The trend of globalization has made it easier for professionals in many fields to find employment opportunities abroad. However, this does not necessarily apply to the medical field, particularly when it comes to foreign physicians in the United States. Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) are often required to take quite a few educational courses that may not have been part of their medical school curriculum abroad.
Where you earned your medical education impacts where you can practice medicine. For instance, the education needed to become a practicing doctor within the United States (US) requires years of education and clinical hours. For foreign-trained doctors living in the US, they will need to complete additional education on top of the degree they’ve already earned.
The Education System in the United States
In general, students who wish to practice medicine in the U.S. must first earn a college degree that includes at least three years of what is known as pre-med education. A Bachelor of Science degree in health science, chemistry, or biology usually fit into the pre-med mold, and some schools offer programs that are only pre-med focused on gaining admission into medical school. Once admitted, the next four years will be spent in pre-clinical and clinical education periods that culminate with graduation and the granting of a Doctor of Medicine degree before heading into internship and residency.
Why Additional Education?
Its said that the US has high-quality standards when it comes to medical education. While foreign doctors may have gone through an exceptional amount of quality training in their country, the American medical industry has requisite steps to confirm that foreign doctors looking to practice medicine in the US go through American educational training.
If you are a foreign doctor interested in practicing medicine in the US, then you’ll need to prepare to pass the US Medical Licensing Exams, get certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign-Trained Medical Graduates, enroll in a residency program, and then take a third licensing test.
Generally speaking, the curriculum for some overseas education usually focuses fieldwork (primarily hands-on knowledge and skills). US standards require that doctors are fluent in the English language and have a foundational math and science background in preparation for the core requirements set by medical schools accreditors such as:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- College Algebra
- Physics
- Calculus
- Biochemistry
- Research Writing
- Genetics
Starting All Over
Many doctors will have years of experiences diagnosing, treating patients, and administering medicine. However, to practice as a US doctor, most foreign trained doctors must start all over again academically.
FMGs whose medical education is deemed to be insufficient in areas such as algebra, biochemistry, physics, molecular biology, and research writing are bound to feel as if they have to start all over again in the U.S. Many become frustrated and take jobs unrelated to the medical field.
Foreign-trained doctors are critical to addressing these shortages, accounting for important shares of primary-care physicians in the United States. Nearly a third (31.8%) of all doctors specializing in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics—three specialties associated with primary healthcare—are foreign-trained.
Options for Foreign Doctors at Florida National University
Whereas many American doctors can practice in Europe and other places abroad with fewer hurdles, many foreign doctors come to the US on a working Visa. They work as Patient Care Technicians, Medical Assistants, or Registered Nurses. Some might even cross over onto the technical side of the healthcare industry and work as a lab technician.
To practice medicine in the US, the first thing to do is earn a pre-med degree. Florida National University has two degree options that would allow FMGs to enroll in medical school after graduation. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will certainly guide you toward a rewarding career in the healthcare industry.The Bachelors in Natural Science will prepare you to take the ECFMG certification exams and complete the match process. . You’ll study under the instruction of the professional faculty members who have years of experience in the field.
Florida National University is an accredited private college granting degrees in healthcare such as:
- Nursing
- Natural Sciences
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiologic Technology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The accreditation entities that recognize FNU as a degree-granting institution include:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Florida Board of Nursing
Florida National University recognizes diversity in its student body and the South Florida community. As a school that truly cares about the professional development of international students, Florida National University recommends the following paths for FMGs:
* Complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and work in the medical field, or continue on to a graduate degree program with our Master of Science in Nursing program without leaving FNU. The scope of registered nurses in Florida has greatly expanded in recent years, and a few choose to become nursing practitioners to advance their knowledge and become able to practice independently in healthcare.
* Complete the Bachelor in Natural Science program, which has many similarities to a pre-med degree program, and apply to medical school or follow the ECFMG pathway..
The Choice Is Yours!
In the end, FMGs should not feel dispirited by the challenging process they face with entering the medical field in the US. With Florida National University as an education partner, you have the peace of mind of an accredited institution that offers financial aid and scholarships to qualified applicants. With many options for foreign doctors in the USA in the healthcare sector, our Bachelor of Natural Science program can pave the way. If you are already working, you can take advantage of our online and hybrid education modalities. For more information about how Florida National University can help foreign doctors in the U.S., get in touch with an admissions counselor today.
