Agencies and contracts -- revisited

[suzanne4]

I am not against agencies in general, but only the ones that take advantage of nurses.

Things to consider when going the route of using an agency:

1. There is absolutely no such thing as free exams, free green card, or free plane fare and expenses paid. It will come from your paycheck.

2. Agencies can be paid in one of several ways: 100% by the hiring facility if they direct place you, by the facility as well as the nurse, or by charging the nurse a significant fee before they leave their country such as India, in addition to getting paid by the facility. In India, they call it a bond, but I have failed to see one get that bond returned when they complete their assignment. Or by keelping the nurse as their employee and getting the billing rate from the facility.

3. Make sure that you have taken the NCLEX exam before you arrive in the US, or you may find that you will not get paid until you pass that exam. In many contracts, look closely, it states that you will be paid as a CNA until you pass that exam, and many agencies will not even submit documentation to the BON until you arrive. This also adds months onto your contract, as it states "work as an RN."

4. If living arrangements are made for housing in the beginning, have it specified as to what it will be in writing. We have seen 10 people placed in a studio apt in NY and without heat in the winter; or eight women in a four bedroom apt with only one shower, and a small kitchen. Please be very careful with this.

5. If it is not in writing, it does not exist. A verbal condition from a recruiter does not hold water in a court of law, it must be in writing.

6. If an agency tells you that you need to write the CGFNS exam to work in the US, run from them. That has not been factual in several years. The CGFNS exam is only required in five states currently. Howver, if you live on a continent where the exam is not given, and too costly to travel that is another story....

Please be very careful before you sign anything, much easier to have it checked out before you sign. It is a legal binding contract, inlcuding the cancellation clause that some have added to go into effect even before you take the NCLEX exam. Also be cautious of large cancellation fees, $8,000 to $10,000 could be considered reasonable, but $25,000 and above is crazy. A guarantor also should not be required to sign your contract.

Always be an informed consumer!

[suzanne4, RN]

I know one agency that recruits nurses from the Philippines where the applicants don't have to pay for anything...as in $ 0. Applicants will be interviewed via video conference/ or one-on-one. If hired, agency will manage all the requirements. Employer will pay for everything...as in everything ( reviews, plane fare {for exams and going to US}, NCLEX/ IELTS fees, immigration fees). Then the employer also pays the recruiter per head, once the nurses gets here.

And they also cannot even offer a job until either the CGFNS exam or the NCLEX exam is passed. And that is per the US government.

[trix_ctrn]

i know this is true for sure because almost 100 nurses in our hospital came from the philippines thru this agency (12 of them work in the unit i'm working)...and didn't pay for anything. i know it's too good to be true ...and it is. there is also no salary deduction. there's this one nurse who was also a new grad who got paid the same with me. even some of them have to take nclex again, they still paid for it. all they have to pay is their family's immigration fees and fares. but the nurses are well covered. if they break their contract, which is 2 years, they just have to pay a little amount (pro-rated). with this they also get free housing for 3 months and food stub from our cafeteria (i think good for 2 weeks). but of course they don't get sign-in bonus (since the employer paid for everything).

of course, they have to pass nclex and ielts before they can come here. but one of them came here and took the exam here (she had visa to us prior to applying).

and this is not just any hospital...it's a planetree, magnet teaching hospital that is also a regional center for health in new england.

i know a lot of agencies that charges a lot for this, and the nurses even have salary deduction to cover all their expenses.

sorry, but there is no such thing as any of that for free. the nurse will be paying for all of it out of their paychecks to a minimum of $5 per hour for the life of the contract. and there is not one employer that is paying all of that. the nurse will be paying $10,000 per year for that.

glad that you know of that agency, but all i can say is run from them. first tip, anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is. and any contract that has come from the philippines like this, and the nurse is living and working like a slave. and where is this wonderful employer hiring for? you may also wish to look at that? there are some over there recruiting because no american wishes to work there because of safety issues.

suggest that you do your homework and do not listen to what an agency tells you.

[suzanne4, RN]

1. They cannot even be hired until they have passed one of the nursing exams, that is per legal requirement of the US government.

2. If the hospital needed to hire 100 nurses from them, then that says that there is a problem there. Magnet hospital does not mean anything in the scheme of things with hiring.

Right now, not one facility is doing anything anyplace because of the retrogression that is in place. They are not paying anything towards the visa bill, etc.

We have seen so many people that have gone thru such horrible issues that I am unable to trust most of what I see coming out of Manila. Most of us here have.

And twelve went to your unit? Then they were really short-staffed. What happened to the nurses in the area for not wanting to work there? There is more to the story. Have been doing this for way too long. Sorry.

Still stick by what I posted. A hsspital is only going to pay those fees if they are really desparate.

