American nursing student in Australia - transferring back to USA

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I am currently debating whether to pursue a grad-entry MSN program in Melbourne or continue taking pre-reqs and applying for accelerated BSN programs in the states. I've been offered a spot at University of Melbourne and must decide by nov 20!

I know there are many other users here who have had this same dilemma & would LOVE some feedback about which path you chose and your thoughts after the fact.

I'm a US citizen, so wouldn't need to worry about a visa once I return to the US, just the shortage in clinical & theory hours - which I understand can be done at Deakin in Aus (not sure if or where else in the Us or Aus).

On the flip side, I have a couple of semesters worth of pre-reqs to pass before I can start any accelerated BSNs in the USA, which I know are pretty competitive & fill up quickly.

It seems like quite a gamble to apply for these when I already have an offer from Melbourne. Either way I look at it, I have additional courses to take, just a matter of now or later.

A main concern I have is the cost - the programs I'm looking at in the US are in most cases more expensive than U of Melb. But, US federal student aid isn't applicable to Australian nursing programs, so I would have to take out private loans. Any tips on good ones??

After reading so many posts by users in a similar position to me, I'm curious to hear feedback about your choices! Really looking forward to some other perspectives!

Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

What you have to be careful off is that any top up courses you take outside of the US are accepted by the state you plan on living and working in. CA last I heard did not accept Deakin at all

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Specializes in CTICU.

If you plan to work in the US for the majority of your career, do your study in the US. As a foreign trained nurse in the US, it's a giant PITA for the rest of your career, including every time you want to change state licensure.

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Thanks Silverdragon. Do you know if the courses at Deakin that I would be looking at are the Professional Development Units (PDU)? http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/9120/1404-pg-nursing-midwifery-15-v7-dn-accessible.pdf

I'm flexible about what state I would live in, so that's good I suppose.

To ghillbert's point below, I'm not even sure if I would want to come back to the states or stay in Australia for awhile. I don't want the decision to travel & experience Australia to end up causing me major headaches for the rest of my life/career!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You could still look at going to Australia once qualified

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Specializes in CTICU.
Thanks Silverdragon. Do you know if the courses at Deakin that I would be looking at are the Professional Development Units (PDU)? http://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/9120/1404-pg-nursing-midwifery-15-v7-dn-accessible.pdf

I'm flexible about what state I would live in, so that's good I suppose.

To ghillbert's point below, I'm not even sure if I would want to come back to the states or stay in Australia for awhile. I don't want the decision to travel & experience Australia to end up causing me major headaches for the rest of my life/career!!

They are the PDU's - I did the peds one back in 2007 but then didn't need it as mine was assessed as adequate (I graduated back in 1996 though).

Seriously if you have any thought of working back in the US, study in the US. It is MUCH MUCH easier to work in Australia with US qualifications than vice versa. I have done both and even if you plan to stay "a while" in Australia, I'd think very carefully.

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