i am confused if would i rather go back in the philippines and continue nursing there

SCgirl22 · Mar 7, 2009

Well I don't know about Hawaii, but I have many co-workers who were educated in the Philippines and are now RNs here in the states (I am in Texas). They are all excellent nurses and they say it is much cheaper to complete your education there as opposed to here in the US.

I think either way you would get a good education and have the potential to become a great nurse. It depends on your financial situation and what you are willing to sacrifice...no one here can make that decision for you! Good luck in whatever you choose to do :nurse:

KatWright · Mar 7, 2009

Like SCgirl22, I too have many coworkers who are from the Philippines. They are superb nurses and I am proud to call them my peer.

When my daughter was looking at colleges, I had HER do the math. She could go to a big name college (she had the grades and was accepted, but we had no money, no grants, no scholarships). She could attend the community college and transfer to the university and we could afford it WITHOUT loans or she could go to the big name college and be in $ 80,000 debt. She chose NO debt and is grateful. She has friends who have so much debt that there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

You are around 20 years old and in 3 years you will be 23 with or without an education.

You are being offered a HUGE gift of education from your parents. Take it with gratitude.

redranger · Mar 7, 2009

Here are your options:

Get you US eduction: Only need 2 years ADN degree in order to sit for NCLEX

Go to PI and get your Bachelor (US requires that to be RN in USA).

My wife graduated in March 2008 from PI.

We paid around $1,000 per Semester for school.

I had her a (nice/gated entrance)sd` 2 bedroom apartment that ran $80 per month, Electricity/Water ran around $18 per month, and DSL internet connect cost $20 per month

Her living expenses per month ran $100 per month.

She is in Texas now, and only thing she had to do to become a RN was:

I had her transcripts evalutated to say her education is comparable to a USA eduction and sent to Texas BON. She was not required to sit for local NLE exam in PI.

Katie82, RN · Mar 7, 2009

I worked in Hawaii as a nurse and worked with a lot of nurses from the Phillippines. If you have a degree from the Phillippines, you would have to take the NCLEX for foreign-trained nurses. I heard it was rough, but that may have changed with the nursing shortage. If you go to school in Hawaii, you don't necessarily have to do a 4 yr program. The Community College on Oahu has a 2 yr program. This would get you into a nursing job, and you could get your BSN later, perhaps have your employer pay part of it. Keep in mind that Hawaii is one of the most expensive states in the country for living costs - do you have any family on the Mainland?

Katie82, RN · Mar 7, 2009

She is in Texas now, and only thing she had to do to become a RN was:
I had her transcripts evalutated to say her education is comparable to a USA eduction and sent to Texas BON. She was not required to sit for local NLE exam in PI.

She did not have to take the NCLEX?

I know that with the nursing shortage, many understaffed hospitals have agreements with state BONs that they will allow foreign-trained RNs to work at that hospital under special circumstances. For example, in the Baltimore area, several hospitals import nurses that have five years to pass the NCLEX or return home. It is also possible that your wife is working for the VA system, which does not require a state license (have heard this will be changing). But cannot believe that she would not have to take the NCLEX for an unrestricted license.

redranger · Mar 7, 2009

I worked in Hawaii as a nurse and worked with a lot of nurses from the Phillippines. If you have a degree from the Phillippines, you would have to take the NCLEX for foreign-trained nurses.

No such test exist, as in NCLEX for Foreign Trained.

NCLEX is given worldwide and it's available in Manila, it 's the same test no matter where you are educated..

redranger · Mar 7, 2009

She did not have to take the NCLEX?
I know that with the nursing shortage, many understaffed hospitals have agreements with state BONs that they will allow foreign-trained RNs to work at that hospital under special circumstances. For example, in the Baltimore area, several hospitals import nurses that have five years to pass the NCLEX or return home. It is also possible that your wife is working for the VA system, which does not require a state license (have heard this will be changing). But cannot believe that she would not have to take the NCLEX for an unrestricted license.

Yes, She had to take NCLEX to be RN in USA. She didn't bother taking NLE in PI.

I don't think USA lets foreign licenses nurses work as a RN in USA unless they pass NCLEX, They may let them work, but just not under the title or duties of RN.

I have never heard (Nor have I checked) she could work for VA system, But I would assume she would need NCLEX to be a U.S. RN there as well.

You need to check with your state BON, or the state you plan on working and see if you need NLE exam if you plan on going back to school in PI.

Vito Andolini · Mar 7, 2009

Well I don't know about Hawaii, but I have many co-workers who were educated in the Philippines and are now RNs here in the states (I am in Texas). They are all excellent nurses and they say it is much cheaper to complete your education there as opposed to here in the US.
I think either way you would get a good education and have the potential to become a great nurse. It depends on your financial situation and what you are willing to sacrifice...no one here can make that decision for you! Good luck in whatever you choose to do

Umm, last I heard, Hawaii was still part of The States. :yeah:

For OP: I know that a graduate from the PI faces a lot of steps to take, many hoops to jump through, to become a nurse in America. It can be done but it is not easy. You need to talk with some other Filipino nurses here in the US and find out exact information. There are agencies that arrange this, are there not? There is the INS to consider. A lot of Filipino nurses come in through Canada, or used to. You need exact information from the right sources - maybe the Ambassador to the US from the PI? Or the RN licensing agency in the PI? I wish you well.

mayoUNO · Mar 8, 2009

yes i have some relatives in mainland..but still it is expenssive anywhere here in Us if i compare it from PI..i am 18 now and i have 1yr in BSN in phil already so it only takes me 3 more yrs to have my bachelor back there..i am just worry that they won't credit my subjects here because 18 is just HS here

redranger · Mar 8, 2009

Umm, last I heard, Hawaii was still part of The States.
For OP: I know that a graduate from the PI faces a lot of steps to take, many hoops to jump through, to become a nurse in America. It can be done but it is not easy. You need to talk with some other Filipino nurses here in the US and find out exact information.

Actually it's a easy process for a nurse from PI to become a RN in USA. Each state has it own requirements, But for my wife only thing we had to extra was to have her transcripts evaluted by CES company.

It took about a month for the CES, it was sent to the Texas BON and then she was authorized to sit for NCLEX.

I don't know what are the "Many Hoops" you talk about.

soleechiu · Nov 25, 2009

i think its better if you go back to PI. yeah you could continue here but you will have to wait 1to 2 years to be in the program. and thats only for AS degree. getting bachelor will take you 3 to 4 years. so it will take you 5 to 6 years to get the bachelor i think? not sure. thats why im planning the same thing. youre lucky youre only 18 im 29 turning 30 next year. so even if its a lil late for me i will take the risk of going back there and finish my bachelor. good luck to you..