[trix_ctrn]

my point is...this agency doesn't charge you of anything.

so what's wrong with hiring a lot of nurses? all i know is this hospital excels, and has low-turn over. a lot of nurses who works here was here for 20-35 years. we are all satisfied with the working condition. and be it what hospital, there are always conflicts. our hospital's goal is patient satisfaction...that's why they're aiming for 1:4 nurse patient ratio.

lastly...just be happy for those who are happy & contended with what they have. i can say...this is land of milk and honey. so happy with it!

1. they cannot even be hired until they have passed one of the nursing exams, that is per legal requirement of the us government.

2. if the hospital needed to hire 100 nurses from them, then that says that there is a problem there. magnet hospital does not mean anything in the scheme of things with hiring.

right now, not one facility is doing anything anyplace because of the retrogression that is in place. they are not paying anything towards the visa bill, etc.

we have seen so many people that have gone thru such horrible issues that i am unable to trust most of what i see coming out of manila. most of us here have.

and twelve went to your unit? then they were really short-staffed. what happened to the nurses in the area for not wanting to work there? there is more to the story. have been doing this for way too long. sorry.

still stick by what i posted. a hsspital is only going to pay those fees if they are really desparate.

[suzanne4, RN]

And in order for the nurse to be working if they have not passed the NCLEX exam, it means that they have taken the CGFNS exam. That exam is not required for most states. That is the only way thru immigration process.

[MARI 1]

Please....

All agencies are in business to make money... so there is a price paid for every service they provide the nurses... some agencies are better at hiding where that money comes from, but please know that they are not charities and doing it for free. No employer will cover that much to recruit nurses or healthcare staff... especially those without experience...

Hospitals do not cover all those benefits... I have been around for a long time, they do offer some things, but they all have budgets and people that they have to answer to for the money they spend. The can't and won't offer all of those things for free... the cost of those perks comes from somewhere and there is a price to be paid.....

If that hospital was so wonderful they would have American nurses lined to join... there is something wrong here... please check and check and check again. I have seen people go to hospitals and they promise the world before they started and when the RN gets there things change.. I have never seen a hospital cover that much even underserviced areas that no one want to work in... Why does that hospital have so many vacancies if it is such a great place to work and pays so well.....???

No one pays three months rent on an apartment and provide you with all the other items you stated they provide. The highest paid sign on benefits and relocation packages are along the southern borders with Mexico in areas that most people dont want to work or stay after they have completed their contract... there is some sort of a catch that your not disclosing here... been around too long to believe fairy tales sorry....

If they pay that much in benefits they can hire travellers with American experience and they get tax write offs for hiring them... so there comes a point when it is not cost effective for them to recruit and pay all those sign on packages. Again it boils down to dollars and cents....

[trix_ctrn]

Now I realized that I am so lucky to work in a very good hospital, not only they're excellent, but also generous and supportive. I know business is business. Think about this, instead of giving sign-in bonus to nurses, they spend it for nurses' requirements and also would cover for agency's fee. That's how they do it.

All new hired nurses are given the option: free 3 months housing or relocation fee. Our hospital doesn't have to worry about expenses with housing coz they have a lot of apartments for nurses.

And a lot of hospital in our area, offers almost the same benefit. They all offer sign-in bonus, and also referral bonus.

I don't know if it's just our area. I'm sure other states offer the same package too, others might not be that generous. I know in Texas, they offer $50,000---but that's for 10 years contract. Ours is just 2 years, but of course is less than that. Nurses from the Philippines don't get sign-in bonus...duh, they got everything for free ( a part of the supposed-to-be sign-in bonus goes to the agency.

This relocation package is not for Mexican nurses...as I said, to Filipino nurses.

I don't have to make-up stories. I thought you guys will be happy if I share this experience. A lot of nurses in our hospital appreciated that. At first, most agencies does this. I guess not. Probably, the only ones serving tri-state area.

[nurse_po_me]

Just a few questions:

1) What is the estimated total capita per cost to recruit a nurse from the Philippines?

2) What is the most reasonable amount to buy out your contract if the employer just paid for legal, recruitment and other admin fees?

3) Whats the worst thing that will happen if you dont meet your obligation to work for your employer/sponsor?

Thanks and I appreciate all your responses...

[suzanne4, RN]

Now I realized that I am so lucky to work in a very good hospital, not only they're excellent, but also generous and supportive. I know business is business. Think about this, instead of giving sign-in bonus to nurses, they spend it for nurses' requirements and also would cover for agency's fee. That's how they do it.

All new hired nurses are given the option: free 3 months housing or relocation fee. Our hospital doesn't have to worry about expenses with housing coz they have a lot of apartments for nurses.

And a lot of hospital in our area, offers almost the same benefit. They all offer sign-in bonus, and also referral bonus.

I don't know if it's just our area. I'm sure other states offer the same package too, others might not be that generous. I know in Texas, they offer $50,000---but that's for 10 years contract. Ours is just 2 years, but of course is less than that. Nurses from the Philippines don't get sign-in bonus...duh, they got everything for free ( a part of the supposed-to-be sign-in bonus goes to the agency.

