physician.
I just saw your post and really, I think you should be honest in your resume. You will be asked questions in interviews that may uncover the truth, or some of it and you'll end up in a bad light, anyway. If you went through a medical program abroad, I believe going to nursing school anywhere would be a cake walk. Thta's what future employers will be looking at...your knowledge base, skills and also, ability to blend into their corporate culture. If you have all or most of these, you failing the USMLE would be your employer's gain.
Accelerated Combined BSN/MSN program for Foreign Educated Physicians
Florida International University (FIU):
Florida International University College of Nursing & Health Sciences created the nation's first Foreign-Educated Physician (FEP) nursing program in 2000. This pioneering program offers doctors from other countries, who are not practicing medicine in the U.S., the unique opportunity to reemerge in the healthcare industry – as nurses and nurse practitioners.
Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP
8 Articles; 4,475 Posts
You should list all your education in your resume including the overseas-obtained MD degree. You do not have a license to practice medicine in this country and you're applying for a nursing position for which you have a license to practice in. I don't see a reason why you should be discriminated upon. I have worked in places where some of the ER Techs, RT's, and RN's were IMG's who either did not pass the US medical licensure exam or could not match into a residency program and they have moved on to train in other allied health professions and are practicing successfully in their second careers.