Transitioning foreign-educated physicians to nurses: the New Americans in Nursing accelerated program.

The innovative New Americans in Nursing accelerated program targets foreign-educated physicians (FEPs) residing in the United States who are either unemployed or underemployed and desire to become nurses. With a five-semester baccalaureate nursing curriculum, students are awarded credit for general education and science prerequisite courses completed in medical school and matriculate for 63 credits of nursing courses. Measurement of program outcomes provides evidence that FEPs socialize to nursing at the same level, exhibit significantly greater critical thinking skills, and have higher NCLEX-RN pass rates than generic baccalaureate nursing students. The program is a valuable option not only in addressing the critical and continuing nursing shortage, but also in diversifying the nursing workforce in response to health disparities and the increasing diversity of the U.S. population.