Am I really an international nurse?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 5, 2008

Would check again with them as usually if training done outside of the US then you are classed as an International nurse, this is regardless on being a USC

sunset357 · Aug 10, 2008

I study in the University of Puerto Rico and it is accredited by the middle states college association ( One of a few U.S. entities that accredit universities). We are also a US territory which means you SHOULD NOT be classified as a foreign Nurse.

If I were you and your friend I'd check again, the person who attended her probably isn't aware that we are part of the US.

And please keep us posted.

Jenell7 · Jan 15, 2009

Hi where did you study in PR?

Thanks...

cool12 · Jan 15, 2009

PR is part of US territory. I suppose they are exempted from going through CFGNS.You should be fine!

corjen1226 · Jan 24, 2009

I graduated from the Interamerican Univ, of P.R metro campus. It is a trimester program so you graduate faster, but I would not recommend it. The professors were very irresponsible and unreliable. The school would benefit from a new director. I did call the board of nursing again and I was reassured. Thanks again.

RosesRN · Feb 7, 2009

hello!! i am seriously considering getting my bachelors in nursing at the same school in PR. I already have a bachelors in business and have taken all the prereq courses for accelerated bachelor programs---i am unsure if i will get in or if i can handle the stress and intensity of an accelerated program...so PR is my safe school. How much did it cost you, how long was it (did you have a previous education to transfer credits like me?), and anything you can tell me!! should i rent a place in Cupey? should I buy a cheapo car there or bring my VW. i would start in August if I went. I think i would like living in PR, i have lived all over the world and especially like tropical islands, and I speak some spanish. Was the program very intense, was it difficult, do you feel prepared for the NCLEX??? i have been contacting soo many people at the university but i hardly ever get any answers. THANK YOU SO MUCH

corjen1226 · Feb 12, 2009

Hello. This program is definitely really not very hard. I graduated with a 3.97 GPA and I dont think I worked all that hard. This program is divided into trimesters. There are three trimesters in one school year so you get alot done in a very short time. The clinicals run from 4-8 hours depending on how you choose to take them and the time of your other classes. I transfered all of my pre-reqs but it didnt make a difference because the science courses (anatomy and physiology, etc.) were integrated into the nursing courses so you learn it all at the same time. If you take from 18-21 credits per trimester you can graduate with your BSN in about 2 years. As far as cost, it is SUPER CHEAP. You do not get charged a straight fee for tuition. You only pay for the credits you are taking. A single trimester will run you from about $1600-$3400 depending on the amount of credits you take and how many lab fees you have to pay. This does not include the cost of books, which are very expensive. Cupey is the place to get an apartment. Guaynabo is very nice and clean and very close to the university as well. Rent for an average 1 bedroom in this area can run you from $450-$650/month and almost always include the cost of water and electricity. If you have an AC you will have to pay more. I would not recommend taking you car to PR. The roads are TERRIBLE and car theft is out of control, and the cops wont even try looking for your car if its stolen. Buy a cheap car and sell it before you leave. The program is designed to prepare you for the NCLEX, but it is so short that you really need to put alot of study time on your own to learn what you need to know. One thing you will learn about PR is that you cant get anything done over the phone. Dont waste your time calling the university you wont get an answer. Print and mail an application with your full vaccination history. If you decide to go I would recommend that you arrive at least two months before school begins because you have to see a nursing school counselor in person to get approval to register for your nursing courses. You have to fill out a FAFSA to be considered to financial aid. I could give you many tips but I would be typing for hours. If you want more info you can reply in a private chat and I can give you my phone number. Brush up on your spanish. Most staff at the university are bilingual but you will be totally lost everywhere else.

tattinatti · Feb 18, 2009

Hello. This program is definitely really not very hard. I graduated with a 3.97 GPA and I dont think I worked all that hard. This program is divided into trimesters. There are three trimesters in one school year so you get alot done in a very short time. The clinicals run from 4-8 hours depending on how you choose to take them and the time of your other classes. I transfered all of my pre-reqs but it didnt make a difference because the science courses (anatomy and physiology, etc.) were integrated into the nursing courses so you learn it all at the same time. If you take from 18-21 credits per trimester you can graduate with your BSN in about 2 years. As far as cost, it is SUPER CHEAP. You do not get charged a straight fee for tuition. You only pay for the credits you are taking. A single trimester will run you from about $1600-$3400 depending on the amount of credits you take and how many lab fees you have to pay. This does not include the cost of books, which are very expensive. Cupey is the place to get an apartment. Guaynabo is very nice and clean and very close to the university as well. Rent for an average 1 bedroom in this area can run you from $450-$650/month and almost always include the cost of water and electricity. If you have an AC you will have to pay more. I would not recommend taking you car to PR. The roads are TERRIBLE and car theft is out of control, and the cops wont even try looking for your car if its stolen. Buy a cheap car and sell it before you leave. The program is designed to prepare you for the NCLEX, but it is so short that you really need to put alot of study time on your own to learn what you need to know. One thing you will learn about PR is that you cant get anything done over the phone. Dont waste your time calling the university you wont get an answer. Print and mail an application with your full vaccination history. If you decide to go I would recommend that you arrive at least two months before school begins because you have to see a nursing school counselor in person to get approval to register for your nursing courses. You have to fill out a FAFSA to be considered to financial aid. I could give you many tips but I would be typing for hours. If you want more info you can reply in a private chat and I can give you my phone number. Brush up on your spanish. Most staff at the university are bilingual but you will be totally lost everywhere else.

