How can an RN Nurse, who graduated in Puerto Rico, work in the U.S.? My license is not valid in Florida.?

	How can an RN Nurse, who graduated in Puerto Rico, work in the U.S.? My license is not valid in Florida.? I like to find a job as an RN Nurse but I cannot use my license. Does anyone has gone through a similar situation?. Asked By: Nekey - 8/29/2011

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Did you apply for licensure in Florida yet? https://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/DOHInitialApp/login.aspx If you did and were rejected based on the fact your education was not comparable to what is required in the US, you either need to earn a degree here in the States from an accredited school of nursing or chose another career. Also, since the "N" in "RN" stands for nurse, you can simply say RN without adding the extra "nurse" at the end of it. Answered By: >(^._.^)< - 8/29/2011

Additional Answers ()

You would have to apply for a nursing license and pass the NCLEX in order to work in the US as a nurse. Answered By: Lori - 8/29/2011

Go to the wed site list below to see the list of states. What Every Medical Student and Doctor in Puerto Rico Should Know Leaving Puerto Rico It's becoming increasingly more difficult for Puerto Rican doctors to get licensed in other states. Many state boards are denying reciprocity with Puerto Rico due to the fraudulent acts of several unethical and unqualified doctors and a handful of corrupt medical board members. Even though Puerto Rico is a US territory, the validity of their state medical examination is in question. According to the August 2, 2007 article in USA Today, a federal grand jury indicted 88 doctors following an investigation into members of the U.S. Caribbean territory's medical licensing board, who allegedly altered low-scoring tests to certify unqualified candidates. Almost three months later, federal agents carried out another round of raids across the U.S. territory, arresting dozens more as part of the scandal. To date the total number charged has risen to 113. According to an article in CubaNews, Rep. Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló, chairman of the Puerto Rican House committee on health, became suspicious of the licensing board when he learned of complaints that it was not moving fast enough to review malpractice claims. This opened an investigation which lead to finding much more than the chairman ever imagined; a medical board's worst nightmare. Bribery and Corruption at the Puerto Rico Board of Medicine The charges alleged that employees of the medical board altered test scores to certify unqualified candidates. The doctors, mostly graduates from foreign medical schools in the Dominican Republic, Mexico or Cuba, paid board members as much as $10,000 to alter test results and subsequently obtain a license to practice medicine in Puerto Rico. Most of the physicians charged were actively practicing medicine in Puerto Rico. Even though many states had reciprocity with Puerto Rico at the time; the New York Times reported that none of the suspects were known to have obtained licensure or practiced medicine in any of the other states. It is unknown how long this fraudulent activity had been going on. Investigators are looking into the validity of licenses issued between 2001 and 2005 but believe that the corruption dates back even further. What Exams You Should Take As a result of this investigation, fewer and fewer of the states are accepting the Puerto Rico State Board Exam. Even doctors who have been practicing in Puerto Rico for years and years may have to take additional examinations if they want to practice in the majority of states in the US. The only examination available now is the USMLE, the United States Medical Licensing Examination. It is a 3 part exam given by the FSMB, the Federation of State Medical Boards. Puerto Rico is the only state that still offers a state board exam. All other states offer the USMLE which is now the nationally accepted examination. Most physicians who graduate from medical school in Puerto Rico don't take the USMLE since the Puerto Rico State Board Exam is all they need to practice in Puerto Rico. Many foreign medical school graduates from neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic and Cuba are also permitted to practice medicine with only the Puerto Rico State Board Exam whereas all other states require foreign medical school graduates take and pass the ECFMG (Education Commission for Foreign Medical School Graduates) exam which consists of USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS and includes an examination of written and spoken English. Most medical students begin taking step 1 of the USMLE during their second or third year of medical school and study for and pass one step each year. However, many students take the exams as quickly as possible to get it over with. You may take the exams as many times as you want but be aware that many states have rules regarding attempt limits and time limits. Try to pass each step within 3 attempts and complete all 3 exams within 7 years of taking the first step to maximize your licensing options. The FSMB has this chart to show what each state requires. Licensing Options For those physicians who have only passed the Puerto Rico State Board Exam there are still a few options. As it stands right now, the following states accept the Puerto Rico State Board Exam. I've included the special stipulations for each state. Source(s): www.medprocentral.com/blog Answered By: Obama is a loser - 8/29/2011

You have to APPLY for a state license in whatever US state you want to work in. It means you have to contact the Florida Board of Medicine and apply for a RN license. Answered By: anonymous - 8/29/2011

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