Foreign Nurse (non-US) Education Levels

[Lanceman]

I was hoping someone could answer a question I thought of. What education level to foreign nurses (non-US) typically receive ? Example: Canada now requires a minimum of a BSN. My curiosity mainly lies in the education received from more "undeveloped" countries. For instance, do nurses from the Phillipines receive an education equivalent to say an ADN or diploma program ? Who accredits these foreign programs ? My main concern is do foreign nurses generally receive an education on par with what is typically considered the "minimum" here in the US and who verifies this ? Also what do you all think about some states considering making the BSN mandatory and that policy's effects on foreign nurse importation or would they receive some sort of exemption, how is it done in Canada these days ?

[fergus51]

Only certain provinces in Canada require the BSN. Nurses who became nurses before the requirement are generally grandfathered in so they don't have to go back to school or anything. From what I understand Phil. nurses also have BSNs. The state boards of nursing in the US and CGFNS do educational screens to assure the foreign nurse's education is on par with the American requirements.

[Fiona59]

Nurses from the Phillipines (can't spell right now) have to take some type of refresher course/equivalency training before they are allowed to practice.

I remember having one buddied up with me (LPN) when she was working LTC, so we could see how she was doing. (Had problems with med. doses, but great patient care).

A couple of years back there was a media storm about nurses from the Phillipines. They often came in as sponsored nannies and had to work their three years to get landed immigrant status. They felt as there was a shortage of nurses in Canada they should have been given RN papers immediately without going through any of the accreditation process. Think it was RNABC that got involved in that one. But it makes sense, hasn't worked in nursing for three plus years, no experience in Canadian hospitals, and English was often not as expected...

[dhennie]

Your statement regarding nurse from the Philippines pissssssssshed me. You don't have to generallize all nurses from that country. It is the same in your country that every professional have the spelling right or they speak correct english. Why? do you think all amercian speak right grammar and use correct tenses. How would you think these nurse who are working with you passed the required examination (Have you tried to looked at the two famous dictionaries Oxford and Webster try to see if they have same spelling in some words). Or you are just being sarcastic since you know that Nurses from the Philippines have more patience in care and performs well in the ward. Remember we are not here to compete with spelling and speaking we are here to work and earn same a you maybe.:angryfire

Nurses from the Phillipines (can't spell right now) have to take some type of refresher course/equivalency training before they are allowed to practice.

I remember having one buddied up with me (LPN) when she was working LTC, so we could see how she was doing. (Had problems with med. doses, but great patient care).

A couple of years back there was a media storm about nurses from the Phillipines. They often came in as sponsored nannies and had to work their three years to get landed immigrant status. They felt as there was a shortage of nurses in Canada they should have been given RN papers immediately without going through any of the accreditation process. Think it was RNABC that got involved in that one. But it makes sense, hasn't worked in nursing for three plus years, no experience in Canadian hospitals, and English was often not as expected...

[enfermeria]

In fact, nurses from phillippine speak very good English. Their accent and communication skills are much better other Asian nurses or nurses from other countries. As a foreign nurse, I look up to them.

[suzanne4, RN]

This thread is actually almost six months old.....................and maybe needs to stay asleep.

Several of the posters above have not posted in awhile...........