Hello!! I actually got accepted into the nursing program at Interamerican University, I have mixed feelings..Im excited but scared at the same time. I would definitevly appreciate any info about the school and life in PR. I actually have tons of questions. THANK YOU

downyhairedchild · Apr 22, 2009

I found your post so helpful because i had many of the same questions that Roses623 had. I am also applying to InterAmerican University for August-entry into the Trimester program. I'm kind of apprehensive because I've read some negative posts about the school. Overall, did you like going there? Are there other students in the Nursing trimester program that are from the states? How many students were in your classes? I'm planning on dorming for at least a little while. Is it easy to get around on campus? How far away is the beach? Where did you hang out? Did you pass your NCLEX? Did you have any trouble finding a job in the states? I have tons of questions. I'm new to this site, could you private chat me, so I can give you my email or phone number? I'd really appreciate any and all info that you have. Thanks!

corjen1226 · May 23, 2009

To all those interested in attending the Inter American Univ. of Puerto Rico. First thing that you need to understand are the cultural differences. Everything in Puerto Rico moves at an alarmingly slow pace compared to the states. People are much more relaxed and never in a rush (except when driving). Do not bother to call the school service offices (admissions, registration, etc) they wont have answers for you. You need to call 787-250-1912. You can choose the english option and ask an operator to give you the number to the school of nursing. An advisor there will tell you what you need to do. You can print and mail an application like you would for any other university. Admissions is pretty much automatic, if you can pass the classes you can get your BSN in two and a half years depending on how many general education credits you transfer. The school is not too ddifficult but it is extreemly time consuming. Since it is an accelerated trimester program your clinicals can run from 4-8 hours a few times per week and thats not including you lecture and lab times. You will pay per credit, not a fixed tuition per trimester. Depending on how many labs and clinicals you take per trimester it will run you between $1600-$3500 per trimester including fees. Books are seperate. You will need to buy a clinical uniform (approx $45), a name tag (approx $7), non slip white shoes, and she university patch to sew to your uniform. You also need a health certificate. To get one you need to go to a physician that will test you for TB ($30) and send you to a lab for a VDRL blood test ($12). Once you go back with the VDRL results, if you test negative for TB and VDRL he will issue you a health certificate. All students will need to show evidence of Hep B vaccination series before being allowed on a clinical site. You will start clinicals your first trimester. And lastly all students need a certificate of good conduct. This is a certificate that states that you have no criminal record. To get one you will need to go to the police main headquarters in San Juan, the university will have directions, all you need is $1.50 for the two stamps that go on the certificate and you SS#. Both the health certificate and the certificate of good conduct can only be attained in PR, you cant get them state side. Plan on arriving at least a month before the begining of classes because you will need to meet with an advisor at the nursing school in order to be cleared to register for classes and the good sections go fast. Over all I think its a good school for those who want to graduate fast. However, it is alot to learn in a very short time and you need to be motivated to do alot of reading and self teaching. If you dont graduate at the top of your class you will have a hard time with the boards. I graduate with a 3.97 and passed the NCLEX the first time. Those students with GPA's lower than 3.0 will have a very hard time with their boards. As far as having issues with licensing in your particular state that is something to discuss with your local board of nursing. Some states will consider Puerto Rico educated nurses "foreign nurses." There are loop holes so dont be discouraged. Florida for example will not license nurses educated in PR unless they go through the CGFNS. There were many students in my graduating class with plans to return to Florida. They applied through a state that would license them ( NY, WI, CT, and many more) and then if they passed their boards later had their licenses endorsed by Florida. Post again if you have any questions.

Cahoon BSN RN, BSN, RN · May 5, 2010

downyhairedchild, if you are speaking of the Interamerican University and not the University of Puerto Rico, there are no dorms. UPR has dorms, but Interamerican has no on campus housing as far as i'm aware. Good luck with your app.