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!
@LivOnTheGoHello, I have not joined the U.S. Army because they cannot guarantee that I can get in unless I go on active duty. I only plan to serve in the reserve. This was before covid.
Thank you for the update. I'm planning to complete my nursing degree in Germany and would like to join the reserves as well, but I haven't found much promising information about being able to do so. I know they couldn't guarantee it for you, but did you apply for the reserves anyway?
Thank you for the update. I'm planning to complete my nursing degree in Germany and would like to join the reserves as well, but I haven't found much promising information about being able to do so. I know they couldn't guarantee it for you, but did you apply for the reserves anyway?
RNs must have 1 year of full time experience to join the reserves at the time of commissioning. Only active duty takes new grads. That's the same for all 3 branches. As the application process generally takes 1 year, you could start applying after graduation and be fine.
Typically, foreign RNs find it most fruitful to do an online MSN in nursing leadership, administration, or informatics. Generally these degrees can be done without clinical rotations and can require as little as 32-34 credits. You'll come in with higher rank than someone who did another BSN.
RNs must have 1 year of full time experience to join the reserves at the time of commissioning. Only active duty takes new grads. That's the same for all 3 branches. As the application process generally takes 1 year, you could start applying after graduation and be fine.
Typically, foreign RNs find it most fruitful to do an online MSN in nursing leadership, administration, or informatics. Generally these degrees can be done without clinical rotations and can require as little as 32-34 credits. You'll come in with higher rank than someone who did another BSN.
I did this path, check out western governor university. I finish my MSN in 6 months for just around $4000. im on the process now on joining now
Please can you share more about them accepting WGU degree?
Well the requirements is an accredited nursing degree from US. So based on my research the fastest online degree that I could get is thru WGU or Capella. I chose WGU because I have coworkers that did it thru them. The program is MSN in nursing leadership. Program is a 2 year program but you can take as much classes as you want so I finished it in 6 months. All classes are competency type you can challenge the class and if you pass your good for the next one. It's all essay except for one test. So every class has assigned essays and papers to do if you finished it and they check it your good
Well the requirements is an accredited nursing degree from US. So based on my research the fastest online degree that I could get is thru WGU or Capella. I chose WGU because I have coworkers that did it thru them. The program is MSN in nursing leadership. Program is a 2 year program but you can take as much classes as you want so I finished it in 6 months. All classes are competency type you can challenge the class and if you pass your good for the next one. It's all essay except for one test. So every class has assigned essays and papers to do if you finished it and they check it your good
Hi were you able to finish the MSN leadership in 6mos? If so did your recruiter accepted it. I spoke to a recruiter and told me that if im getting an MSN it should be applicable to the current position im in right now as a nurse and right noe im a behavioral health and MS nurse, so he is advising tho get MSN FNP or Psych NP Program.
I was just thinking of getting the 6mos MSN leadership or informatics at WGU just to have a US accredited school
Alyx C
13 Posts
Sure!