US citizen with foreign education?

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I am new to these boards and it seems like there is a wealth of information here! I haven't found the answer to my question though in skimming through some posts. So maybe someone can help.

I am a US citizen, but a current resident of Sweden. I will be starting nursing school in the fall here in Sweden and will be what I think might be the equiv. of an LVN/LPN once I finish. My question is, what would I have to do to get certified in the States if we decide to move back in a few years. All of the information I have found seems to be for those with a foreign education who are not US citizens. Is the process different for me?

Thanks in advance!

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The process of validating your nursing education will be the same as it is for a Swedish nurse. The only difference will be that you obviously don't have to worry about immigration junk and you would probably be able to get out of having to prove your skills in conversational English.

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I am new to these boards and it seems like there is a wealth of information here! I haven't found the answer to my question though in skimming through some posts. So maybe someone can help.

I am a US citizen, but a current resident of Sweden. I will be starting nursing school in the fall here in Sweden and will be what I think might be the equiv. of an LVN/LPN once I finish. My question is, what would I have to do to get certified in the States if we decide to move back in a few years. All of the information I have found seems to be for those with a foreign education who are not US citizens. Is the process different for me?

Thanks in advance!

I know one nurse, oh haven't thoguth of her in nearly 20 years! Thank you for the reminder, delightful person!

Anyway, her dad was military. They lived abroad. She was educated in England. She was a nurse-midwife. When she came here, she was permitted (with proof of education) allowed to sit for the LPN boards.

Don't know about Swedish education, but I would think you would be allowed to sit with a diploma/degree from there too.

If I were you, I would send an email to several BONs in states where you would most likely return to. They would be able to tell you.

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You will need to submit validation of your nursing curriulum with your completed transcripts to the Board of Nursing in the state where you are planning on working. It is up to them whether the accept the classes, or not.

They have the final say. If approved, you will then sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. You will not have to deal with any of the immigration headaches as you are already a US citizen.

Hope that this helps................. :balloons:

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Thanks everyone for the replies!

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Hiya,

I know I have posted on several message threads but I think this one fits me the most. I am also looking to come back to the states and have an Advanced Diploma in Nursing studies. I know I need to take the exams but it's all about where I start, what I need to study how much I need to study when I need to apply, I know I can apply for the CFGNS (spelling?) here and am planning to take it in August. Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Wendi

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Hiya,

I know I have posted on several message threads but I think this one fits me the most. I am also looking to come back to the states and have an Advanced Diploma in Nursing studies. I know I need to take the exams but it's all about where I start, what I need to study how much I need to study when I need to apply, I know I can apply for the CFGNS (spelling?) here and am planning to take it in August. Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Wendi

I think that you need to get the correct information. There is no CGFNS exam in August. It is given three times per year, in March, July, and November. Deadline for the November exam is August.

Have you taken classes in Maternal/Child Health and Mental Health is you trained in the UK? If not, you will need to take those before you will be permitted to sit for any exam, NCLEX or CGFNS. If you are an American citizen then you do not need Visa Screen.

Before you worry about CGFNS, where are you planning on working? Many states now only require a credentials verification from CGFNS and not the exam. You will however have to write thte NCLEX exam after you get permission from a board of nursing to do so.

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ok I know I have had some theoretical classes in Maternity/Children/Mental Health/Mother and baby, so I think they will see that's enough. Thanks for telling me about them only needing my credentials, I can't honestly see myself taking the english test :rotfl: born and raised in Arizona, lived in England for 5 years. Anyway, I'm not sure where I will be, highest possibility Louisiana, just depends on if my partner gets a job in North Carolina or not. Good thing is we both have jobs that are required everywhere. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.

Wendi :balloons:

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Theory hours alone do not qualify. You must have clinical hours also in an approved program, not hours that you put together under a tutor.

Before you make any serious plans, I would submit my documents to CGFNS and see if they are accepted. Worse thing that could happen, you would have to make up the time and you can easily do that in the US.

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Thanks everyone for the replies!

ONce you have graduated from a US nursing program, you are a US graduate, although perhaps a foreign national without work authorization. To obtain work authorization in US, there would be several options. For the employment based immigrant visa, the LPN does not qualify. If you were to obtain work authorizaiton from some source, for example marriage to US citizen, you could then work. You would need to obtain a valid license in the state of your desired job and home. Some states now have a practice requirement. For example, AZ has as of April 1, 2004 instituted such a requirement. Any nurse applying for renewal or new or endorsed license must have practiced at least 960 hours in the last 4 years. Is not, the nurse is required to completed an approved refresher course in order to obtain the license.

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ONce you have graduated from a US nursing program, you are a US graduate, although perhaps a foreign national without work authorization. To obtain work authorization in US, there would be several options. For the employment based immigrant visa, the LPN does not qualify. If you were to obtain work authorizaiton from some source, for example marriage to US citizen, you could then work. You would need to obtain a valid license in the state of your desired job and home. Some states now have a practice requirement. For example, AZ has as of April 1, 2004 instituted such a requirement. Any nurse applying for renewal or new or endorsed license must have practiced at least 960 hours in the last 4 years. Is not, the nurse is required to completed an approved refresher course in order to obtain the license.

The poster is already an American citizen. She is attending school overseas.

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