Foreign-Educated Physician (Academic)-to-BSN Track

Accreditation
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) offers a professional program of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The BSN program was approved by the Board of Regents of the State University System in 1982. The program is open to non-RN (basic/generic) and RN students. The CNHS BSN & MSN programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), (61 Broadway, New York, New York 10006, 1-800-669-1656 X153) and approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing, (4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN CO2, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-245-4125).

Introduction
The School of Nursing at Florida International University was granted approval in June, 1998 by the Florida Board of Nursing to offer a track for foreign-educated physicians who expressed a desire to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The initial request for this track came from a group of Cuban physicians, supported by state legislators and Dade County officials.

The BSN program provides a pathway for individuals with health care knowledge and skills to gain employment as registered nurses, thereby assisting to alleviate the nursing shortage and improving the socio-economic conditions for this group of immigrants. Given the magnitude of the nursing shortage in Florida, with some 26,000 registered nurses (RNs) needed now and a RN vacancy rate of 15.7%, the large pool of foreign physicians comprise an available population from which to draw potential RNs with baccalaureate preparation.

The School began implementation of the track in May, 2002 admitting an initial cohort of 40 students with funding from HCA Health Care East Florida Division, Mercy Hospital, Kendall Medical Center, and Cedars Medical Center. Classes are scheduled on weekday evenings and on weekends.The track is based on the FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus.

Admission Requirements
The nursing faculty voted on April 24, 1998 and the Florida Board of Nursing approved in June 1998 that the potential candidates must:

• Have legal status in the United States (U.S. resident or citizen). Must have a work permit.
• Obtain a TOEFL score of 550 (FIU requirement) before being admitted to the program.
• Complete all general education* and nursing prerequisite coursework prior to starting nursing courses.
• Follow the same program of study as the Basic (Generic BSN) students.
• Take an extensive exit examination in preparation for the NCLEX.

To be considered for admission, applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher with no repeats in science courses because of failure, have completed science courses within the past 10 years, have met all the lower division requirements including CLAST, have completed 60 semester hours*, have met entry requirements for computation and reading skills, and be recommended for admission by the Undergraduate Nursing Admissions Committee.

Admission Consideration: Steps to be Completed

For information on the Foreign Educated MD-BSN admission process, contact:

• College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS)
  Foreign Educated Physician-BSN Track
  Biscayne Bay Campus
  (305) 919-4421

If you wish to be considered for admission, please do the following:

• Take the TOEFL examination and arrange to have two (2) sets of TOEFL scores sent, one (1) OFFICIAL COPY to Florida International University Admissions Office, Miami, FL 33199-0001 and one (1) UNOFFICIAL COPY to CNHS, Undergraduate Nursing Program, Biscayne Bay Campus, AC 2, Room 200, 3000 N.E. 151st Street, North Miami, Florida 33181.
• Complete and submit the online FIU application with the required application fee.  An applicant can also obtain an application from the Office of Admissions and return it to the FIU Office of Admissions, Miami, FL 33199-0001. NOTE:  Please complete and/or send the FIU application before requesting transcripts.
• Submit a completed Foreign Physicians Nursing Program Application, together with your essay, to CNHS, Undergraduate Nursing Program, Biscayne Bay Campus, AC 2, Room 200, 3000 N.E. 151st Street, North Miami, Florida 33181.
• Request that the medical school you attended send one original transcript in a sealed envelope to the FIU Admissions Office.
• Arrange to have an original transcript from your Foreign Medical School translated to English and evaluated from the following National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES):

• The official evaluation of your transcript must be forwarded directly from the evaluation agency to
  • a) FIU Admissions Office and
  • b) CNHS, Undergraduate Nursing Program, Biscayne Bay Campus 
     
• Take the Nurse Entrance Test (NET).  http://testing.fiu.edu/  Test scores must be submitted to the CNHS by the application deadline.

• Scholarships may be available to nursing students. For information on whether you qualify for financial aid through FIU, click on the following link: FIU Financial Aid   For scholarships available through the University, click on the following link: FIU Scholarships  For nursing scholarships , click on the following link: CNHS Nursing Scholarships

You will be considered for admission only if you have submitted all the required documents. If you wish to receive the above application forms, please contact:

• CNHS Foreign Educated Physician-BSN Track
  Biscayne Bay Campus
  (305) 919-4421

Program of Study
For students who cannot provide documentation of successful completion of an equivalent baccalaureate or higher degree, FIU core curriculum requirements, including State of Florida Gordon Rule/CLAST requirements, must be completed. Verification of prior academic credentials will be done by the Office of Admissions at Florida International University.

The Florida Board of Nursing and clinical agencies require the disclosure of conviction records for misdemeanors and/or felonies; therefore, this information is required at the time of application.  Applicants are required to submit to state and federal background checks at the time of admission. In addition, some clinical agencies require drug testing on entry to the agency. Findings in background checks may affect a student's ability to participate in clinical experiences and complete the program, and/or obtain registered nurse licensure. For FIU's policies and procedures related to substance abuse, click here If you have questions about the background check, contact Ms. Paula Delpech, Director of Biscayne Bay Campus, 305-919-4421.

Nursing majors are responsible for transportation expenses related to clinical experiences. They are required to carry health and accident insurance. To safeguard the health of both nursing students and their clients, students must submit proof of health examination and required immunizations on entry into the track. Students must submit proof of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification prior to entering clinical courses in the track. CPR certification, immunizations, and health insurance must be kept current during enrollment in the major.

In addition to undergraduate tuition and fees (see FIU Tuition & Fees), nursing students are charged an additional fee of $83/credit for clinical courses (courses with an L suffix). The additional fee supports clinical instructional costs, a testing program, and laboratory/technology supplies and costs.

The student is expected to exhibit behavior that conforms to the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Florida. The School of Nursing reserves the right to refuse or discontinue enrollment of any student if the student violates the Nurse Practice Act of the State of Florida or, in the judgment of the faculty, the student does not meet the school’s standards.

NOTE: Florida International University and College of Nursing and Health Sciences' policies, procedures, requirements and regulations are continually subject to review in order to serve the needs of the University/College’s publics and to respond to the mandates of the Florida Department of Education, Board of Governors, the Legislature, and other regulatory and accrediting agencies.  Changes in programs, policies, procedures, requirements, and regulations may be made without advance notice.