Working for military with foreign degree

Specialties Government

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Specializes in PICU.

I'm a US citizen, but I earned a BSN in Australia in 2013. I got my CGFNS eval in 2015, which said I was deficient in obstetrics and psych. To rectify that, I completed those classes at an ACEN certified for-profit college in Florida in 2016, and got an associate's degree.

Now, I'm applying for positions at military hospitals, and am considering joining a service. However, I am running into issues with my bachelor's degree not being accepted, even though CGFNS said it was comparable to a US degree, except for my obstetric/psych, which I did complete in the US. My education was fine for WA state; I've been working at a nurse here for almost 3 years.

Has anyone been in my situation and have any advice? I've contacted some military recruiters and am waiting to hear back. It's been hard to find anyone at a military facility to speak to. I've been considering doing an rn-bsn (hoping that most of the credits from Australia will transfer) or doing a Master's degree. I'm just not sure what the best option might be, so any advice would be greatly appreicated!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I believe the military requires your BSN to be CCNE or ACEN accredited, so yes — look into an RN-to-BSN program!

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Hi. We have a similar situation. I had my BSN in the Philippines back in 2013. Got it evaluated by CGFNS through Professional Credential Evaluation report and is all similar to a BSN degree here in the U.S. I passed NCLEX and became a nurse last Aug 2015. Worked as a licensed nurse in the state of Nevada until now. I became a U.S. citizen last year Oct 2019. I wanted to serve in the military, airforce branch. However, my school back in the Philippines is not CCNE or ACEN accredited (obviously). I've asked the airforce recruiter if I can appeal my case but he told me that my current situation is not waiverable. I think at the very least they should consider a nurse work experience in the U.S. and not only require that you came from a U.S. accredited nursing school. I'm disappointed and I think it is unfair. My patients who were veterans were my inspiration. I'll try to ask another military branches.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
10 hours ago, Alyx C said:

I'll try to ask another military branches.

You're probably going to get the same answer; this is pretty standard across the board. Your best option is to do an MSN program at a US school and then try again.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

An RN/ADN to MSN program would make you most competitive when applying. It would be more work up front, but it would allow you to come in at a higher rank too. A nurse with an MSN and at least 4 years of full time RN experience in the U.S. would enter as an O-3.

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Thanks for the info! I applied for army nurse once with my CA license too, but they don't accept my Master of Nursing degree from Hong Kong. So I would need to get a RN-BSN from an accredited school in U.S. Hope will get some credits transfer!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Or just get another master's degree from a U.S. school.

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Specializes in Dialysis,Stepdown, Cardiothoracic ICU.

Any news yet for foreign nursing graduates joining the military?

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It is impossible to join the U.S. airforce if you have a foreign nursing degree. Unless you go back to study RN-BSN as they suggested or take a masters degree. I’ve talked to the head of U.S. airforce nursing recruitment about this info.

then I talked to the U.S. Army medical professions recruiter where he told me that they do accept foreign nursing degree if you had your credentials evaluated by ECE or other accredited credential evaluators under NACES.

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Specializes in Dialysis,Stepdown, Cardiothoracic ICU.
12 hours ago, Alyx C said:

It is impossible to join the U.S. airforce if you have a foreign nursing degree. Unless you go back to study RN-BSN as they suggested or take a masters degree. I’ve talked to the head of U.S. airforce nursing recruitment about this info.

then I talked to the U.S. Army medical professions recruiter where he told me that they do accept foreign nursing degree if you had your credentials evaluated by ECE or other accredited credential evaluators under NACES.

Thank you for the update. Are you applying in the Army then?

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You’re welcome. No not right now. I’m studying for MSN-FNP right. Maybe when I’m done. How about you?

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Specializes in Dialysis,Stepdown, Cardiothoracic ICU.
On 5/9/2020 at 12:53 PM, Alyx C said:

You’re welcome. No not right now. I’m studying for MSN-FNP right. Maybe when I’m done. How about you?

Hi. Can I pm you?

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