General Discussion about Filipino RNs currently working in the U.S.

World Philippines

Published

for filipino rns currently in the us whether still undergoing the proper documentations or already working please kindly share your experiences on this thread.

topics maybe from experiences at the workplace, impact of the new culture to you and your family, general do's and dont's, and others.

this thread would serve, hopefully, as a general resource thread for would-be u.s. nurses in the near future and to dispel myths and rumors and of course general advice coming from those already in the u.s.

Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
What is a secured credit card? How to use it?

It is a credit card that you applied wherein you deposit a certain amount as a collateral which will be your credit limit. You can use just like any other credit card.

The thing is, if you are new here, nobody wants to give you credit because you don't have a credit history and if you want to apply for utilities or buy a car, you won't get better terms or they will charge you with high interest rate.

So, a secured credit card can help you built a credit history.

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.

ahhh, coin operated washing machines......i think this is the best thing that ever happened to me since i got here in the u.s.!! imagine i don't have to make kuskos and kula kula my clothes???? and the dryer is so convenient! i didn't have to worry wether it rains or the sun is super tirik because the dryer will do its job, and it actually cut my ironing time. and oh, i love those fabric softener in sheets, ahhhhhh!!! they make all your clothes fluffy and soft, and wrinkle free. microwave oven? my god, whoever invented that is such a genius!! they can make your food hot in no time, i swear, i don't have to eat a sorta " panis" leftover because i can just put that food in the microwave, nuke it and bam! i got my instant meal.

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.

saving tips from me:

1. save at least 25% or more of your paycheck on every payday ( at least try, hehehehe).

2. when you start working na, take advantage of all tax deductable, money saving programs available in your workplace. example are 401(k), and roth individual retirement account. these money you cannot touch until you retire from work. trust me, you won't even feel that it is deducted from your paycheck.

3. claim lowest number in your tax deduction. they will kaltas more tax from your paycheck, but you will not ( maybe) pay as much tax at the end of the year from your own pocket.

4. save your receipts. things you buy for work such as shoes, uniforms, books, licensing fees, etc., you might be able to use as a tax deductable.( check/read your local tax brochure and it will help you maximize your money saving whathaveyous).

5. don't hesitate to cut savings coupons. they're everywhere, every coupon helps.

6. buy stuff on sale. check your local sunday newspapers, they are very helpful because they will tell you which grocery store, or any store that has a sale.remember, not all sale items are cheap, so take on of that as well.

7.if you have children, learn to say "no". even if they make lupasay in the mall/store, tell them "you don't need that stuff right now". compromise, compromise, i see it all the time. mom and dads always gave in to their kids if they want something. of course, that's another topic..hehehehe.

8. before you go shopping always make a list. so you don't have to buy extra stuff that you don't even need. if it's really cheap? buy 2 or more, so you can shove that extra stuff in your balikbayan box(es).

9. turn off the light if you don't need. get a low wattage bulb.learn how to recycle ( yeah, those soda cans cost 5 cents in my homestate).oh the possibilities!!

10.remember, it's your money. don't give in to your neighbor who drives a "lexus". if you can stay away from filipino parties( no offense, i love free foods), but if being flashy is your style? trust me, it's hard to keep up with others flashy people like you...it's a never ending battle.don't answer the phone, or tell em your out of town with donald trump, or your with martha stewart in the hamptons, so you cannot attend the party.

i had a co worker who actually brags about her $500 prada shoes.....i think people do it because we didn't have money when we were in pi, but that doesn't give us an excuse spend our money in a shoe made my a designer with goofy name.

i agree with you but remember that the money she used to spend for her $500 shoes is her hard-earned money too.....so in a sense, gives her an excuse to spend her own money.

dont get me wrong but like you, my wife and i are also thrifty and "kuripot" just waiting for opportunities to pop up to use our hard earned money. but the thing is, there are people here in forum who might get offended by your post regarding their lavish spending. as long as we earned the money in a dignified way, we all have our right to be thrifty and they also have their right to buy expensive stuffs and brag about it :D

Specializes in Critical Care Nursing.

in the philippines, i always eat on time. three meals and two snacks a day... sometime even more... here, i learn to lessen the number of my meals to two and sometimes no snacks...... but i dont know why am i getting heavier?????

who can answer this?

