Applying for work

I worked with a lady who was a nurse in the Phillipines and was only able to work as a med aide here in the states. If she wanted to work as a nurse, she would have to repeat her schooling. I am not certain what type of schooling she completed in the Phillipines, or if she was equivalent to an LPN or RN. This is a question for the state board of nursing.

If you are able to take NCLEX-RN, you will have to apply for licensure in Illinois.

Good day!

I am from the Philippines and I passed my local board there and got my license. I have a green card and I plan to take NCLEX-RN here in Illinois; I want to know if I pass the NCLEX-RN here will I be able to apply for work right away or do I still need to study and have my training here before I could apply for work?

yes, you can work here in illinois as long as you have a license from the Philippiness. Your nclex application in illinois is valid for 3 years. Meaning you can retake nclex exam as much within that 3 year period.

yes, you can work here in illinois as long as you have a license from the Philippiness. Your nclex application in illinois is valid for 3 years. Meaning you can retake nclex exam as much within that 3 year period.

Double-check that, I think IL only allows up to 3 attempts in passing the NCLEX-RN within the 3 year ATT period. If those tries are used up, IL will require either taking a refresher course(s) or depending on when one graduated, they can make you re-take a 2 year program.

The state of FL also has the same policy of the number of times one is allowed to take the NCLEX.

Double-check that, I think IL only allows up to 3 attempts in passing the NCLEX-RN within the 3 year ATT period. If those tries are used up, IL will require either taking a refresher course(s) or depending on when one graduated, they can make you re-take a 2 year program.

The state of FL also has the same policy of the number of times one is allowed to take the NCLEX.

Hello steppybay,

I'm from IL, I failed 3 times and passed in 4th retake. The ATT issued from Pearson Vue is valid only for 90 days (3 months) but the ILLINOIS RN Application is valid for 3 years. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Hello steppybay,

I'm from IL, I failed 3 times and passed in 4th retake. The ATT issued from Pearson Vue is valid only for 90 days (3 months) but the ILLINOIS RN Application is valid for 3 years. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Hi, sugar rush (lovely name, lol), yes, you're right and I stand corrected. Congrats on your passing.

Here's some additional on the deal on the 3 year ATT validity period (from the IL Nursing Practice Act):

(b-5) If an applicant for licensure by examination neglects, fails, or refuses to take an examination or fails to pass an examination for a license within 3 years after filing the application, the application shall be denied. The applicant may make a new application accompanied by the required fee, evidence of meeting the requirements in force at the time of the new application, and proof of the successful completion of at least 2 additional years of professional nursing education.

Good day!

I am from the Philippines and I passed my local board there and got my license. I have a green card and I plan to take NCLEX-RN here in Illinois; I want to know if I pass the NCLEX-RN here will I be able to apply for work right away or do I still need to study and have my training here before I could apply for work?

You don't need to study any further once you pass the NCLEX and depending on whether or not you have 1-2 years or more of paid working nursing experience from the Phils will help your job hunt, but if not and you graduated more than a year ago, the chances of getting into any new grad program is very slim as you'll have passed the time limitation (of applying within one year of the graduation date, NOT the year one passes the NCLEX), especially if you're looking to work in a hospital setting.