Foreign Nurses from the Philippines

eperey · Jul 31, 2004

Hi! Lawyer's fee are too expensive. It is common nowadays for employers/hospitals to shoulder all expenses to bring a nurse to the US. Which includes CGFNS, IELTS, VISA SCREEN, visa and lawyer's fees.
I think you should look for other employers who will sponsor you for free and at the same reimburse all your expenses incurred on the CGFNS,etc.
I know of someone who spent personnally for the CGFNS and the English exams then the employer who hired her reimburse all the expenses.
Good luck! :)

I knew someone, too. His employer paid all the expenses plus 3 months FREE accomodation but offered $25/ hour and will be reduced if he won't pass the NCLEX. That is in the place with same cost of living as my prospective employer.

Rep · Jul 31, 2004

i truly don't understand.....
anyone coming to the united states for all these wonderful opportunities, would expect u.s. hospitals to help pay their way????

Hi Earle,

I am speaking only for the Philippines setting in regards to foreign recruitment.

As far as I can remember, during the late 1980's, US hospitals would shoulder the expenses of Filipino nurses coming to work in their hospitals. This practice was stopped in the 1990's.

During the 2000's, because of the "nursing shortage," employers/staffing agencies/hospitals started this practice again.

Filipinos nurses if employed locally here can earned between $100 to $150 a month. This kind of salary will not help if one has a desire to work in the US. English exams like TOEFL, TSE and IELTS cost around $125 each. CGFNS is $325 while Visa Creen Certification costs $325. Immigration fees for petition is $135. Immigration lawyers' fee is $1000+.

With these expenses, no Filipino nurses can afford and go to work in the US.

Except for a very few who comes from wealthy families.

With the "nursing shortage," American employers are spending so that Filipino nurses can go and staff understaffed US hospitals.

Also these employers would let Filipinos signed working contracts up to 3 years. If a nurse want to stop working for the hospital, then she have to pay at the most $5000 to get out of the contract.

HONESTLY, I don't quite understand the mentality of spending big dollars for us when these can be used as incentives for Americans to go back into nursing.

One reason maybe that is easy and cheaper to get a licensed nurse from a foreign country instead of investing in a student and wait at least two years for her to graduate from nursing schools. With the high attrition rates in nursing schools, no profit-minded company would do that.

Also, Filipino nurses would stay in their profession for good unlike American nurses who would change jobs from time to time. This is an honest opinion of mine.

Most Filipinos are taking this opportunity offered by US employers so that we could immigrate to the US. Have a good job and help our extended families back home by sending money to finance their education, etc. Please don't blame us for that. :)

leslie :-D · Jul 31, 2004

it's not a matter of blame at all.

as you stated rep, you have to wonder where one's priorities are?

and i certainly would hope that no one would feel entitled to this financial assistance, but rather perceive it as the gift it is.

peace,

leslie

Rep · Jul 31, 2004

I knew someone, too. His employer paid all the expenses plus 3 months FREE accomodation but offered $25/ hour and will be reduced if he won't pass the NCLEX. That is in the place with same cost of living as my prospective employer.

Hi,

Usually hospitals would reduced your pay if you didn't pass the NCLEX. Personally, if I have the budget, I would spent for myself so that the agency will not have a cut on my salary. If you are willing to spend $1000+ for lawyer's and immigration fees but get the higher pay then go for it. The important thing is that you have a hospital that is willing to sponsor you for a greencard. As nurses, we need an employment based petition for us to work in the US and only a US employer/hospital can do that with the help of an attorney. I believe your hospital doesn't want to spend for you but it works good for you considering the pay that you will get.

Hope this little info will help.

Rep · Jul 31, 2004

it's not a matter of blame at all.
as you stated rep, you have to wonder where one's priorities are?
and i certainly would hope that no one would feel entitled to this financial assistance, but rather perceive it as the gift it is.
peace,
leslie

Leslie,

Thank you for your thoughts. As a gift and opportunity for us to achieve our dreams to live and work in your country.

Have a nice day ahead! :)

leslie :-D · Jul 31, 2004

Leslie,
Thank you for your thoughts. As a gift and opportunity for us to achieve our dreams to live and work in your country.
Have a nice day ahead! :)

that's why so many come here......the land of the free. and as many know, the land of opportunity.

eperey · Aug 1, 2004

Hi,
Usually hospitals would reduced your pay if you didn't pass the NCLEX. Personally, if I have the budget, I would spent for myself so that the agency will not have a cut on my salary. If you are willing to spend $1000+ for lawyer's and immigration fees but get the higher pay then go for it. The important thing is that you have a hospital that is willing to sponsor you for a greencard. As nurses, we need an employment based petition for us to work in the US and only a US employer/hospital can do that with the help of an attorney. I believe your hospital doesn't want to spend for you but it works good for you considering the pay that you will get.
Hope this little info will help.

