After NCLEX, what next?

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Hello fellow nurses!:nurse:

Don't you just love this site? It's really nice to know I'm not alone out here. The sharings on this site have really been inspiring. It's helped so many people and so I wanted to bring up my situation and consult with you guys too.

Well basically, as of this post I'm 21, I graduated in April of 2008, took my boards in November 2008 and had it that I passed when the results came out in February 2009. Waiting on the results and even before graduation though I had already applied for a job (non-nursing) so that somehow I could already start to help with my family financially. You see 3 years ago, just before graduating, my Dad passed away and he was my everything. My dad was like a walking allnurses.com. He used to guide me every step of the way as what I had to do and eventually got me where I am now. I didn't even have to think, just follow. If not for my scholarship he helped me find I wouldn't be able to get through nursing school. It was my dream to be a nurse. I looked up to my mom who was also an HCP during her time and enjoyed the stories she used to share with me as a midwife abroad. But ever since my Dad passed away when I was 18, I had to struggle doing things on my own and work for my Mom who now in the Philippines is currently unemployed. It just sucks that employers here consider experienced ex-OFWs as a liability because of their age and not as an asset because of their experience.

Anyways, I'm still with my non-nursing job because I can't afford to get a nurse job here in the Philippines without a salary but am planning to quit this year as my Mom is going to be petitioned for the USA by my brother. Then she'll be able to help with my allowances in case I have to settle with getting experience here. My brother by the way is turning 21 and is a US Citizen 'coz he was born there and works for the government under the US Navy. We've been separated ever since high school and poor little him had to separate from us when he was just 13 because we couldn't afford to put him through college - kinda like APL's story from the Black Eyed Peas. So he lived with the rest of our relatives there. It's still different though being with your immediate family. My aunts and uncles have their own families to take care of so me and my brother are really working hard to rid of them the burden of having to support us. Even sacrificed sleeping on the floor just for bedspace. It's really sad not being able to be with him because after bootcamp, nobody came to congratulate him when every other parent and sibling of other cadets went (we didn't have enough money to get a flight and attend). :(

So to cut things short. I'm going to be left alone here in the Philippines. I know it's going to be hard to get to the States but I'm really still eagered to pursue because of my family. For the sake of our togetherness and for the times we missed being with each other. It's my ultimate goal. My parents sacrificed being away from him just to look after me because I'm the only girl. And my dad died in the process due to an accident which he could have prevented from happening if he was in the States taking care of my bro.

Having been through all this, I can't just let go and give up on going to America. I CANNOT and WILL NOT take "NO", "IT"S IMPOSSIBLE" or "JUST GIVE UP" for an answer.

I've taken the NCLEX, and my IELTS (payed for these on my own) next is applying for a visa I guess to the US or getting experience to other countries. But I actually really am not sure if I'm doing the right thing or even getting any nearer. I don't want to prolong the waiting period as I know I still have a long way to go before I reach my ultimate dream. I'm just really lost right now.

A advice from any of you will be deeply appreciated.

Still hanging in there!

L:redbeatheve,

~puppy_eyes88

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I am not saying give up on your dream to live in the US but consider looking at another country whilst waiting and gaining some nurse experience. Remember even if you do not have a employer in the US and have joined the retrogression queue it will be years before your mum can petition you and being over 21 yrs of age can take anything from 8-12 years to be processed.

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Hi Mr. Silverdragon. Yes, I guess it's my fate. I have always wanted to travel though before finally settling in the States. So probably this is the time to do just that. Before the end of this year, I'll make sure to have myself employed and start getting experience. Thanks! :hug:

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Hi puppy eyes88.. :) i can relate to your story, just like you im also under petition. sadly on my part i was petitioned when i was already 21. so ill be waiting for more years before i can finally go to the states. i have also tried to go the embassy to schedule an interview but sadly again when you are petitioned your name will come up in the database and you will just be denied. all i know is that family members of soldiers in active service have privileges their petition gets approve much faster than others.

i have also been wondering on what to do with life since im waiting for my petition. i could not get any nursing job to gain experience anyway. i took my NLE Nov 2008 passed the exam but still havent had any luck in finding any nursing job. experience is very much important especially when you go to the states because some americans be little our capabilities and competitions is much tougher now.

i am also lost like you i have looked into some other options and i have research about some of this and asked some people around. first is Singapore you can go there as a tourist and apply for a nursing job over there. they have levels of nursing in singapore if you dont have an experience you can start by working as nursing assistant and you can work your way up. you need to also pass SINGAPORE NURSING BOARD EXAM. but if you have experience you just need to pass the SNB and be a staff nurse right away. if you apply here in agencies they will require you to have a local experience with a minimum of 1 year volunteer experience are now accepted as experience as long as you have a certificate and they can verify it. second is you work in saudi thats the fastest way you can do if you want to work and go to the states.

