Ghana foreign trained diploma registered midwife wants to work in US

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hi I am an RM from Ghana and would like to stay and work in the usa, like to know if there was any bridge program to change my RM to RN or what equivalent my DIPLOMA IN MIDWIFERY can earn me in the U.S., I need help as to where I can start from. all contributions are welcome from everyone and if there is someone from Ghana who have been through such a process before please help out. thanx in advance.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Hi! Welcome!

I think you need to start the registration process first to become registered in the US as a nurse. I am sure someone will be along to help soon.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

In what capacity are you in the US with? As mentioned starting point would be applying to the state BON and seeing what they say

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Welcome to allnurses! I have moved your thread to Nurse Registration forum which foreign educated nurses (FEN) visit to learn how to get licenses in other countries. I will not discuss immigration issues, focusing instead on nursing education.

US Boards of Nursing require an RN to be a GENERALIST in all nursing subjects: Medical Surgical, Psychiatric, Pediatrics, Maternal Health, Geriatrics. Thusly, your midwifery degree would count towards only 1 area US nursing.

Attending an associate degree program in the US would be the quickest way to obtain Registered Nurse license. Most areas of US,associate degree nursing programs are extremely competitive to gain admission, taking 2-3 years with students required to complete per-requisite general courses first.

Right now there is a surplus of new graduate RN's in many areas of the US and hospital employers are taking advantage hiring the highest educated nurses requiring bachelor degree for employment. Some state still have 24-36 month Diploma Nursing programs.

Nurse Midwife education has moved to master degree level with independent nursing practice as Certified Nurse Midwife upon passing certification exam.

In choosing nursing program, you need to weigh:

a. Future goals: desire to work in hospital versus any setting; desire to continue in midwifery becoming MSN educated Nurse Midwife

b. Hospital employers: what are hiring practices in your area?

State specific nursing program discussions can be found under U.S. tab on gold toolbar.

Your midwifery credential can be validated via CGFNS International | Global Credibility | Credentials .. selecting CES report.

Some states permit lay midwife to practice: State By State | Midwives Alliance of North America. DONA International – Birth Doula Certification is an alternate for you to consider for work while undergoing nursing education.

Nurse Midwife Education:

Per the ACNM position statement, Mandatory Degree Requirements for Entry into Midwifery Practice, a graduate degree is required for entry into midwifery practice. All midwifery education programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) provide the necessary education for graduates to be eligible to take the examination offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) and become Certified Nurse-Midwives; in addition, two of the education programs provide the necessary education for graduates to be eligible to take the AMCB examination and become Certified Midwives

Best wishes in your US nursing journey.

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thanx to u all for your reply its much appreciated..

Admin midwifery in Ghana is a 3 years program which comprises of all the subjects u spoke of with the exception of geriatrics,that's I did all those courses from semester to semester coupled with obstetrics and so many other classes in midwifery. to say in short midwifery in Ghana u do all the general nursing courses then u specialized in midwifery so is a packed course. I don't know if my transcript can transfer but am going to follow the links u. gave me and see where to start.... thanx once again everyone

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