to anyone interested in my confusion

[janae12]

I am a new grad year 2005, relatives from the states give advice on what actions to take. I already passed both cgfns and ielts, i grabbed the opportunity when they offered to pay for the said exams. Now, some would say "take the nclex first" others say "better to get experience first". I'm in the process of getting a job, unfortunately most of the hospitals in the city are full since there were too many nurses passed the local board in 2005. At this moment, I'm confused. What do you think should I do?

[Daning]

I think you should still try to get some experience. There are some good hospitals with openings for RNs in Metro Manila. Please check the Medical City www.themedicalcity.com and Capitol Medical Center www.capitolmedical.org websites for some of these job openings. Good luck.

[gracediwa]

If i were in your shoes, I would take nclex first and passed it. And then while waiting for your petition you can look for a job for experience. You have to remember that if you work first you won't have much time to study for nclex since you would be busy working. Just my humble opinion.

[edward12]

I agree with gradcediwa, better pass all the nclex first, there are hospitals which accepts even new graduate nurses these days because they have new graduate training programs. If you are planning to go to the U.S. even if you have the experience they will re-train you bec. the Philippine setting is very different from theirs.

[ZATHAN]

I do not agree... Since you passed both CGFNS and IELTS you already have a CG Certificate and a Visa Screen Certificate. Look for an employer in the U.S. who is willing to sponsor you under Employment Based Immigrant Visa. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act you are eligible to be sponsored AND TAKE NOTE NURSING EXPERIENCE IS NOT A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE LAW. YOU JUST NEED TO BE CERTIFIED BY EITHER CGFNS OR NCSBN in order your petition to be filed. Just look for a good employer.

Preserving a priority date which is earlier is the best option. Remember 50,000 visas will soon ran out for nurses. While waiting for the approval of your petition you can take NCLEX. The sooner someone petitions you the better!

Most of the facilities in the U.S. are different from the Philippines. You can have you own training here. Some of the nurses I have met claimed that they have 10 years of nursing experience only to find out that it is Clinical SITTING Experience and not actual work experience in a competent hospital setting.

Goodluck

ZATHAN