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Published on: June 21, 2010
Transitioning from physician to nurse practitioner.
Monica Flowers1, Maria Olenick1
1College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
Foreign-educated physicians can overcome practice barriers in the USA through nursing programs. Florida International University offers a pathway for these international medical graduates to become nurse practitioners and serve communities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Policy
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Foreign-educated physicians (FEPs), or international medical graduates, are a valuable but underutilized resource for primary care.
- FEPs possess high medical knowledge and skills, alongside diverse cultural backgrounds beneficial for patient care.
- Significant barriers hinder FEPs from practicing medicine in the USA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how FEPs can continue practicing medicine in the USA.
- To highlight the role of nursing programs in addressing FEPs' career challenges.
- To examine Florida International University's program as a solution for FEPs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the challenges faced by foreign-educated physicians in the US healthcare system.
- Review of the curriculum and objectives of Florida International University's nursing program for FEPs.
- Assessment of the potential impact of nurse practitioners on healthcare delivery.
Main Results:
- FEPs encounter substantial obstacles in relicensing and practicing in the US.
- The nursing program at FIU provides a structured pathway for FEPs to transition into advanced practice.
- Graduates can address primary care needs, leveraging their existing medical expertise.
Conclusions:
- The FIU nursing program effectively enables foreign-educated physicians to become nurse practitioners.
- This initiative helps mitigate physician shortages and enhances healthcare access.
- Supporting FEPs in advanced nursing roles is a viable strategy for the US healthcare system.

