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Discussion

MD to RN

Hello Everyone/Anyone,

I am new in this forum. I have a quick question to ask. I graduated from

medical school in a foreign country and had a difficult time passing the USMLE

(United States Medical Licensure Exam). Since my dreams as a doctor failed, I decided to

take up nursing and got my nursing diploma. I am now an RN and passed the NCLEX. When looking for a job and writing my resume, do I hide the fact that I have an MD degree? Will it reflect badly on me that I am in essence a failed doctor? Is it best not put that MD degree on my resume as part of my education?

Desperately seeking advice. Thanks so much.

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    • Expert

    Most employment applications ask (demand :)) that you list all your formal education/degrees. If you omit something and the potential employer finds out, most employers consider that sufficiently dishonest to eliminate you from consideration (or fire you if you've already been employed). And employers do sometimes find out such things. Is that something you want to have hanging over your head all the time?

    Honesty is always the best policy in nursing. People's lives depend on our honesty and personal integrity.

  • Quote

    First of all you are not a failed doctor. It is difficult for foreign-educated doctors to become MDs here and most people are aware of this. My A&P teacher was a MD in her country, couldn't get a residency placement and started teaching college level science classes instead. I think you being a MD in another country doesn't look bad. For interviews, you could explain that you went to medical school in another country, then moved here, wanted to continue in the medical field and thought that nursing school would be your best fit. I know of someone who was a practicing physician in her country, but became a PA here (I think because of the same difficulties you faced). Good luck!

  • Quote

    I just put this in my resume toward the bottom of the "education" part, just for the sake of covering what would be otherwise a very long gap in my life. Nobody ever care, and it was never ever checked (which is a bit surprising, but as far as I know there are hardly any way to do it known among nursing community).

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