Will my MSN degree be recognized to another country?

steppybay · Apr 11, 2016

(I posted the same thing earlier but i think "masterals" is not commonly used, and there is no edit so i just posted a new topic.)
Is it advisable to study MSN after taking NCLEX? Or do i need experience first?
Is is better to take MSN with or without thesis?
ll my MSN degree be recognized to another country? I'm planning to take it here in the Philippines, but will soon be working in US.

Why do you feel you need to take the MSN in the PH to soon be working in the US? If you already passed the NCLEX-RN, then just start the process for getting a job.

I'm assuming that you already have the legal presence and or legal work rights for the US (work visa, green card, PR status, EAD card, all with a valid work authorized SSN or ITIN or a dual citizen).

If you're planning to get the MSN from the PH and wish to use it to be able to either endorse your RN license (from one state) and into CA (the most popular state for 33% of most PH grads and nurses), it will not meet the concurrency rules nor be approved by the CA BRN to satisfy any possible deficiencies.

If you're planning to get the ATT for CA (as another example) to take the NCLEX-RN, it will not be approved for that either.

There have been a few previous posters here from the PH and they all reported the CA BRN did not approve of the MSN from the PH.

The reason is that the BSN degree foundation from the PH will not have met the CA BRN concurrency or meet the minimum sufficient courses, so obtaining the MSN in the PH has no bearing on the Phils BSN degree being able to give extra support to meet the CA BRN minimum educational requirements.

WrekDiver88 · Apr 18, 2016

It will depend on the type of MSN degree you get. An advanced practice program such as an NP, CRNA, or CNS from outside the U.S. will very likely not be recognized; while a general, education, or administration MSN degree does not grant an additional license beyond the BSN (RN) you have already obtained, so the board of nursing would not be concerned with it, the same as if you had done an MBA, or MPH for instance.

The biggest problem you could potentially run into is U.S. schools' may not recognize it if you want to continue your education here. Employers may also have varying views of it as well, but I would guess most would recognize it, if for say you wanted to work in management that required an MSN, or it qualified you for a higher pay. It would be a safer bet to do your MSN in the U.S., but an MSN here will cost $10,000 - $60,000 per year vs. $200 - $1000 there.