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

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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.

Hi Pinoy NP! Glad to hear from you. I got my MSN adult Nursing in the Phils and I wanted to pursue the Acute Care or Primary Care NP. I already consulted with the admission office and the int'l credentialing service on the university that I intend to apply. So far,you are absolutely right, they told me that I should apply for the post-grad certification and in order for me to sit for the ANCC certification for Advance Nursing Practice, I should take the Advance Pharmacotherapeutics and the Advance Health Assessment. Informally, they said that all my subjects/grades in my transcripts were credited. My only hindrance right now is the preparation of my application porfolio because it seems that it is so tedious specially that most of my credetials would still come directly from overseas. I needed 3 references/recommendation letters, my statement letter, OTRs including high school, etc. The deadline for Fall application is next week but they are giving me some consideration since I am an employee of their university hospital and I'll go for the post-grad. At this point in time, I am a bit confused if I should really push through studying in State University or maybe enroll in the University of Phoenix instead. Maybe their requirements are lesser - I don't know. Just that... to find a job as an NP is very competitive, therefore, it has a better edge to graduate in a State University under the tradional classroom style than to graduate from an online school. I really do not know how valid is my opinion, I confused right now. See if you can help me out decide, ok. I'll appreciate it. -

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Hi Pinoy NP! Glad to hear from you. I got my MSN adult Nursing in the Phils and I wanted to pursue the Acute Care or Primary Care NP. I already consulted with the admission office and the int'l credentialing service on the university that I intend to apply. So far,you are absolutely right, they told me that I should apply for the post-grad certification and in order for me to sit for the ANCC certification for Advance Nursing Practice, I should take the Advance Pharmacotherapeutics and the Advance Health Assessment. Informally, they said that all my subjects/grades in my transcripts were credited. My only hindrance right now is the preparation of my application porfolio because it seems that it is so tedious specially that most of my credetials would still come directly from overseas. I needed 3 references/recommendation letters, my statement letter, OTRs including high school, etc. The deadline for Fall application is next week but they are giving me some consideration since I am an employee of their university hospital and I'll go for the post-grad. At this point in time, I am a bit confused if I should really push through studying in State University or maybe enroll in the University of Phoenix instead. Maybe their requirements are lesser - I don't know. Just that... to find a job as an NP is very competitive, therefore, it has a better edge to graduate in a State University under the tradional classroom style than to graduate from an online school. I really do not know how valid is my opinion, I confused right now. See if you can help me out decide, ok. I'll appreciate it. -

First, I encourage you to visit the advanced practice nursing forum for NP's in this website. There is so much information in there that you can learn from as you prepare for your quest in pursuing the NP role.

I am also advising you that before you decide on choosing Primary Care NP vs Acute Care NP, research the job market in your area first and see which types of NP's have a better chance of getting employed. Acute Care NP's are trained to work in acute care settings specifically ICU's, medical and surgical units in hospitals, and other types of in-patient facilities. Most ACNP's are hired in specialty practices such as cardiology, neurosurgery, nephrology, pulmonary medicine, etc.

On the other hand, Primary Care NP's are trained to care for adults in out-patient settings to provide primary care services. Depending on which area of the country you are in, there is some overlap in the roles between the two types of NP's. Where I live, many NP openings are in hospitals and specialty practices so it is more likely that an ACNP will get a job right away compared to a Primary Care NP in this particular area of the country.

Yes, the application process is tedious but that is the only way the university can determine that you are qualified to enroll in their program. Fortunately for me, I did not have much problems having my official TOR sent by the university I attended in the Philippines to the university I was applying in here in the US. I did not have problems with recommendation letters as well since I worked with NP's in the hospital and they were gracious enough to help me with recommendation letters. I did spend a lot of time polishing my graduate school goal statement to make my application stand out. I was also required to take the GRE which I noticed you did not mention at all so I am assuming this is not required of you. And would you believe I also had to present my CGFNS certificate!

I attended a state university too and it is affiliated with a major medical center in the area. A major advantage of attending state universities is that you are eligible for cheaper in-state tuition rates as a resident of the state you are in. Private schools such as University of Phoenix can be very expensive. I also am not aware if U. of Phoenix has an NP track so you may be wasting your time attending their MSN program if it just leads to a generic MSN with no NP focus. Why would you have to do that when you already have an MSN degree.

Take your time to gather all the requirements in a school that you feel will provide you with a good clinical learning environment and excellent training in your chosen NP field. If you can't make it for fall registration, will the school allow you to regsiter in the winter instead? I actually took my time in making sure I have all the required documents because I was set on attending the school I preferred the most. I do not regret doing that at all.

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PinoyNP, thanks for the inspiration! I feel like I am re-charged again. I will follow your advice. I had talked to the admission counselor from U. Phoenix yesterday and their program is not for me. So what's in your goal statement? I am planning to draft this week, hope I can send it to you via personal email so that you can edit and critic it and hopefully give me some advice. This goal statement seem to be so huge - it scares me specially that I am not a writer. Anyway, thanks for answering my questions, you are clearing my mind. Now, at least, I got a better view of what I wanted to be and the choices I have. You are such an inspiration! That is what I need...

