BSN RN from the Philippines, new here in Oregon

elkpark · Feb 8, 2010

You cannot work in any position that requires a nursing license without holding an Oregon nursing license. You can work in other healthcare (or non-healthcare) positions that don't require licensure, if you are legally able to work here (you didn't mention what your visa/GC/whatever status is).

dadah_vxr · Feb 9, 2010

i'm a permanent resident here...so i'm able to work legally...ok so maybe i just have to focus on my review for the licensure first...

elkpark · Feb 9, 2010

That would be necessary for you to be able to work as an RN or LPN -- you can certainly work in other kinds of jobs while you're working through the process of getting licensed.

Best wishes!

OregonBSN · Feb 9, 2010

Welcome to the United States and welcome to Oregon.I was hired before I was licensed, but I am a rare case these days. The job market here is one worst for new graduates. We have numerous nursing schools here - including 6 BSN programs. Unfortunately I would say your job prospects are slim. Many new BSN grads are moving out of the area to find work.

It may be a litte different for you if you have a few years work experience as an RN in the Philippines. There is a lot of competition for jobs right now and a lot of unemployed new nurses.

With that there is a local chapter of the Filipino American Nurses Association.

dadah_vxr · Feb 9, 2010

thanks for the reply...

OregonBSN- what institution/ hospital did you worked for before having your license? can that possible to me too? because i'm still procesing my papers for the NCLEX...

OregonBSN · Feb 9, 2010

I wasn't working, I was a student. I interviewed for a job as a student and got a job offer as long as I passed the NCLEX.

Had you been working as a licensed RN back in the Philippines?

elkpark · Feb 10, 2010

thanks for the reply...
OregonBSN- what institution/ hospital did you worked for before having your license? can that possible to me too? because i'm still procesing my papers for the NCLEX...

People frequently apply for, interview for, and get offered nursing jobs before they have a license (for instance, while waiting to take the NCLEX after graduating, or they've applied for licensure in a new state but haven't received it yet) -- but they can't start actually working at the job as a nurse without having an active, valid license.

dadah_vxr · Feb 10, 2010

oh really? so i can apply for nursing jobs will processing for my license? would they hire me with pay or i will be like a volunterr for them?

elkpark · Feb 10, 2010

You can apply for nursing jobs, and even be offered a job, but you can't begin working as a nurse until you have an active license (and they don't start paying you until you are working). Usually this happens with new graduates who are going to be writing the NCLEX very soon, or an experienced nurse moving from another state, who has already applied for a license in the new state and is just waiting for it to be processed and issued -- in other words, when it's reasonable to assume that the person is going to have a license in the near future. I'm not sure how much success someone would have with job-hunting when there's no clear idea how long it might take to actually get licensed, or if it is clear that it's going to take a long time.

dadah_vxr · Feb 10, 2010

oh ok...the best thing to do is to prioritize my NCLEX first..and when i passed that's the time that i can do my job application...

can i ask another question, can i attend or join interships for specialization without my license?

caliotter3 · Feb 10, 2010

Internships are few and far between. Only licensed personnel will be selected for these unless it is for some type of position for which a license is not required.