Agency/Recruiter not helping out

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My brother signed up for OGP 2 years ago. He passed the NCLEX, now US licensed, had his interview at the American Embassy in the Philippines and had his visa on hold until they get a "letter" from his agency and the hiring facility in the US stating that he will indeed be working at the US (and not "shop around" for another facility when he gets here). Understandably, that's fine.

But throughout all the two years he has been with this agency, he has been reassured countless times, was given the impression that he will have a placement in California, or at least a close-by state. He has a family to take care of, never been in the US and is stressing out because he was given an interview for a hospital in VA. He needs his family's support esp. in the first few months, don't you think? So basically, the agency fell short of their promise. :angryfire

As much as he wants to come to the US, he still would want to be with us here in CA. I want to think he still should have options open to him - he's been a nurse for over 10 years now with over 5 yrs of those in OR/PACU. He was told that OR positions are hard to come by in the US (oh for crying out loud, my hospital alone is short of 8 nurses!).

What would you advice him to do? His visa is on hold for the next 3 months... should we buy him out of the agency to look for a hospital ourselves? Should he come here and work at VA, then ask for a transfer? The agency doesn't seem to want us to work on getting a facility for him... I'm a nurse myself and could definitely help, I think. :o

Any opinion?

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OGP does not give any promise in writing of where they will place you. They are known for this. Unfortunately, he has signed a contract with them, and their buy-out is about $20,000..........take a close look at the contract.

Be aware also, that his petition was only for OGP. If he does a buyout, he needs to start the process all over again. He cannot use the same petition and work for another company or hospital.

Not sure if you considered that.

That is why I insist that everyone read over the fine print of each and every contract and make sure that they are aware that if it isn't in the contract in writing, then the agency or facility doesn't have to live up to it. Only if the contract explicitly states they he was offered a position in CA.

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Hi,

My advice is to fly to the U.S. first then worry about everything later. If it is VA, then so be it. What we have here is a chance to be a permanent resident legally in the U.S. no matter what State he will be in. I understand that he needs support but unless you know Pres. Bush or someone powerful there then you can ask a favor. You cannot buy him out of the agency and then look a job for him. If he is petitioned under I-140 Employment Based Immigrant Visa that would be fraud...GREENCARDS FOR SALE is a violation of the INA and that is punishable by law.

That is the main reason why the U.S. Embassy is asking a letter from the Agency and Facility that he will be working on. I am really sorry to say that because of the abuse of Filipinos on tourists visas and committing immigration fraud the U.S. Embassy stricltly screens every appilication so these applicants would NOT be LIABILITIES when they get in the U.S.

If he's already there, then check how much is the contract. I agree with Suzanne that a contract BUY OUT would cost as much as $20,000...but be sure he is in the U.S. already...or else he would have to go back to SQUARE 1 and wait again.

Dale (I am also a Filipino)

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Dale and Suzanne,

Thank you so much for your advice. I guess since he's contracted with them for the next 18 months, that would mean nothing to the wait he has gone through (over two years) while in the Phils. After all, all FNGs need to adjust whether they have their family or not.

The buy-out is steep! I don't think their work is even worth $20T. We actually paid for everything except for his trip to Saipan for his NCLEX. Goodness. Oh well. He has decided to take the interview for VA and if offered a position, will just have to take it until he's done with the contract, then move to CA in the future. :crying2:

Thanks Dale. You're right, as long as he gets here in the US for better life and opportunities, that would count more than letting such opportunity pass you by.

And thanks Suzanne. I have been reading all your posts - you have helped so many nurses with all your advice.

My brother as well extends his appreciation. :balloons:

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OGP does not give any promise in writing of where they will place you. They are known for this. Unfortunately, he has signed a contract with them, and their buy-out is about $20,000..........take a close look at the contract.

Be aware also, that his petition was only for OGP. If he does a buyout, he needs to start the process all over again. He cannot use the same petition and work for another company or hospital.

Not sure if you considered that.

That is why I insist that everyone read over the fine print of each and every contract and make sure that they are aware that if it isn't in the contract in writing, then the agency or facility doesn't have to live up to it. Only if the contract explicitly states they he was offered a position in CA.

Hi Suzanne! Can you give us pointers on what to look for in a contract? Things to watch out for? Things that we should know before signing? I know some people who just signed without really asking questions because a friend of their's is with the same agency.

Also, I hope you can answer my other questions in the other thread.

Thanks a lot!!! :)

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Dale and Suzanne,

Thank you so much for your advice. I guess since he's contracted with them for the next 18 months, that would mean nothing to the wait he has gone through (over two years) while in the Phils. After all, all FNGs need to adjust whether they have their family or not.

The buy-out is steep! I don't think their work is even worth $20T. We actually paid for everything except for his trip to Saipan for his NCLEX. Goodness. Oh well. He has decided to take the interview for VA and if offered a position, will just have to take it until he's done with the contract, then move to CA in the future. :crying2:

Thanks Dale. You're right, as long as he gets here in the US for better life and opportunities, that would count more than letting such opportunity pass you by.

And thanks Suzanne. I have been reading all your posts - you have helped so many nurses with all your advice.

My brother as well extends his appreciation. :balloons:

You are quite welcome................. :)

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Hi Suzanne! Can you give us pointers on what to look for in a contract? Things to watch out for? Things that we should know before signing? I know some people who just signed without really asking questions because a friend of their's is with the same agency.

Also, I hope you can answer my other questions in the other thread.

Thanks a lot!!! :)

Where you will be placed, and it must specifically list a state, and preferable the facility or the type of unit.

Length of contract.

What the buyout would be if you leave the contract before, or the facility terminates you.

What expenses exactly are they covereing, what are you responsible for out of your own pocket.............

Make sure that every sinlge thing that the recruiter promised to you is in writing, if it is not in there, then it doesn't exist.

These are just a few..........

And I answered your other posts............ :)

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Where you will be placed, and it must specifically list a state, and preferable the facility or the type of unit.

Length of contract.

What the buyout would be if you leave the contract before, or the facility terminates you.

What expenses exactly are they covereing, what are you responsible for out of your own pocket.............

Make sure that every sinlge thing that the recruiter promised to you is in writing, if it is not in there, then it doesn't exist.

These are just a few..........

And I answered your other posts............ :)

Hi! Thank you for all the help. Hope to meet you someday and thank you personally. You've been a big help to all of us who are in the dark. Thank you.

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you are welcome.
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