ADN-to-BSN vs. Accelerated BSN

GraveyardRN · Jun 23, 2013

Hi folks,

I have been reading the international nursing boards pretty extensively over the last few days, and I've been learning a lot about the prospects and hurdles of being a USA nurse overseas. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a satisfactory answer to my most burning question: Is an ADN-to-BSN completion program (sometimes known as an RN-to-BSN program) considered by many countries (EU, Commonwealth nations) to be the same as an accelerated BSN program?

Some background: I am a US-born nurse licensed in Indiana. I began my education in pre-med biology (four year BS degree) but switched halfway through and completed a two year ADN degree with a NLNAC accredited college nursing program. I've worked for over five years in ICU and telehealth positions and I am now preparing to go back to school to get my BSN and I am seriously considering going on to get a MSN as well. I am applying to two accredited brick-and-mortar schools (Indiana University and University of Indianapolis) that have RN-to-BSN completion programs that they advertise can be completed in as little as one year. Both of these programs advertise themselves as accelerated programs and they have online study components, but they do also have classroom sessions and they require clinical hours which can be fulfilled through precepted clinical experiences in my workplace. They are designed more with the working RN in mind than the RN who is trying to keep her options open for international work and travel.

I realize that every country's requirements for nursing certification and education are different, but I am wondering:

1) If I "top off" with a one year ADN-to-BSN program, will I still be considered ineligible for most international nursing jobs?

2) If I participate in online learning (even from a brick-and-mortar school in my city) will that be considered ineligible learning for most EU, South American, and Commonwealth countries?

2) If I were to go on to get a MSN in a nursing field would that improve my prospects in any way? We live in changing times and I am trying to keep my career and residency options open.

Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide.