Questions about taking ADN or BSN from USA to Overseas due to Military Reassignment

[nrichiez]

Hello! I just have a few questions. I am currently going to school for Nursing. I am in the process of obtaining my Associates and than I wanted to go for my Bachelors and eventually my Masters in a specific area. My husband is in the military. When he gets his next reassignment I will still have a semester left of school. So he is thinking of seeing if they can extend his time where we are currently located or I would just move at the end of the semester. What I wanted to know is when he gets stationed overseas will I be able to take and use my degree? Or being that I obtained the degree in the USA I cannot use it overseas? I know the VA hospitals allow the degree to Tavel but I have not looked into it much. I'm just afraid I will not be able to work as a nurse overseas and my degree will just be useless. Also are there nursing schools overseas I can attend to get my bachelors and masters and still be used in the USA? Or is my best bet to just stay in the USA until I finish my entire degree and just follow him later on? I'm fairly new to the whole military life and I just feel lost. If anyone can help answer my questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

You can work on the military base with a US degree.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I don't know much about how the military works, but it is my understanding that any degree obtained in a different country does not apply here to the U.S. You see stories all of the time of people who are doctors and engineers in other countries that have to start all over here. There are many nurses in this forum that come here and I know they have to take the NCLEX at least. Hopefully you will complete that before leaving. When your husband gets reassigned I would look into schools in that area and what their regulations are. That would be your best bet.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Most countries require a minimum of a BSN to practice nursing. Online RN to BSN conversions are rarely accepted outside the US. Countries like the UK often require significantly more school clinical hours than US schools offer. Some countries like the Philippines will not license anyone who is not a citizen of their country. Most countries require the BSN, fluency in the local language (as per a standard test ) as well as fluency in the language for medical terminology, plus work rights. Aside from VA & military bases, EU countries give preference to EU citizens per regulations.

[farley15]

Another thing which will be difficult for you is that even in areas where you would be hired, you usually have to obtain a local license. The difficulty for you there, is in countries I have lived and worked in, you need to have a minimum of experience to get that.

Another thought is just to continue your RN to BSN on line while overseas, and work on base even as a substitute, or per diem if possible. I assume you will eventually be returning to the US and could then practice. You should also check out International schools, some US companies with international offices hire US nurses to work in their on site infirmaries, or as an on call nurse for emergencies.

Research job opportunities for international nurses on line in the possible countries your husband could be posted to.

Hope this helps a bit.