New grad RN program in Cuba?

[algebra_demystified]

A friend of mine told me about a new-grad RN program available in Cuba that had free tuition and room/board, that it was something like four months in duration, and that it was of course very educational. I did a couple of google searches and didn't come up with anything right away so I figured I would ask here.

Have any of you heard of this program... or is just an urban myth?

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

ummm..hate to burst your bubble but you would never get licensed in the USA. It is still illegal for US citizens to travel to Cuba and the school would not be recognised nor US accredited.

[sunnyjohn]

Years ago Castro came up with a program to offer free medical education to minority groups. He offered medical education to African Americans Bahamians, Jamacians and lots of other countries.

It was an offshot of another Cuban program where they sent doctors on "missions" around the world. It was Fidel's version of "Doctor's Without Borders' (and some would say his attempt to curry-favor with the international community).

Even though things are economically tough in Cuba and the hospitals lack a great deal, Cuban doctors and nurses are exceptionally well-trained. Both the nurses and the doctors are well-know in philanthropic medicine worldwide.

Lots of folks in the West Indies go to Cuba for medical care when they can't afford to come to the US to see a doctor.

I would not recommend this internship. If you want to travel abroad I would look at other groups.

The State Department still frowns on Americans travelling to Cuba. They did at one time allow travel to Cuban for educational/special purposes, but the dispensations where abused and as far as I know discontinued.

Disclaimer - How do I know this stuff? I am from the area.

[sunnyjohn]

One more thing-

The staff medical and nursing staff might be well-trained and very skilled, but the hopsital conditions in Cuba are not what an American would be used to.

You would be much better off as a new grad RN cutting your teeth in the medical environment you will spend your career in. With experience you could search for medical teams offering services around the globe.

I would not suggest it for a new grad.