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Discussion

Foreign trained MD

I am a Cuban trained physician. I have 10 years of experience as a Psychiatrist. I am trying to navigate the complicated bureaucracy in the US. Seems that the most likely option is becoming a NP. I am preparing for the exam. Have not decided which one to take (AANP vs. ANCC). I was also wondering, can I utilize the MD designation as well in my business cards? Any feedback on the subjects would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Malcolm

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    • Expert

    Welcome to allnurses!

    Have you looked at the eligibility requirements for NP certification? You can't just "take the exam" -- you have to have completed a graduate program in nursing, in the NP specialty of your choice. Have you done that?

    You can't call yourself an MD here unless you are licensed as a physician in the US.

    Best wishes!

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    Malcolm:

    Unfortunately, you will need to satisfy the educational requirements in order to become a NP in the US. There are several paths to NP.

    1. LPN/LVN: licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse. To become a LPN/LVN, you will generally need to complete 2 years of school and then take the NCLEX-PN exam.

    2. RN. Registered nurse. To become a registered nurse, you do not need to first become a LPN/LVN. You can either "bridge" from LPN or go straight to a RN program.

    RN programs can be diploma, associate degree, or bachelor level programs. There are also entry level master degree programs, accelerated bachelors, and second bachelor degree programs for those with prior bachelor degrees.

    Once this education is completed, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam.

    If you want to continue to become a NP, you will need a bachelors degree in nursing. If you chose a diploma or associate degree option, there are "bridge" programs available so that you can obtain the degree.

    3. APRN. After you have your RN, and a bachelor (or entry level masters degree) in nursing, you can go to graduate school for a masters or doctorate degree in nursing. Upon completion, you can "sit for the exam" as you mentioned. There are many types of advanced practice nurses. You mentioned nurse practitioner; NPs are specialized, such as by patient population -- psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, for example. I would guess that PMHNP is what you would be interested in, given your background.

    I'm only in my first semester of an associate degree program for my RN, so I am sure that there are others who have much more information to assist you, but please feel free to ask questions. It can be a bit overwhelming.

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    • Author

    I guess I neglected to mention that I have RN certification earned concurrent on my 2nd-3rd year of medical school. FL already validated my credentials. I also took some course work as per the requirements (phamacology, adv. primary care). Just wondering on the subject the two different credential bodies. I can take NCLEX-RN at any time. I am rather exploring today the question of NP testing and designation

    Thank you for your feedback

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    I think you need to take the NCLEX first. And as stated above, no, you are not a US board-certified MD, hence cannot use it on your business card yet. But if i were you, i would see a counselor in the school of my choice (or even a local NP school even if you are not applying there), lay it on the table, and have them advise you on how or what you need to proceed further. On the other hand, i am just curious as to why you did not pursue the PA (Physician Assistant) option..? I thought being an MD in another country, the PA option would have been a more feasible option to take?

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    In regards to your question about certifying bodies, if you are looking at becoming a Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (which I assume is the case?), I believe the exam would be through the ANCC.

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    • Author

    In order to become a PA in the US you MUST be a graduate of a PA program in the US. A NP, in the other hand, has significantly more freedom and latitude in practice. All I need is a collaborating physician statement but no supervision or joint liability. I have a date for NCLEX already. I'm not concerned about that one. Thank you for your feedback.

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    • Expert
    I guess I neglected to mention that I have RN certification earned concurrent on my 2nd-3rd year of medical school. FL already validated my credentials. I also took some course work as per the requirements (phamacology, adv. primary care). Just wondering on the subject the two different credential bodies. I can take NCLEX-RN at any time. I am rather exploring today the question of NP testing and designation

    Thank you for your feedback

    I think you might find this helpful......Transitioning from physician to nurse practitioner
  • Quote
    • Expert
    I guess I neglected to mention that I have RN certification earned concurrent on my 2nd-3rd year of medical school. FL already validated my credentials. I also took some course work as per the requirements (phamacology, adv. primary care). Just wondering on the subject the two different credential bodies. I can take NCLEX-RN at any time. I am rather exploring today the question of NP testing and designation

    Thank you for your feedback

    As I asked earlier, have you completed a graduate level nurse practitioner program (MSN or DNP)? In order to be eligible for certification as a nurse practitioner, you must complete a recognized educational program. You can't just challenge the exam on the strength of your prior medical studies. Esme has attached info about a nurse practitioner program at FIU specifically designed for physicians from other countries who wish to become NPs here.

    Best wishes.

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    • Author

    Thank you all for your feedback and information.

    Happy New Year to all and continued success.

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    • Guides
    I am a Cuban trained physician. I have 10 years of experience as a Psychiatrist. I am trying to navigate the complicated bureaucracy in the US. Seems that the most likely option is becoming a NP. I am preparing for the exam. Have not decided which one to take (AANP vs. ANCC). I was also wondering, can I utilize the MD designation as well in my business cards? Any feedback on the subjects would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

    Malcolm

    Steps for you to become an NP in the US:

    1. Become licensed RN

    2. Apply to a masters degree program for Nurse Practitioner in the specialty you wish to practice in. You will need state RN licensure in whichever state you plan to take your clinical hours for the MSN degree.

    3. Complete MSN successfully (min ~2 yrs)

    4. Apply for the ANCC certification exam.

    5. Apply for state NP licensure and prescriptive authority

    Of course you may not present yourself to patients as an MD unless you are a licensed MD in your US state (which would involve taking the USMLE etc).

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    • Expert

    Some of the Chinese acupuncturists I used to work with were M.D.s in China. On their business card they would put "M.D. (China)" after their name. This was in Texas.

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