Enjoy your work..... play often. I know most came here to earn money so they can send some to their families back home. But don't forget to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Do the things you weren't able to do back home, buy things that you like with your hard earned money (even if it's $500 Prada shoes.. hey, you're entitled) .Take time off to recharge, see the country where you now live in. Do this before you get sucked into the system of working double or triple jobs or even working 16 hour shifts. I know money is important, but you gotta do something for yourself once in a while... without feeling guilty.

i know this may seem out of track but i really need to ask this..are male nurses allowed to grow long hairs, specifically dreadlocks in the US? :nuke:

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
i know this may seem out of track but i really need to ask this..are male nurses allowed to grow long hairs, specifically dreadlocks in the us? :nuke:

funny question but interesting:chuckle , in my workplace we have male nurse(s) who have longer hair like fabio...but they are always on ponytails while they are at work. i don't really have problem with it, but if the male nurse's hair is way perfect than mine? i won't be happy with that!! but seriously, wether your a male or female nurse with long flowing hair, it should be in either on bun or ponytail for obvious reasons. you work with patients, you want to look professional, your not only representing yourself, but your workplace as well. from my experience, a confused patient did pull the nurses' hair! ( not me), ( arrrrgh!) another patient vomitted...get the picture? dreadlucks are ok too ( at least where i work, but it has to be in ponytail). at least nowadays, we are not required to wear a hairnet in the regular floor!! :lol2: :rotfl:

Specializes in Critical Care Nursing.
funny question but interesting:chuckle , in my workplace we have male nurse(s) who have longer hair like fabio...but they are always on ponytails while they are at work. i don't really have problem with it, but if the male nurse's hair is way perfect than mine? i won't be happy with that!! but seriously, whether your a male or female nurse with long flowing hair, it should be in either on bun or ponytail for obvious reasons. you work with patients, you want to look professional, your not only representing yourself, but your workplace as well. from my experience, a confused patient did pull the nurses' hair! ( not me), ( arrrrgh!) another patient vomitted...get the picture? dreadlucks are ok too ( at least where i work, but it has to be in ponytail). at least nowadays, we are not required to wear a hairnet in the regular floor!! :lol2: :rotfl:

i am growing my hair now.. hehehehehe

Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
i know this may seem out of track but i really need to ask this..are male nurses allowed to grow long hairs, specifically dreadlocks in the US? :nuke:

I guess I have to see what the dreadlocks look like before I can make a judgement. Is it a full-on, shoulder-length, reggae extravaganza or are you referring to neat, simple, and short braids that barely extend to the back of the neck? I have seen my share of outrageous styles among male nurse peers here in the US but I honestly haven't seen a male nurse in dreadlocks (and mind you, I have worked with Jamaican and African nurses in the past).

In as much as individuality and self-expression are highly regarded in American society, we have to remember that we are not only representing our own selves, but in a way, we are also representing our identity as Filipino immigrants and our profession as nurses. Ask yourself, will that look project a visual image of a professional and convince a patient that you are a competent nurse to the extent that they can entrust their own nursing care to you? will it make you seem like a joke looking all brown and Asian and yet sporting this 'do that represents someone of Jamaican or African heritage? will there be a chance that you can put your patients at risk by harboring all sorts of nasty bugs in that hairstyle of yours and then spreading these germs from patient to patient during the course of you daily care activities?

The reason why I ask is that there may be some hospitals here that will let you wear that hairstyle out of desperation to fill their RN vacancies but is it really worth all that just so you can make your fashion statement?

great and enlightening posts. would like to ask for advice though which is more practical - bring the kids along (ages 6 and 8) or give myself time first to adjust first.

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
great and enlightening posts. would like to ask for advice though which is more practical - bring the kids along (ages 6 and 8) or give myself time first to adjust first.

hmmm...tough question you have there. first of all, i want to let you know i don't have a kid. i have friends who migrated to the u.s. with their kids with them, and some left them in pi. i think if you have relatives who are willing to help you out to watch your kids, it is not a problem to take them with you. but, if you are going to work as a nurse, it will be very hard because for a new nurse, you will be going to a thoughrough and long orientation that requires full concentration, and you might get the unfavorable shifts ( evening and nights),and sometimes you to work mandatory overtime ( well, it depends on where you work anyways), you also need to anticipate staying extra hour at work, because it does happen sometimes. and as a new nurse in a new country, it is very hard to adjust when you are juggling work, and taking care of your kids, you can ask anyone who did the same thing. plus at your kid's age, which are 6 and 8? they need to have proper supervision of an adult at all times. do you have any supporting relatives here in the u.s? ( you have to assume that relatives have work too), remember, you are not the only one who will going to a long process of adjustment, but also your children, and as a mom or dad, we should put importance to child's well being first....but the real answer is totally up to you though. hope this will help a bit? goodluck!!!:holly3::icon_razz:

+ Add a Comment