This relocation package is not for Mexican nurses...as I said, to Filipino nurses.

I don't have to make-up stories. I thought you guys will be happy if I share this experience. A lot of nurses in our hospital appreciated that. At first, most agencies does this. I guess not. Probably, the only ones serving tri-state area.

Sorry, but that same package must go to any foreign nurse that the facility hires, and that would be the same if they came from Mexico as well. They cannot tell those from one country that they do not qualify for the bonus. Same as if they came from Canada. Or any other foreign country. They cannot select some to get it and others not.

[suzanne4, RN]

Just a few questions:

1) What is the estimated total capita per cost to recruit a nurse from the Philippines?

2) What is the most reasonable amount to buy out your contract if the employer just paid for legal, recruitment and other admin fees?

3) Whats the worst thing that will happen if you dont meet your obligation to work for your employer/sponsor?

Thanks and I appreciate all your responses...

Cost alone of immigration expenses like that? Or added in the cost of training, etc?

Reasonable amount would be between $8.000 to $10,000 to cover all of their expenses. But we are seeing up to $40,000 plus from a few now.

Obligation to work for your employer? It would depend on why ones wants to leave. If because you decide to work someplace else because your friends are there, you are required to pay the buy-out fee. If the facility/employer does not meet the job specifics as to what was promised in your written contract, and in a timely fashion, then there should not be any penalty for wanting out.

[suzanne4, RN]

Now I realized that I am so lucky to work in a very good hospital, not only they're excellent, but also generous and supportive. I know business is business. Think about this, instead of giving sign-in bonus to nurses, they spend it for nurses' requirements and also would cover for agency's fee. That's how they do it.

All new hired nurses are given the option: free 3 months housing or relocation fee. Our hospital doesn't have to worry about expenses with housing coz they have a lot of apartments for nurses.

And a lot of hospital in our area, offers almost the same benefit. They all offer sign-in bonus, and also referral bonus.

I don't know if it's just our area. I'm sure other states offer the same package too, others might not be that generous. I know in Texas, they offer $50,000---but that's for 10 years contract. Ours is just 2 years, but of course is less than that. Nurses from the Philippines don't get sign-in bonus...duh, they got everything for free ( a part of the supposed-to-be sign-in bonus goes to the agency.

This relocation package is not for Mexican nurses...as I said, to Filipino nurses.

I don't have to make-up stories. I thought you guys will be happy if I share this experience. A lot of nurses in our hospital appreciated that. At first, most agencies does this. I guess not. Probably, the only ones serving tri-state area.

And nurses from Mexico also qualify for the TN Visa, same exact visa as those from Canada. You forgot about that.

[lawrence01]

Most often times, if it's too good to be true then it must be so. Also, every agency in the Philippines will always say they have the best benefits, they process in just 8-9 months and so on and so forth.

In addition, many nurses who signed w/ these agencies that seems to promise them the moon and stars usually recommend it to everyone else w/o even them finishing the process and have actually worked and most often times they get burned when it's already 1, 2, 3 years and everyone else are still in the Philippines. Many friendships ended this way or got cold. I've seen it happen.

There are also those that recommends agencies left to right because they heard it was good but they themselves did not went through that agency (they may not even be in the US altogether) and therefore couldn't vouch if all promises were given. There are times that once a nurse steps put in US soils, every promise seems to have been forgotten already. Yes, this happens and some even don't get jobs on the original area of the State promised to them and sometimes not even in the State itself.

Everyone, should be very careful on choosing agencies and try and research it for yourselves rather than just making a decision on how good their agency is. Almost all agencies, esp. that operate in the Phil. oversell themselves, including their track records. The best way to research if an agency will do good on their promises if to research (if there's way) the people behind it and their reputation plus the testimonials of those who are actually already working in the US that went through them.

There are also some ways to know if an agency is truly good or not saying the truth. One is to know the nurses that have actually signed w/ them and how long it took them for the whole process. There are many nurses here that are still here after 2-3 years signing w/ their agency. That is one clue. Another is, if they use the same hospitals they supposedly recruited 1-3 years ago. If they have successfully deployed nurses there then why still keep recruiting for them and almost every year at that ?? Doesn't the hospital get full ? And if nurses keeps getting out of that hospital before finishing their min. 2 year contract then there must be something wrong w/ the hospital itself and if the agency claim that it has low turn-over ratios and how wonderful the facility is then why do they keep recruiting from the same facility every year? If everyone is happy w/ a certain facility then there should be minimal to no vacancies as everyone will finish their contract and will extend it after it finishes and therefore no need to recruit anymore for some time.

Bottom line is everyone should be careful and also don't forget to research the location of the facility. There are certain areas that are not very safe and not worth the big signing bonus.