I'm really thinking about going to another country when I finish

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Hi there!

I am a 30 year old gay male pre nursing student. I am really excited about my new career decision. My goal is to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I have two questions

1. How important is the school I attend in getting a job. For example I'm thinking despite the fact that I live in California I want to apply to Duke or Johns Hopkins because I have this need to "aim for the top" but is this just my ego or will the name on my diploma really help me in landing my first gig.

2. I am thinking about going to Canada or Europe or Maybe New Zealand to do nursing as well (not permanently mind you) just for the experience. How is easy is it for an American nurse practitioner to work in other countries and will they make me jump through many hoops as we do to them? I know for RN's it can be done but I'm more concerned for nurse practitioner as I don't know if many countries have an equivalent to this position

Thanks guys (gals!)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You will have similar hoops tp jump through as nurses do for the US. Canada and Australia may be easier due to the trade agreements between each country but you would still have to meet nursing requirements as well as job requirements

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Nurse practitioner in Australia even to be a candidate you must be a much experienced RN become a nurse Practitioner Candidate through an employer and complete a Masters program that includes nurse practitioner subjects, then present to AHPRA with other requirements.

It is my understanding that in the USA, you can apply directly into the a university program without being employed as an advanced practise RN and have very little experience as an RN.

Australian medical law, medication laws are different to those in the USA, so it would require much extra study even as an experienced Nurse Practitioner from the USA just to be a safe practitioner.

and yes, I would be only fair and safe for the Australian public, same as for the American public, to make nurses from the USA 'go through hoops', Australians believe they have the same status in the world. Good Luck

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Aiming for a prestigious school is not really important. other countries have mnay hoops you would need to jump through. Trying to get a work visa in Europe is difficult coming from a non EU country.Best of luck.

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