International Graduate BSN-DNP question?

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Hello everyone. I am a registered nurse who graduated with her BSN from India in 2010 and practiced as a RN there for 2 years. Afterwards, I moved to the U.S. in 2012 and have been working as a RN here since then and obtained my citizenship in the United States. I would like to apply for a BSN-DNP program, but in the admission requirements for most universities, they list that the BSN degree must be from an "accredited" institution. One university told me that I could not apply there since my degree was from India and is therefore not from an "accredited" college. Do i qualify as an international student in this case even though I am a U.S. citizen? Also, what are my options in this situation if I am unable to apply with my current situation? I had originally believed that if I was able to evaluate my degree that it would be accepted by the institution I was applying to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

A BSN-to-DNP typically requires a BSN that is accredited by CCNE or ACEN. You would probably have an easier time applying to BSN programs first and having them evaluate your non-US BSN education for credit. It might be a short road to an accredited BSN for you.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Different universities have different requirements for graduates of a BSN in another country. I wouldn't give up just because one university said no. Be aware that not all universities with a DNP program offer a BSN to DNP yet as some are offering the DNP degree as a post-Master's option only. That said, your pool of university options is going to be smaller knowing that there are schools that do not accept students in the BSN to DNP program whose BSN was obtained outside the US.

Where in the US are you? for instance both Columbia and NYU do not specifically state in their admission requirements that the BSN must be obtained in a program that is CCNE or ACEN accredited. I suggest you call each individual schools so that you know what their specific requirements are. I've seen a range of requirements for international grads from having any of the third party credentials evaluation services confirm that your BSN is equivalent to having you also pass an English exam (such as TOEFL).

You are not considered an International Student since you are a US citizen and will not require a Student Visa to enroll. However, you are classified as an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN).

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

AACN maintains a searchable list of nursing education programs by state and program type, select BSN-DNP under programs offered section to help you find a program.

https://www.aacnnursing.org/Nursing-Education

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Thanks for your inputs! @juan de la cruz I'm in CA and looking for online programs , I will call universities and find out their specific requirements! most of them specifies " BSN from accredited" institute, i'm afraid i have to go for BSN all over again ! I was looking for some reputed universities in CA, for instance UCSF, USF CA.

The other option for me can be online schools , but i don't know which one is really legit , @NRSKarenRN thanks for the link that's really helpful to look for accredited schools.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Thanks for your inputs! @juan de la cruz I'm in CA and looking for online programs , I will call universities and find out their specific requirements! most of them specifies " BSN from accredited" institute, I'm afraid I have to go for BSN all over again ! I was looking for some reputed universities in CA, for instance UCSF, USF CA.

The other option for me can be online schools , but I don't know which one is really legit , @NRSKarenRN thanks for the link that's really helpful to look for accredited schools.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Check out Allnurses Student sections https://allnurses.com/nursing-students-c132/ for member advice:

Online distance learning forum : https://allnurses.com/online-distance-learning-c72/

Student Nurse Practitioner: https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner-c186/

Post Graduate Students https://allnurses.com/post-graduate-students-c140/

Best wishes in moving forward with a graduate degree.

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