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

No problem, seeandwhy. PM me anytime for anything.

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Wow, great forum! I plan to move to the philippines this year to take up nursing--long story but I just want to get away from distractions--but I have concerns and questions. First, how soon can I apply for the NCLEX upon graduation and do I apply in the Phil or go directly to California and apply there? Should I stay in the Phil while waiting for the application and transcripts to go through? How long is the wait? What steps can I take to limit delays? And lastly, in picking Philippine nursing colleges to go, does their ranking in the local board passing rate comparable to the passing rate to the NCLEX?

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Wow, great forum! I plan to move to the philippines this year to take up nursing--long story but I just want to get away from distractions--but I have concerns and questions. First, how soon can I apply for the NCLEX upon graduation and do I apply in the Phil or go directly to California and apply there? Should I stay in the Phil while waiting for the application and transcripts to go through? How long is the wait? What steps can I take to limit delays? And lastly, in picking Philippine nursing colleges to go, does their ranking in the local board passing rate comparable to the passing rate to the NCLEX?

If you are not a Filipino Citizen, you are not obliged to take the local boards and can apply directly to take the NCLEX. Of course, you have to do all the paperworks while still in the Phil. Some Filipino graduates don't even bother to take the local boards as well if they plan to work in the US.

The nursing program is a 4 yr BSN program though.

In my opinion, ranking for local boards passing rate does not translate w/ passing the NCLEX.

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Thanks for your reply Lawrence; it was really helpful. I have taken advantage of the dual citizenship option. I read that the NCLEX will be soon administered in the Phil as well. I would like to know if anyone can share their experience in obtaining licensure in California, having dual citizenship. Thank you

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Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
thanks for your reply lawrence; it was really helpful. i have taken advantage of the dual citizenship option. i read that the nclex will be soon administered in the phil as well. i would like to know if anyone can share their experience in obtaining licensure in california, having dual citizenship. thank you

i am an american citizen and i am licensed in both california and state of hawaii. i graduated in nsg.school in pi, (2005) as soon my diploma was released, i applied for licensure in cali. i picked california because they don't require cgfns exam and ces, but it took them 4 months to process my application,which is fine, it did give me enough time to do a self study for nclexrn exam. i also had a classmate who is a dual cit. she applied in california too. she is now working in l.a. hospital.

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Thanks RNHawaii. How much did the college in the Phil prepare you for the test and your first job? For California, did you have to take any other tests or any supplimental classes to satisfy the requirements for lisensure? Did you apply for the NCLEX while still living in the PHIL and did you waited for the results there or did you do it in Cali? I'm just worried that I have to fly back and forth to personally manage problems with the process. Thanks, you've been helpful.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.
Thanks RNHawaii. How much did the college in the Phil prepare you for the test and your first job? For California, did you have to take any other tests or any supplimental classes to satisfy the requirements for lisensure? Did you apply for the NCLEX while still living in the PHIL and did you waited for the results there or did you do it in Cali? I'm just worried that I have to fly back and forth to personally manage problems with the process. Thanks, you've been helpful.

Most Philippines nursing schools do not have problems with California with regards to requirements. I am a graduate of 1991 and apply for the licesnure in Ca in 2005 while in the Philippines. The CA BRN did not asked me for anything. When I moved here 2006 I applied for the Interim Permit and also for the ATT. Took my NCLEX after a week before my IP expires.

So, once you graduated from Nsg school, you can immediately go back and start the processes here provided you have someone in the Philippines who will coordinate with your school when it comes to sending the TOR to the CA BRN.

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

nice thread... i filipino but born in the united states. my parents have always told me about how hard it was to start off in the US but i never paid much attention to them. however, this thread and the information that you guys have provided have provided have really helped me realize the sacrafices and hardships that my parents endured. im 20 years old and an lvn(LVNs stand for licensed vocational nurse, diploma or associates degree in us) and i work hard and play hard. this thread really opened my eyes on savings and financial responsiblities associated with growing up. i guess, i guess i just wanted to say thanks to all the people posting for helping me realize that i need to grow up and think about the future. also, thanks for opening my eyes to see my parent's struggle years ago.

LVN-RN transition, wish me luck!

jon lvn

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Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
most philippines nursing schools do not have problems with california with regards to requirements. i am a graduate of 1991 and apply for the licesnure in ca in 2005 while in the philippines. the ca brn did not asked me for anything. when i moved here 2006 i applied for the interim permit and also for the att. took my nclex after a week before my ip expires.

so, once you graduated from nsg school, you can immediately go back and start the processes here provided you have someone in the philippines who will coordinate with your school when it comes to sending the tor to the ca brn.

yep, i think rep said it all, i didn't have any problem applying for licensure in the state of california. after i graduated in nursing school back in the philippines, i came back to the u.s., i applied for the licensure exam right away and did a self review for nclexrn. like rep said, california didn't ask me for anything other than my tor coming from my school to ca brn. it took four months of wait before getting my eligibility to take the test. i am now working as an rn, and i am so glad that i took the chance to study and get that bsn!! i am a happy camper now:d

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