hi there,

filipina here... i jus recently passed the nclex and about to start with the petition/immigration process. sadly retrogression is still very much a problem at the moment so it may still take some time before my family & i can leave the phils. my concern, i have always wanted to work in ca and raise my kids there. my relatives are there, and i just am comfortable with the place, as i have been there for several times. i also dream of working in a big hospital. in my more than a decade of professional life, i have always been effective at what i do, and this passion for excellence in my job prompts me to harness my skills and optimize my potentials, and i think this would only be realized if i get employed in a big hospital. but i do not know how i will find an employer who can sponsor me. i know i can always turn to agencies here who deploy nurses to different states and various facilities, and choose to be sent to cali if i like, but i,m afraid of committing to agencies, as a big chunk of my wage would probably be taken by them. beacause they are agencies, right? besides they require 2 or so yrs of experience, which i dont have. i grduated nsg school just a yr ago.(2nd courser, was a healthcare representative in a giant pharma for 10 yrs).i have a prospective employer and already a job offer in nj... in a nursing home. this one's very convenient for me because she is a personal aquaintance and will work everything out from start to finish of the petition process, my dependents included. i will just have to shoulder the necessary fees including lawyers' but i sure will get my wage in full. but this would mean having to forego my dream of working in a specialized acute setting...in cali. what do you think, will i take this job in nj? what are the prospects of getting employed in a hospital when i finish the 2 yr contract? will there be any difficulties? any advise greatly appreciated. thank you!

It is always helpful to have a friend or relative who is there to help you adjust. Can your relatives in CA go to others from the Phils and ask them for some help in finding you a sponsor in CA? Read all of the threads here in the International forum about the retrogression, the entire process, Suzanne is really good about keeping people up to date on what to do. I remember recently seeing some comments that the CA hosp are not hiring non US graduates who have no experience. I can't say anything about that situation. Like I said, Suzanne is a good source of up to date info (Lawrence another one of our moderators knows what's going on too). Good luck.

I forgot to mention that you need to read the threads that discuss and warn people about the agencies. A lot of them take advantage of people. You want to watch out for yourself. I hope you can either get together with your relatives in CA or with your friend in NJ.

It is the Bay Area that is not hiring, other parts are. Only go the route of a hospital, definitely not a nursing home. They do not have staffing ratios and you could be responsible for up to 60 patients on your shift. And with the differences in idioms, etc., you could find yourself in trouble very early on.

If you do two years in a nursign home, you will find it much harder to get into a hospital.

Which state did you pass NCLEX for?

I am currently licensed in Vermont and plan to have it endorsed to NJ. But now I'm confused. I really would not want to work in a nursing home if given a choice.. Good thing i'm only about to start with the petition process, i can still think things over. I expect to complete the requirements in 2 weeks then supposed send them to my NJ employer immediately. But now I think I will have to hold my documents for the meantime. I have another option, please tell me if it's wise. Can i go the US myself and ask a cousin to accompany me to California hospitals who can sponsor me and my family? (I have a multiple US travel visa.)Is this possible? Hmm.., scary! Will they not turn me away (for having such guts)? If ever, who will I approach? And how will i know which hospitals sponsor foreign nurses? (bcoz i think not all hospitals do) Caliotter3, thanks a lot! Ms suzanne, you are truly a great help. Everyone's been so impressed that you are knowledgeable in whatever aspect, and that you offer a solution to every nurse's problem, trivial or complicated.. Thank you!

Do not waste your money to come to the US to interview. They are not hiring now if you are in the country, they cannot as the retrogression is in place. Any facility that will hire will interview over the phone.

Right now, the tourist visa means nothing, you still need to be petitioned from where you are. And take a close look at that visa, it states that it does not guarantee entry into the US, it is up to the officer at the airport when you arrive. If you want to come for a vacation, do so. But if to look for work, don't.

And you wanted my opinion, stay away from any nursing home. They also have the highest rate of losing a license in the health care field of nursing.

It is the Bay Area that is not hiring, other parts are. Only go the route of a hospital, definitely not a nursing home. They do not have staffing ratios and you could be responsible for up to 60 patients on your shift. And with the differences in idioms, etc., you could find yourself in trouble very early on.

If you do two years in a nursign home, you will find it much harder to get into a hospital.

Which state did you pass NCLEX for?

Whoa! am i glad i saw this reply. I thought a nursing home would be a good place to start in case there was no luck for hospitals, didnt know it was actually a negative for your resume....

keep us posted MazeRN

Thanks Suzanne!

suzaane is right, i have a part time in a nursing home and i never liked it there... i was handling 30 patients and 3 LVN,s under me.. it was troublesome and i was always anxious because the mistakes of the my LVN's are also my mistakes... if anything happens

I ALRADY RESIGNED FORM NURSING HOME AND CONCETRATED IN THE ACUTE SETTING