Please help!! US Citizens using Aus BSNs to work in the US

[Murasaki81]

Hi,

First, thank you for taking the time to read my thread. I have some questions that really need answering and if you could answer all/ any of them I would be so so greatful.

This is my situation- I graduated in 2003 with a BA in English and then did a stint in the Peace Corps (US volunteer program). There, I realized I wanted to get into nursing and now I'm back in the US taking prereqs to go to school. But, my boyfriend is Aussie and got me looking into programs there. There are some graduate entry programs (QUT, U. Melbourne) and I'm thinking about applying to those (plus they dont' have the crazy number of prereqs that US programs have) but before I make the move and the financial & time committment I have to figure out if it will be a problem for me to work in the US with a BSN from Aus. I'm a US citizen (dual- Japan). Also, I would like to have the option of doing an MSN eventually and I'm worried that I wouldn't be as attractive a candidate if I don't have a degree from the US. I know Aus degrees are recognized around the world but you and I know that the US is a self-absorbed type of place.

Does anyone know an American who has been in the same situation?? Does anyone know how difficult/ easy it would be to work in the US or do a masters in the US after getting a degree in Aus as a US citizen? Would it be easy getting a job in Aus after completing my program in Aus as an American? How to Aussie nursing degree programs compare with those in the US?

I really want to be with my boyfriend and the Aussie prgrams look good but I'm really worried about these issues. Please help! Thank you!!

[DesertRain]

I don't know about Australian Programs specifically but I do know that many of the hospitals in my area have international transitional programs that honor the degree you have and then you go through an orientation for a several weeks to make it work in the US. I would make an appointed with the nursing department at the school you might be interested in getting your MSN from and ask. Usually it would involve getting a transcript evaluation and then the department would let you know if there were classes you were missing to have a BSN here in the US. Good luck!