Can a Foreign educated RN now licensed in the USA apply for an RN-to-BSN program?

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 21, 2015

Here is what you have to do:

1). Shop around for schools. Brick-and-mortar are better than online for foreign grads, especially if you want to continue in grad school. Pay attention, among other things, to:

- previous experience with foreign grads, lest you become the only and one and quite possibly face discrimination and xenophobia. It is unfortunately, but things like this happen.

- English requirements. It is totally up to you, but I would not agree to take any TOEFL or other tests if you already working, as it is totally discriminatory practice and only serve to get some more $$ from you. If you work in healthcare and have no problem, your English must be good enough.

- evaluation agency they prefer. Most accept ECE (ece.org) but ask anyway. Absolutely do not agree to "we do our own evals" practice, as the result will be that none of your previous courses can satisfy their exquisite requirements and you have to start it all over for $$$.

- if you cannot, for whatever reason, provide certified copues of your foreign diploma, tell it right away and ask what they want instead.

2). Get certified copies of your foreign diploma, if possible. Translate it into English by certified translator.

3). Evaluate your diploma in the agency the school recommended.

4). Make plans if you still need pre- recs, apply and get accepted! Good luck!

joannanairobi · Apr 23, 2015

I am actually a US citizen, and speak English perfectly.

I would like to do the online RN-to-BSN programs, such as the one at Arizona State. Why is going to a brick and mortar school versus an online school better for grad school?

joannanairobi · Apr 23, 2015

PS. I am a US citizen and do not have the issues of English language requirements/social security. I am more wondering which schools, preferably online, are available for foreign educated grads (I am a US citizen and speak American English).

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2015

I am a US citizen and speak American English as well. But when I was searching for BSN program 4 years ago, in place # 1 I was asked to take TOEFL, and to take it ONLY in their center. Their reasoning was that they require every prospective student born in any place where English is not first State language, including Canada, to take it. For $125. You got it, right?

Then there was a place #2, where I was told that my biomedical doctorate from abroad cannot be accepted as it is. No courses at all, I had to take every hour of 40 or so pre-recs of subjects I was pretty sure I knew more than any professor there. I said "thanks" and left. Next day, I got a call. They thought a bit and agreed to evaluate my diploma yet again, themselves, and were pretty sure that "some" coursework could be accounted. Just for $500 or so. You got it too?

The place #3 wanted to see my high school diploma. They just could not get that there were no more that school, and that country as well on the green Earth. When I explained it couple of more times, they told me to go and get my GED somewhere, but first I had to test out all MIDDLE school classes. I barely hold myself together in order not to burst in hysterical laughing then and there.

At last I came to place #4 which wanted my diploma evals by ECE, accounted all pre-recs and admitted me without problems. This was the way I got to know that discrimination by place of birth (not national origin), language and educational background is perfectly legal in the USA. And all that was in Michigan, which has generally much less applicants and where schools are thus less picky than in Cali.

Regarding online vs. campus-based programs. The topic was discussed quite a bit on this forum but in general online programs have relaxed requirements and less rigorous coursework comparing with campus-based. Some of them are named "diploma mills" for a reason. Therefore, grads of online programs can be seen as "less qualified" and worse prepared. It can really drag your future career down, especially if you would like to go to one of the big names for your advanced studies.

Also, online programs, even the ones who are "big names"'s outcrops, may have separate problems with certifications/grads licensing in every separate state. I have no idea why it is so. At least, conract your BON and ask if the program of your choice will make you BSN in California before you pay them anything.