study abroad? (I know, I know....)

[GraceAbounds]

Hello everyone,

I know....I am already aware of just how ridiculous it is considered to attempt studying abroad while in a US nursing program. But I thought that I would put some "feelers" out to get a better sense of what might be possible!

Has anyone studied abroad as an undergraduate nursing student for just one semester?

Or is there a possibility of doing so more professionally while in graduate school (even research opportunities/volunteering as an RN short-term)?

I am pretty game for just about any country with English-speaking or Spanish-speaking schools.

Anecdotes of experience and info appreciated!

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I once met an NP who wanted, from the beginning, to do Peace Corps and healthcare related mission work. She graduated from some BSN program and then did her graduate in Eastern Kentucky University. This program has special, and very heavy accent on rural and underserved populations' advanced nursing practice. While doing that, she took two semesters to study in England in a special program preparing health care workers, doctors and nurses alike, to work in tropics. Apparently, it served her very well.

Taking a semester abroad makes sense but only under one condition: you know why you are doing it, and it is not because it suddenly sounded like a cool thing to try. If you know there is a good chance for you to emigrate, then it makes sense, even as an undergrad. Otherwise, wait till grad school - in case you are still itching, there quite probably will be possibilities of academic scholarships to work abroad, if you join high-level grad program with plenty of research in international nursing.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I second the grad school suggestion. Even if you decide to pursue something like an MPH you can use both nursing and "scratch the itch" for study abroad as part of your coursework