BS in psychology and RN degree is enough for NP

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I have BS is psychology and a foreign MD diploma, I was looking into doing RN online likely will do AS. My question what do I need to get a NP license? With my BS is psychology count as a BS or do I have to get a BSN then MSN to be able to get be NP.

If anyone out there is a foreign MD who has become a NP can you tell me how you did it, I would appreciate it. THANX

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Rizo,

NPs are licensed as nurses - the same license as an ADN or BSN. An NP or CNS or CRNA represents specialty credentialing which requires graduate nursing education.

You appear to be mistakenly assuming that medicine and nursing are the same discipline. NPs are not 'junior physicians' - although there are natural areas of overlap, the approach and general philosophy are different. Nursing practice is based on our own theoretical frameworks, research, and clinical standards. Our practice focuses on 'care' not 'cure'. We also incorporate a great deal more multidisciplinary knowledge (psychology, sociology, anthropology, nutrition, etc.) than physician education .... essentially, nursing is the the liberal arts of healthcare. As an example, we place much greater emphasis on interpersonal communications and patient education than does medical (physician) education.

In order to satisfy requirements for an ADN & be eligible to sit for NCLEX and therefore obtain your license, you will need to complete clinical practicums as well as the online classes. Your physician training & experience may or may not be an asset in this regard - depending on how open you are to the new scope of practice. FYI - acting outside your scope of nursing practice will result in very fast consequences - including dismissal from the nursing program or place of employment.

You will need to meet requirements for a graduate degree in Nursing to become an NP. You need to check with NP programs in your area to get specifics. I am sure that many of your existing courses may satisfy requirements if they can be mapped to US equivalents. However, be prepared to repeat science courses that are more than 5 years old. These need to be recent due to the rapidly changing environment.

I would also caution you to carefully examine the economic outlook for NPs in your area. The job availability seems to be shrinking rapidly.

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foreign md as in medical doctor? why not see about taking the medical boards?

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Specializes in Community Health.

The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has a Masters in Science regular RN program that leads into the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Nurse Practitioner. If you have a bachelors degree in a discipline other than Nursing you can apply for the MS program to get your RN, and then apply to the DNP program. However, it is not an online program and very rigorous. I am in another program at MCG, the Masters of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner program. A lot of it is online, but you have to be a licensed RN to be accepted.

Also, if you do not graduate as a NP by the year 2015 you will have to get your Doctorate of Nursing Practice to become a NP.

Best of luck to you. Its a very demanding program.

VintageGAdog

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Hi Rizo,

Looks like we're on the same boat. I have a foreign MD but I did get an RN degree.

You can pm me at [email protected]. Am somehow floating .

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