Russian MD and BSN

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Mar 4, 2009

i think the BON could give you some advice. congrats on being a RN and i wish you well !!

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2009

You completed an associates in Nursing then took the NCLEX?? Or did they just let you just sit for the exam or what? Now you want not just RN but want RN, BSN?? A little confused. I went to nursing school in an accelerated BSN program here in Rochester NY and had an MD from out of the country.....he got into the Accelerated BSN progam with his med school degree and I believed he continued on to a MSN/nurse practitioner program...he wanted to be able to practice at a provider level.... what is your goal? Do you want to stay in the RN level or are you wanting to be a practitioner?

VERYNEW · Mar 4, 2009

Hi,No they just let me sit for the NCLEX -RN since I graduated from nursing school in Russia.So having Nursing school And Med school (both Russians) under my belt I was wondering if I can evaluate all my credits into BSN.

And yes, you are right, I'm thinking about taking it to the next level /MSN / Any advice? Are you planing on something like this?

elkpark · Mar 4, 2009

I don't have any personal experience to share, but it seems to me that the obvious first step would be to talk to some of the BSN-granting universities in your area (and share your records with them) and see what they have to say about what you might need to do to earn a BSN through their programs. The schools should all have academic advisors (specific to the nursing programs). That would give you an idea of where you stand, academically.

Lena202 · Mar 4, 2009

i think they will not let you get credits for all of your classes and just give you the bsn without taking some of the courses in the us.

i also heard that md degree from russia is considered "over qualification" in new york city for majority of the nursing programs.

i would call couple of schools to see what they will do for your nursing school russian diploma and go from there.

may be you can find a combined bsn/msn program, where they will take part of your credits for bsn part and you'll only have to do msn.

sunray12 · Mar 4, 2009

i think they will not let you get credits for all of your classes and just give you the bsn without taking some of the courses in the us.
i also heard that md degree from russia is considered "over qualification" in new york city for majority of the nursing programs.
i would call couple of schools to see what they will do for your nursing school russian diploma and go from there.
may be you can find a combined bsn/msn program, where they will take part of your credits for bsn part and you'll only have to do msn.

there are quite a few foreign md's choosing to take the np route.

since you have your nursing license and a md you don't need a bsn - and would probably get more out of going in at the msn level. check out some schools and talk to their admissions office. they will look at your transcripts or refer you to a transcript evaluation service who will tell you what courses if any you need to take in order to qualify for admittance to a msn program.

zuzi · Mar 5, 2009

Look for Physician assistants programs like another option......compare after with MSN level and decide. Are special forums for Physician assistants programs, some of them on foreign MD forums.

You are US resident? Are good opportunities for PA if you are resident or citizen! Just you know your dreams!

Good luck!

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2009

Around here--in NY an NP is a masters and a PA is a Bachelors......so I would not reccommend that route..........Also after reading your reply I was reminded of a nurse I once met who floated to help out my unit one time........She was from Russia and I talked with her quite a bit about her background........I remember here telling me she was acutally in the middle of her schooling for MD when she had to drop out as she no longer was able to pay for it......she told me in Russia all MDs have to go through nursing school first and even do clinicals.....then you do the MD part of the training.She was working as an RN and loved it. ......I was totally unaware of this until she shared her expereinces with me.......I was really interested and intrigued. This is a very interesting concept and maybe if they did things like that here in the US there would be a little better understanding between RNs and MDs and less disrespect for nurses by many of the MDs. They would understand much better just what knowledge an RN does have and what it is like to work as a nurse. So anyways..........I would say you have gotten some good advice from the other posters here-- I would go to a BSN program director with all your transcripts and see what they say. You may be able to get right in to a MSN program or maybe just have to take a couple of classes.

Me? I did want to get my masters and did actually get accepted for the RN to MSN program but changed my mind then and just did the BSN RN....I have wanted ot back on and off for years now and recently have been thinking about a masters but more in the psychology area. I want to be able to do counseling or work with the police doing forensic psychology. Not sure right now.

VERYNEW · Mar 5, 2009

Thank you,guys for your input:bow:

goldengate · Aug 2, 2009

Hi Very New,

Have your nursing credits evaluated by companies who do just that. Google using the key words [foreign education evaluators]. They have a fee schedule. It takes a while because your school in Russia will have to send your transcripts directly to them. They will ananlyze and convert your grades from Russian system to US system and they will indicate in their report whether your BSN from Russia is equivalent to the BSN in the US.

Good luck!

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2009

If you have an MD from Russia why on earth would you not go for the ECFMG?