second option saudi. a batchmate of mine is working in saudi she is using this as a stepping stone so she can go to the states and work as a nurse. if you apply from over there she said it is easier because a lot of her co staff nurses did the same and others are already in the states working and living there with their family.

last australia. this is the easiest but requires more money. you will leave manila using a student visa. experience is not required. since you have a student visa you will become a student and be trained as a staff nurse. you also need to pass IELTS with a score of 7. if you are married you can bring along with you your family. this is a bit pricy you will need to have 20000 australian dollars to process everything, but after 2 years you can apply to become an australian citizen you can go to the states and still use your license if you pass your NCLEX. you will not be affected by the retrogression.

thats it i hope i helped you out!! God Bless!!!

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^^good information but i have a few questions...In SINGAPORE, i just want to clarify is volunteer experience acceptable?

In SAUDI, is your friend a she? because right now i think they don't accept male nurses because of Saudisization (read on the other thread). and as far as i know and what i've read here they require 2 year experience. If your friend didn't have this requirement and was able to go and work in Saudi, how did he/she do that? care to share.

How can going to the US from Saudi be easier than from here? is there EB3 current and not affected by retrogression? i got confused with that statement of yours. "they are now working and living in the US" under what visa? it would be very helpful to a lot of people here if you can enlighten us with this.

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Get your experience from the Philippines first. Even with all the exams you took they are still looking for bedside experience. Hone your skills first as nursing in the US (as I am told) is far more intense and there's a lot of competition.

With your NCLEX and IELTS a possible US employer may file now for your EB3/I-140 which is an immigrant visa. I think if they are to submit your papers now you are probably in the 5 to 6 years waiting time because of the retrogression.

So, here are my suggested steps for you to take:

1. Get employed in a hospital.

2. After getting regularized as an employee; look for an agency that will look for US employers that are willing to petition you as an EB3.

3. Attend all the trainings in your hospital.

4. Answer NCLEX CDs on your free time.

5. Wait for your US VISA.

Alternatively, you may choose to go to other countries to earn more money. But the deal is they are usually looking for around 2 plus years of experience. If you follow steps 1 - 2, the US VISA then becomes just a waiting game.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

How can going to the US from Saudi be easier than from here? is there EB3 current and not affected by retrogression? i got confused with that statement of yours. "they are now working and living in the US" under what visa? it would be very helpful to a lot of people here if you can enlighten us with this.

Retrogression is affecting everyone for EB3, doesn't matter where you are working as visas are allocated on place of birth

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Retrogression is affecting everyone for EB3, doesn't matter where you are working as visas are allocated on place of birth

this is what i know as well but Skylin seems to have a different story based on what he posted. i wanted to know from him how was his friend able to do that from Saudi?

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Hey ya'll. Wow... all of this has been really helpful for me. You guys are such a blessing. :lvan:

Guess what? I just met up with my cousin from Australia who came to visit me here in the Philippines. I brought up this concern and he mentioned about first cousins sponsoring first cousins for sponsorship to Australia. He's willing to do it. :hug:So I guess I'll probably study and then work there during the wait - if must, apply at a nursing home and work my way up. And, after 2 years I'll be able to apply for citizenship there and that way it'll be much easier and faster for me to get in and out of the US. I just had myself assessed and according to their point system I'm qualified since I have family there and I have at least a year's worth of work experience (although not as high as points for nursing experience, they give points for non-nursing experience). About the money. I don't have it yet, but I'm sure God will provide a means somehow.

So, that's my tentative plan. I guess it's all eyes on Australia for me now. At least I get to travel before settling in the US and that I'll be with close relatives there so I'm not homesick. Wish me luck! If there are any other bright ideas though let us know. :monkeydance: I'll keep you guys posted with whatever happens next.

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good info as well for Australia. how's the process in applying for a student visa in Australia and how much would it cost you? what i heard it would cost around P600k for the tuition alone. would having a relative in the OZ an advantage in getting a visa? i know in living expenses it would be a big help. why don't you settle in OZ instead of the US? do have any idea how much is the salary of nurse there?

maybe you're still young and still have the luxury of time unlike some of us here. good luck! share us the steps you took and some details.

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Hmmm... now another thing. What to do with my California NCLEX results? I am aware that it'll expire after 3 years without an SSN. I wouldn't want that to be put to waste. I worked so hard for that. :nuke: I'd still like to have my opportunities open for the US while getting some experience (hopefully) in Australia.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hmmm... now another thing. What to do with my California NCLEX results? I am aware that it'll expire after 3 years without an SSN. I wouldn't want that to be put to waste. I worked so hard for that. :nuke: I'd still like to have my opportunities open for the US while getting some experience (hopefully) in Australia.

Plenty of posts in the International forum regarding what to do regarding CA license try searching for them

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