I am a high school graduate from Ghana in the western part of Africa..I have the dream of getting into a 4yrs BSN program.. My electives were Geography,Economics,Government,Elective mathematics aside with Maths,Science,English and Social studies as a compulsory subjects of study.. Do I have to take any other different high school course before I can be admitted into the university to study a BSN in nursing since am in the states now.. ? My least grade in the courses I studied was C. I hope you can help me know know step to take next to get into my career path.. Thank you..
Look at schools for their admissions criteria plus whether or not they are able to admit international students. There are quite a few schools that do not accept F1/international students into the nursing program. You need to show proof of funds for tuition, fees, room & board, medical insurance and living expenses for the duration of your education before you start.
Remember the intention of a student visa is that you receive your education in the U.S., sometimes practical training (more difficult to secure as a graduate nurse now since it's only valid for 6 months with no extension and many employers are not sponsoring employment based visas. Many employers do not want to go through the expense and time of training a new nurse when they will not reap the benefits when opt ends in 6 months) but return to your home country to practice your profession. Student visas are not intended as a path to immigration.
If you are already in the USA LEGALLY and WITH FIXED VISA STATUS (I.e. can stay, study and work and have valid driver's license and SSN):
1). Google 4-years BSN programs in the state you are residing.
2). Walk into admission department of each of them during business hours, find a person named "admission adviser", give him/her your education documents, ask what they want you to do to get a place.
3). Google some more to find the programs' cost and NCLEX passing rate.
4). Basing on 2) and 3) choose one or two programs, with the highest NCLEX passing grade, lower requirements for admission, having foreign-born studenrs who graduated successfully and lowest cost (I suggest this order, though it us up to you). Do what they want you to do and get admitted.
If you are NOT in the USA or CANNOT LEGALLY STAY, WORK and/or STUDY HERE BEYOND CERTAIN TIME PERIOD (visas H4, "guest", "travel", all categories of J, K1 in "limbo period", etc.)
- get either entry visa with long-stay privileges, green card or change your status on more "stable" first, then go as above. Do not communicate with any school in any way until you fix your immigration business. Schools pretty often try to charge international students for "admission consulting" and you will need your money for other things. They may try to use your inexperience or directly discriminate because you are a foreigner and new in the country by pressing you into useless tests and "evaluations" of your credentials, so don't give them a chance until you are here to stay.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Also there are quite a few programs where all classes are integrated into the curriculum so that you attend 4 years, completing co-requisite classes such as English, literature, statistics, sociology, psychology, anatomy & physiology, nutrition, microbiology, communications, electives concurrently with the nursing clinical and theory courses. I know of 3 such programs in my state. Not all BSN programs require completion of pre-requisites prior to admission to a nursing major.
You will likely have to demonstrate English language fluency & competency by passing the TOEFL or similar exam (test of English as a foreign language). You may have to take placement exams for English/language arts and mathematics possibly sciences too. Your educational transcripts will have to evaluated for equivalency to US standards (most often WES World Education Service performs this for a fee)
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
No. You can go direct to BSN. There is no point to do LPN & ASN if your goal is BSN especially if a recent HS grad. Look at universities in your area and see what the options are.
You do not need an MSN to get a DNP. CRNA is either MSN or DNP depending on the program. CRNA, APN and DNP are all advance practice nurse tracts that not everyone aspires to enter.
So does it mean one can continue a career path into the CRNA.. Because I want to go as far as I can get to the last stage in nursing since that's a promise I made to my mom.. Do I need to go through all the steps I listed or jump from points to get there and briefly how many years in all will I be spending to achieving my last certificate..? Thanks dear
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
So does it mean one can continue a career path into the CRNA.. Because I want to go as far as I can get to the last stage in nursing since that's a promise I made to my mom.. Do I need to go through all the steps I listed or jump from points to get there and briefly how many years in all will I be spending to achieving my last certificate..? Thanks dear
Quickest route. BSN (aim for A's as CRNA is highly competitive) pass NCLEX RN (approx 4-4.5yrs)work for 2-5 years, aim for ICU/critical care
Apply for CRNA (most are 2-3 years) so around 10-12 years from starting undergraduate working as a critical care nurse and getting accepted to & graduating from a CRNA program.
First step>>> find a university, determine admissions requirements apply & get accepted. Many BSN programs are highly competitive admissions. You may need additional coursework, assessments and testing to meet the minimum admissions requirements which can add 1-3 years to your timeline Failure to do this will be a barricade in your desire to be a nurse/nurse anesthetist.
PinayUSA
505 Posts
Your post makes zero sense. OP is already in USA