Nursing Information

applicants from other countries | prescriptive authority

Important Informaton for Applicants from other Countries

Licensure

Applicants admitted to the Master's Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia programs who have had education outside the United States and do not have a nursing license from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, another U.S. state, or Canada must become licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before matriculation in the Master's Nurse Practitioner program. Applicants admitted to the Advances Specialty Roles (Informatics, Education, Administration, and Research) will probably not be required to be licensed, unless their program includes a clinical component. Depending on the research focus, applicants to the Doctoral program may not be required to obtain a license in Pennsylvania.There are two steps required in the process of obtaining a nursing license form the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

1. The first step is the satisfactory completion of both parts of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination. Unless you are currently in the United States, you will need to take the CGFNS examination in your country, early enough to allow scores to be reported in enough time to enable you to complete step two of the process.
   
2. Upon passing both parts of the CGFNS examination, the Second step is passing the State Board Examination (NCLEX) for Pennsylvania. This examination is taken in Pennsylvania before you start the Master's program.

The following information has been provided by the Office of International Services:

Financial Support:

The Office of International Services will not issue a visa document until a student has been admitted to an academic program and has submitted acceptable documentation of financial support for the entire program of studies, not just the first year alone. Acceptable documentation is one of the following:

1. A completed, signed and dated University of Pittsburgh Financial Support Statement completed by yourself or a source(s) of financial support. Supporting documentation such as a bank statement must accompany a completed Financial Support Statement.
   
   
2. An official letter of financial support from a sponsoring or government agency that will provide financial support for your entire program of studies. A sponsor letter must state the amount of money in U.S. dollars that will be provided per year or that full tuition support is provided and that an additional amount is stated that will be provided for your living expenses.

If the University of Pittsburgh is to invoice the sponsoring agency, the sponsoring agency's letter of support must request the University to send an invoice and clearly state the name and address of the person to whom an invoice for tuition should be sent.

Student Expenses:

The cost of living in the United States is very high. It is not possible to predict the exact expenses required to attend the University of Pittsburgh, as expenses do vary according to individual tastes, habits, and the actual cost of living. However, the cost estimate should help you to anticipate your expenses. You should note that the estimated tutition listed added to the minimum amount of fianancial support that must be available to you per year to enable the Office of International services to issue a visa document.

Family Expenses:

Students who are married and plan to have their spouse and/or children accompany them to the United States, or join them at a later date, are required to submit evidence of additional financial support as indicated on the Financial Support Statement.

For more information, please contact the University of Pittsburgh Office of International Services.

Prescriptive Authority

Application Process

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has posted the steps of the application process on their website. The two forms that are necessary to apply for prescriptive authority, the Application for CRNP Prescriptive Authority and Verification of Advanced Pharmacology, are available for download at the PA State Board of Nursing website as well. Please refer to the PA State Board of Nursing website for complete information.

University of Pittsburgh graduates who are interested in obtaining verification of advanced pharmacology should mail or deliver the State Board verification form to the School of Nursing along with the following:

• Name
• Current Mailing Address
• Current Phone Number or E-mail Address
• Social Security Number
• Date of Graduation
• Program Completed

The verification form, along with the above information, should be sent to:

• Student Services Office
• School of Nursing
• University of Pittsburgh
• 239 Victoria Building
• Pittsburgh, PA 15261
• 1-800-747-0794
• Email:sao50@pitt.edu
• Fax: 412-624-2409