Thanks for your thoughts. By the way, attorney's + immigration fee cost $3000+ now.

wol · Sep 27, 2004

Hi Suzanne,

Glad ur there to answer the query of our co fil nurses. I want your opinion also im expected to arrive in US by March 2005, just waiting for my final interview before the year ends. I got job offer from San Diego, Dallas and Forth Worth... its my choice but i need to know w/c place is best to live with my family, I got a 14 y.o. son, 6y 5y and 4y old kids with weather and standard of living im still searching for an answer...

kyutnurse · Sep 28, 2004

Hello People!

I have settled in the Bay area...and had my little boy already! He's wonderful and handsome! I am still searching for a good facility to start with...I just wanted to let you guys know that (maybe you guys remember me???) Anyway....I also want to mention to WOL...I lived in Dallas Ft Worth area from 1997-2004, it's a good area, but it depends exactly where you will be working at and which area you guys want to settle in...Dallas and Ft Worth are 2 separate cities but they are what you call "twin-cities" they are 40 miles or so apart....it would help to read about these places where you will be living at...Dallas Ft Worth have good real estate housing rates at this point, which means you would most likely buy a good new home there but also search the areas where you will be living at, and check the school system also...some places have good schools, some dont- so, just be careful where you want your kids to go....some are really safe, some are so-so. .. you will notice what am talking about, but be very observant where you will finally decide. There's not many filipinos in DFW, unlike in California. But also in Texas, there's no state tax, California you have to pay state tax, Texas is "non-union state" California have "nursing unions"....Might help you, there's alot of filipino-nurses in ICU in Dallas hospitals, that's usually where they are...I have said a few things, maybe this will help, maybe not...it's up to you.... GOOD LUCK!!!! I miss Texas!!!

kyutnurse, RN (hey! it's good to be one!)

[email protected]

wol · Sep 28, 2004

Hello People!
I have settled in the Bay area...and had my little boy already! He's wonderful and handsome! I am still searching for a good facility to start with...I just wanted to let you guys know that (maybe you guys remember me???) Anyway....I also want to mention to WOL...I lived in Dallas Ft Worth area from 1997-2004, it's a good area, but it depends exactly where you will be working at and which area you guys want to settle in...Dallas and Ft Worth are 2 separate cities but they are what you call "twin-cities" they are 40 miles or so apart....it would help to read about these places where you will be living at...Dallas Ft Worth have good real estate housing rates at this point, which means you would most likely buy a good new home there but also search the areas where you will be living at, and check the school system also...some places have good schools, some dont- so, just be careful where you want your kids to go....some are really safe, some are so-so. .. you will notice what am talking about, but be very observant where you will finally decide. There's not many filipinos in DFW, unlike in California. But also in Texas, there's no state tax, California you have to pay state tax, Texas is "non-union state" California have "nursing unions"....Might help you, there's alot of filipino-nurses in ICU in Dallas hospitals, that's usually where they are...I have said a few things, maybe this will help, maybe not...it's up to you.... GOOD LUCK!!!! I miss Texas!!!
kyutnurse, RN (hey! it's good to be one!)
[email protected]

Hi kyut,

Glad you have given some information, i quess Dallas is also a best place to live. Im always thinkin of the welfare of may kids i hope they will not be culturize by the new surroundings thanx anyway hope you will have a good time in rearing your boy. I miss mine i send them to Phils 6 months back and they have tough time in our language since they were born & brought up in Middle East. Hopefully theyre coming with me in this new Land. I wish to hear from you more. God Speed!

Rep · Sep 28, 2004

Hello People!
I have settled in the Bay area...and had my little boy already! He's wonderful and handsome! I am still searching for a good facility to start with...I just wanted to let you guys know that (maybe you guys remember me???) Anyway....I also want to mention to WOL...I lived in Dallas Ft Worth area from 1997-2004, it's a good area, but it depends exactly where you will be working at and which area you guys want to settle in...Dallas and Ft Worth are 2 separate cities but they are what you call "twin-cities" they are 40 miles or so apart....it would help to read about these places where you will be living at...Dallas Ft Worth have good real estate housing rates at this point, which means you would most likely buy a good new home there but also search the areas where you will be living at, and check the school system also...some places have good schools, some dont- so, just be careful where you want your kids to go....some are really safe, some are so-so. .. you will notice what am talking about, but be very observant where you will finally decide. There's not many filipinos in DFW, unlike in California. But also in Texas, there's no state tax, California you have to pay state tax, Texas is "non-union state" California have "nursing unions"....Might help you, there's alot of filipino-nurses in ICU in Dallas hospitals, that's usually where they are...I have said a few things, maybe this will help, maybe not...it's up to you.... GOOD LUCK!!!! I miss Texas!!!
kyutnurse, RN (hey! it's good to be one!)
[email protected]

Have remember you allright. Glad that you are there. Keep us posted. Good luck!

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2004

Thank you everyone for adding insight on what you have to go through to come to the US to work. I work with Phillipino nurses and am happy to see them. So far the biggest problems have been language. I have asked our nurses and doctors to speak slowly, clearly and don't use slang terms.

What are some of the biggest problems you have faced in the first few months in the US? Maybe we can help make this transition a little friendlier in the future.