Australian Nurses in the Philippines

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Hi

I am an Australian Nurse with 25 years experience, a masters Degree and i am currently employed as a Nurse Practitioner in a single nursing post remote area clinic. I love my job and don't want to leave it for a few years yet, but I have also fallen in love with the Philippines and would love to work my last few years as a nurse there. Does anyone know how I start this process? Do I need a sponsor? I would be happy to lecture in community health, child health or remote area practice but I guess that these are not big topics in the Philippine Nursing Schools. I would be also happy to work in aged care or child health doing check ups for children with special needs - i.e. living in poverty. I would not be worried to much about a high income although some income would be needed. If anyone can help me please let me know.

Steve

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I think you will find that getting a license allowing you to work as a nurse in the Philippines as being extremely difficult. My understanding from what others have posted and how unless a Philippine citizen can not sit the NLE unless in very extreme circumstances an International nurse will not get a licence

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Thanks - I had a feeling it was all export and no inport.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18575810

I just wanted to share this link with you.

I really don't want to discourage you,that is a great mission to help the Filipino people.There are thousands of unemployed nurses in the Philippines and some of them have to work at call centers after graduation just to earn a living.It's sad but true.Don't get me wrong,I think your best option is a volunteer,peace corp work and of course with volunteer work I don't think you'll get compensated for that.I know because it's based on my own experience that's the reason why I moved to the U.S.years ago.Hope this helps...

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Thanks - I guess I will just have to save harder and work there for no income when I am retired. I am an English teacher too so maybe I can earn a few Peso doing that. Thanks for your coments.

Steve

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

On the other hand, your goal seems not focused on actual clinical practice but rather teaching (community health, child health as you mentioned). I know many young nurses from the Philippines post here looking for hospital jobs. The truth is, community health nursing is an area of nursing that is recognized in the Philippines and is incorporated in the curriculum (it is a subject area that nurses are tested on in the licensure exam in addition to the usual Med-Surg, Maternal-Child Health, and Psych).

There are faculty members who specialize in community health in schools of nursing there. I would think that with you education and experience, well-known nursing schools with good reputations there (and they do exist) would be open to hiring someone with your qualifications. That would of course require the same route as any foreigner getting a visa to work there. However, be aware that the Philippines has its own unique public health issues and faculty members must be knowledgeable of the complexities and realities of this field in a setting like the Philippines.

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Mr.Steve,don't be discouraged.If that's what you really want to do,I'm sure you'll achieve your goals especially with your credentials.Remember an old true saying,"Where there is a will,there is a way."

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Thanks Juan and CJ - I am still studying, but I guess I need to start by approaching some of the Universities. I have taught before and quite enjoyed it. I have been to the Philippines a few times and I have noticed some of the Public Health issues that people face particularly amongst the indigenous population that live in the forests of Palawan around Port Barton. These people remind me of the ones I currently work with. Lost land and live on the edge with a language that is shrinking, born and die in poverty. Then there are the street dwellers in Manila that have no sanitation and even less options in life. It is an interesting place and I love it even though I see many people having quite a hard time with their day to day life. Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

Steve

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Mr. Steve first of all I want to thank you for choosing Philippines to work as a nurse and I really hope that you find the kind of job you are looking for as the others have posted there are some difficulties that you will be facing in working in our country but others also have posted that some universities will be very interested in hiring you I also think that so God bless to you:)

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Go there and open a School if you can. People love to pay money for a education they can't use there

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