Nurse w/ PD May07 & a Med Intern hubby

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, ER.

Hi! To all nurses in this site. I am newbie in this forum. Just wanna ask a couple of questions. Just want to place a hypothetical scenario. Let say things are all set for both of us to migrate in US 2-3yrs from now through my immigrant petition, what must be done on my hubby's part since he is in the medical field and wants to continue his journey to be MD? Is it possible that he will join me for a couple of months only in US then come back in Phils. to continue his residency? Sorry guys.. I'm not that knowledgeable enough when it comes to immigration stuff.

Thanks ahead for the replies. More power! :wink2:

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Specializes in Med-Surg,OPD ER,School/Clinic,Teaching.

1.) Read things posted at the ECFMG website and USMLE website and satisfy the requirements there. He may then contact the medical board where he wants to be certified(Pediatrics, Adult IM, etc.), etc after becoming ECFMG certified. Better if he could complete everything needed(all the steps of the USMLE and not just the minimum for the ECFMG certificate).

2.) He may work and continue his residency in the RP(but what for when he can do it in the USA?), however, this MAY not be completely credited(or partially credited) as a US RESIDENCY equivalent. He has to apply for a Re-entry permit while he is in the US so that he can return in the RP to fulfill his desire of continuing Philippine Residency. Again, this may not bode well if he desires US citizenship. So better finish it in the USA. US training is recognized worldwide and would really look good in his CV. It will save him the hassles and it would be considered as "efficient use of time."

God bless!

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Actually any Medical Residency training done in Phils. (I do not know about the other countries) is not credited to the US, not even partial. It has to be entirely re-done. Plus, passing of the USMLE is no guarantee that one would be accepted in a US Residency Training program, as well as go in a specialization of his liking nor the area he likes. He needs to apply directly or apply for a matching program. Usually, Internal Medicine and I think Pediatrics are the programs that a foreign-educated MD has a chance to go in. Surgery and Emergency Medicine are pretty much close for foreign MDs as these are the choice of US-educated MDs.

Also, your husband would be included with you and given a Immigrant visa as well when you sign him up in your visa application form (DS-230).

And just like what John said, his residency training in PH will not be honored in the US and he needs to take and pass the USMLE. Many find it hard to pass all three steps of the USMLE no matter how good they were academically in Med School.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, ER.
He has to apply for a Re-entry permit while he is in the US so that he can return in the RP to fulfill his desire of continuing Philippine Residency.

Thanks for the fast reply John. Re-entry permit? Correct me if I'm wrong but do you mean he can apply for this if he's already in US and decide to come home for let say after 6 months of being with me in US? With GC , is it possible for him to be in and out the US and at the same time finish his medicine here? He is planing to take the ECFMG and USMLE after he'l take the medical board here in Phil 2 yrs form now.

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Thanks for the fast reply John. Re-entry permit? Correct me if I'm wrong but do you mean he can apply for this if he's already in US and decide to come home for let say after 6 months of being with me in US? With GC , is it possible for him to be in and out the US and at the same time finish his medicine here? He is planing to take the ECFMG and USMLE after he'l take the medical board here in Phil 2 yrs form now.

Residency training is full-time. Most programs nowadays even have Duty, Post-Duty, Duty rotations because of lack of MDs. There is minimal room for leave of absences. One person out for a couple of days already wreaks havoc to the entire rotation. It will be very hard to go in and out of the country.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, ER.
Actually any Medical Residency training done in Phils. (I do not about the other countries) is not credited to the US, not even partial. It has to be entirely re-done. Plus, passing of the USMLE is no guarantee that one would be accepted in a US Residency Training program, as well as go in a specialization of his liking nor the area he likes. He needs to apply directly or apply for a matching program.

Thanks lawrence. If ever his application for matching program is ok/approved and given a chance we could be together in US, can he take the ECFMG and USMLE in US after his PGInternship here in Phils?

