I just passed the NLE. I know it's hard finding a job here in the Philippines as a paid, staff nurse in a tertiary hospital.

Should I work as a paid, staff nurse at a secondary hospital? My family knows the owner.

Like many of you, I plan to eventually migrate to another country, so I'm wondering if working as a staff nurse at a secondary hospital will affect my chances of being hired abroad.

Btw, I'm looking to migrate to the US or Canada, as I have relatives there. But I'm also open to going first to other countries like Dubai or Singapore.

Having relatives in the US wont really help your application, you will be affected by retrogression, for Canada you may get some points but a lot will depend on how they are relative to you. As a nurse I would say getting experience will be a great goal especially whilst you are waiting for moving to another country. If you read the Canadian forum you will see that there are some issues with a lot of provinces and jobs for nurses so having experience will be an advantage over others however finding a job may be hard. Also expect other countries to require experience

Thanks for the reply Silverdragon :)

So getting experience as a paid RN at a secondary hospital is still okay? Coz I'm wondering if I should just volunteer at a tertiary hospital.

I know there's retrogression and recession in the US, but do you think I should go ahead and take my NCLEX now? So at least my papers will get moving, assuming everything goes well. I'm willing to wait 5-7 years.

Getting any paid nursing experience is good. Not all countries accept volunteer work as experience. You could get NCLEX out of the way and try to get in the queue, just be aware (which it sounds like you are) that retrogression may mean that it is hard to find a employer willing to petition you for a GC

Having a paid nursing work nowadays here in the Philippines is a blessing. I suggest that you grab that opportunity to work while you wait for your dream tertiary hospital.

The downside to this is that some employers abroad (IF you are planning to go abroad) requires tertiary hospital experience.

Thanks for the replies. I was just worried that employers abroad might not consider being an RN at a secondary hospital as experience.

Thanks for the replies. I was just worried that employers abroad might not consider being an RN at a secondary hospital as experience.

technically some countries want tertiary hospital ,but finding a job here home it a bit difficult better get a paid job done doing volunte , thier nothing wrong working in secondary hospital ,experience in ward are almost desame althoug equipments vary,,during my interview my employer as are u as a staff nurse or a volunter ?they did even ask me if i work in secondary or hospital .as long you have experience as paid staff nurse ^_^

consider yourself fortunate that you will have a job. grab it.