Standards of Nursing Practice/ IEN Train Nursing

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

US nursing education may not be perfect but the Boards of Nursing do check that each schools of nursing meets min standards.

Reading other parts of this board, I am reading an alarming trend. Americans or Immigrants with green cards are returning to other countries for nursing education. The reason is easy admission and cost. Many of these schools have instructors who have never worked as nurses. The plan is to come back and practice in the USA once they have passed the NCLEX. Some of these countries, IV therapy is not done by nurses therefore they have no training in managing IV therapy.

There is also another group of foreign nurses who are lobbying for easier immigration laws so they can come practice in the USA. Personally, I feel that there is not a nursing shortage and there in no need for looser immigration laws for nurses. I try to keep current with immigration issues and as long as Americans are unemployed I don't see the need for importing labor. I know many with criticize me for being selfish but since I have been paying taxes and supporting this country I do feel Americans should come first,

My concern, nursing needs certain safety practices. Many countries make IEN ( International Educated Nurses) complete a bridge program before issuing a nursing license. To me this seems like the best way to ensure nursing standards and patient safety is ensured. I know there are many test that check English and nursing knowledge, but after reading that IEN do not have competent clinical instructors , in my opinion I feel that IEN clinical skills need to be evaluated. Physicians require this of their internationally trained docs so why not nurses.