Question about going to school abroad?

allnurses Guide · Oct 12, 2008

Don't forget a large part of the reason for foreign grads having lower NCLEX pass rates on the first try is due to language barriers. People from english-speaking countries don't seem to have the same issue. Therefore, a US person who went elsewhere to study would most likely be just fine.

Having said that, I don't understand it either - who'd want to be treated as "foreign-educated" for the rest of their career if they plan to live and work in the US? Much better to get your education here and then go travelling as an RN if you want to see other countries.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 12, 2008

That is a great point, although from my understanding the Philipine nurses are educated in English, so in theory this should be a non issue.

My question was are the advantages to being educated aboard if your goal is to return to the US to practice. I only see barriers, one have your transcript evaluated, paying extra money for all the extra testing, the waiting times, and some states like Florida making foreign grads have 2 years of experience.

What are the positives? I am guessing could be cheaper? Family support?

No wait time to enroll?

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2008

Gaining life experience in a foreign country? Experiencing another culture? Not sure.

MandaAnda · Oct 13, 2008

I suppose some people may have family abroad and want to be near them for the duration of their training.

Personally, I wanted to live in the UK and also study nursing (as it's branch specific) in the UK. I had no intentions of settling back in the US. However, my partner wants to try living in the US in a few years' time, so I'm going to have my UK qualifications evaluated in the US soon.

If you pay international fees (I didn't, as I was a UK resident when I started my nursing course), they're not cheap compared to local fees. Also, FAFSA does help with universities it recognises.

And even if someone does ultimately want to return to the US, maybe they'd like to see some of the world before settling into their career. I understand that the majority of Americans don't have a passport and (like my own father) don't see the point of living elsewhere when, as he says, the US is so big and varied. But as far as I was concerned, it's still the US - I wanted something different. I was interested in the rest of the world and don't buy into the "America is the best at everything" belief some people hold.

And now that I may be moving back to the US in a few years, I don't mind that I may have to take a few courses to be allowed to take the NCLEX. I have no worries that I won't pass it either. I wouldn't trade my six years in the UK for anything.

txnursingqt · Oct 13, 2008

So from what you have said it is possible to be US educated as a RN and then work in another country? I am asking because my hubby and I want to eventually move to another country or countries. We would love to travel and experience other cultures but I didn't know if one could do that as a nurse.

Thanks in advance.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 13, 2008

So from what you have said it is possible to be US educated as a RN and then work in another country? I am asking because my hubby and I want to eventually move to another country or countries. We would love to travel and experience other cultures but I didn't know if one could do that as a nurse.
Thanks in advance.

Can be done as long as you meet the country's RN requirements and also immigration requirements. Some countries will not allow you to sit their exam and nurse where others will. Same as some countries like the EU have a mandate to follow which is usually employ own citizen first then EU before the rest of the world exceptions would be if you are specialised in an area deemed to be classed as a shortage. At the end of the day you meet the country's requirements.

Back to topic, This is a great thread to discuss opportunities or disadvantages to studying outside your home country

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2008

Thank you all for your replies, I didn't make myself clear. There are many post here where US permanent residents go to school in places like the Philippines with the goal of returning to the US to practice nursing. There are so many questions like:

A. I returned to the US without taking my local test, but the board requires one.

B. My transcript is taking so long to be evaluated.

C. Why can't I practice in Florida without 2 years experience?

D. Why is it taking the BON so long to evaluate my transcripts?

E. Will it be harder to get a position since I am a foreign grad?

There are many more questions, to me why go through this aggravation if your goal is to return to the US, just go to school here, after 2 years you can be a RN, why go 4 years if you want to work in the US ?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 13, 2008

Some may feel it is cheaper and quicker to go abroad and really only then do they realise there is problems and that they are treated differently as in classed as a foreign nurse

MandaAnda · Oct 13, 2008

It just looks to me like those people may not have researched their decision to go abroad for studying fully. I knew I'd still have to take the NCLEX if I ever returned to the US, and I knew that I may have to do something to make me eligible, since UK training is now branch specific. So, even though I didn't intend to return to the US, now that I may do so, it's not that shocking to me what hoops I need to jump through. It was only a matter of finding out what those hoops were. But then, I anticipated I'd have to do something like this.