American Citizen wants to Study in Argentinaor Europe (Finland or Norway) (or Brazil)

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Hey everyone, I'd like to study abroad to get my nursing degree. Right now I am doing liberal arts and doing pretty terrible, I got a 2.99 GPA and I will graduate from community college this upcoming fall semester.

The reason why Argentina is a consideration is because I want to improve my Spanish, and the cost of living there is cheaper. I did all my research and basically figured out that living and studying there is a possibility. Only problem is that I was possibly misled, I was told that I can get a 4 year degree and when I came back to the USA I would be an RN. I recently found out this might not be the case. Does anyone know my job opportunities with a "licenciatura de enfermeria" from Argentina? Another con of going to Argentina would be that I will have to take 1 year of required non-nursing called "common cycle" which is basically another year of liberal arts. But the good thing is that I would be studying and imporiving my Spanish while if I went with the European route I would be waiting around for a year not studying.

Now concerning my European options. I have an interest in studying in Norway and Finland. I speak some basic Norwegian and I would start learning Finnish if I decided to go there. They both offer nursing courses completely in English. I just want to know the most important part, are 4 year degrees from these European countries equivalent to the American ones? I might decide to live there after studying in Europe, but in case I decide to return to the USA I would like to know my options.

Another major problem with studying in Norway or Finland is government aid, I am basically not eligible for any unless I have family there or in the case of Finland I get a job there before I start applying for university, which is not likely going to happen since my only degree would be in associates in liberal arts.

Edit: I have a thing for languages and I am not afraid of learning Norwegian or Finnish, but I am currently learning Portuguese, the reason why I am not considering Brazil an option is because they don't offer English courses and my Portuguese is still only at a conversational level. But out of if curiosity, if anyone can tell me more about what nursing degrees from Brazil are worth in the USA, that would be great.

Thanks in advanced for any feedback,

Michael

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It's been 4 days and no response, bumping.

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I think you need to contact the BON where you will reside after your foreign education, as to whether or not any of your educational credits will transfer back home.

More than likely you will find that you will need to go back to school here to get the necessary credits to sit for Nclex.

Obtaining a job in a foreign country is not easy as you cannot just "apply" the employer would have to apply on your behalf with the paperwork which is a lot more of a hassle than hiring a local resident. I know this to be fairley representative as I was hired in a foreign country.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to the International Nursing forum. Hopefully members with experience in this type of situation will give you some helpful feedback.

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NeedChangeofPace how would I contact the BON of New York?

I have had some time to think about it, and my two most likely schools would be Argentina, or Brazil if I just stay there a year to improve my Portuguese before I apply for school.

Looking more at the Norwegian option, it's highly unlikely. And I cannot get financial help for the Finnish school unless I become a resident/come to finland for reasons other than studying. I don't see myself getting a work visa with my current qualifications....so Argentina it most probably is. Although I do love the Brazilian culture and would love to study there for 4 years.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Links can be found for the various state BON and contact details will be on there

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I tried two different e-mails. One bounced back immediately and the other took a day to get an error message back. It's too late to call them back by phone. Hopefully the phone number will work tomorrow.

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I want to go to nursing school in Brazil too, thats where Im from and I think I ll never know for sure if the educational credits will be transfer back here. for example I called the CGFNS International and they dont tell you if your foreign school will be recognize here in the states or not. they say they have to see the transcripts.

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I want to go to nursing school in Brazil too, thats where Im from and I think I ll never know for sure if the educational credits will be transfer back here. for example I called the CGFNS International and they dont tell you if your foreign school will be recognize here in the states or not. they say they have to see the transcripts.

If you get ant information regarding this let me know. I can't find anything out myself.

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I can't find anything out myself either...if you do, post it here.

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Bumping, hopefully someone can help us out.

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Here is link to NY Board of Nursing, contact them directly for help.

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