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Specializes in Med-Surg,OPD ER,School/Clinic,Teaching.
Actually any Medical Residency training done in Phils. (I do not about the other countries) is not credited to the US, not even partial. It has to be entirely re-done. Plus, passing of the USMLE is no guarantee that one would be accepted in a US Residency Training program, as well as go in a specialization of his liking nor the area he likes. He needs to apply directly or apply for a matching program. Usually, Internal Medicine and I think Pediatrics are the programs that a foreign-educated MD has a chance to go in. Surgery and Emergency Medicine are pretty much close for foreign MDs as these are the choice of US-educated MDs.

Also, your husband would be included with you and given a Immigrant visa as well when you sign him up in your visa application form (DS-230).

And just like what John said, his residency training in PH will not be honored in the US and he needs to take and pass the USMLE. Many find it hard to pass all three steps of the USMLE no matter how good they were academically in Med School.

Thanks for the additional information sir lawrence01! I made a comment regarding partial credit because I have read it in the 2008 ABP(for pediatrics)booklet of information found on the ABP's website that can be downloaded, page 8, whereby the applicant may have 1 year of training waived out of the 3 years required for pediatrics, though this is discretionary in nature or still subject to approval.

Given the data that he is an intern at this time, he is strongly encouraged to just start and complete his residency training in the US. For the time being, he is encouraged to make intensive preparation for the USMLE(3 steps with step 2 comprising of 2 sub-steps)while waiting for the visa. Better if he could complete at least step 1 and step 2 CK prior to arrival in the USA.

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Specializes in Med-Surg,OPD ER,School/Clinic,Teaching.
Thanks for the fast reply John. Re-entry permit? Correct me if I'm wrong but do you mean he can apply for this if he's already in US and decide to come home for let say after 6 months of being with me in US? With GC , is it possible for him to be in and out the US and at the same time finish his medicine here? He is planing to take the ECFMG and USMLE after he'l take the medical board here in Phil 2 yrs form now.

You're welcome milaeslehc! I just happened to see your post, hehe...

Here is a link where you'll find more information about US re-entry permit:

http://immihelp.com/greencard/reentry-permit.html

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, ER.
You're welcome milaeslehc! I just happened to see your post, hehe...

Here is a link where you'll find more information about US re-entry permit:

http://immihelp.com/greencard/reentry-permit.html

You know it's really hard on my part to think what will happen in the future with this kind of set-up -- I'm in US and he's in Phils -- waaaahh! With your inputs guys, this gives us an ample time to think deeply as to what should be the best thing to do regarding this matter.

Thank you lawrence and john. You are such of great help. More power and God bless you guys.

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Specializes in Med-Surg,OPD ER,School/Clinic,Teaching.
You know it's really hard on my part to think what will happen in the future with this kind of set-up -- I'm in US and he's in Phils -- waaaahh! With your inputs guys, this gives us an ample time to think deeply as to what should be the best thing to do regarding this matter.

Thank you lawrence and john. You are such of great help. More power and God bless you guys.

Hehe, you're welcome. Yup, pray for God's wisdom. If you want to gather more info, please do so by all means.

Thank you very much too! My PD is June 2007.

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Thanks for the additional information sir lawrence01! I made a comment regarding partial credit because I have read it in the 2008 ABP(for pediatrics)booklet of information found on the ABP's website that can be downloaded, page 8, whereby the applicant may have 1 year of training waived out of the 3 years required for pediatrics, though this is discretionary in nature or still subject to approval.

Given the data that he is an intern at this time, he is strongly encouraged to just start and complete his residency training in the US. For the time being, he is encouraged to make intensive preparation for the USMLE(3 steps with step 2 comprising of 2 sub-steps)while waiting for the visa. Better if he could complete at least step 1 and step 2 CK prior to arrival in the USA.

Well, you said it your self - it is discretionary in nature. Of course, passing USMLE as well is easier said than done.

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I actually work with several nurses from Manila, and their husbands work in Manila and then they fly over to see them every couple of months. The husbands are physicians there and did not want to start over to come here.

They must repeat the internship as well as residency and the exams need to be completed before they can come here, not after they do the internships here.

My friends find it easier for them to commute back and forth, it works for them.

I have not seen anyone get any of their residency waived in quite sometime, we just do not see any of the boards waiving anything. And especially have never seen anyone get anything waived from your country, just not happening here. Everything here is done so differently.

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