Foreign Nurses from the Philippines

pinayhomegirl · May 17, 2004

i agree with you. there are some agencies that offer a "good" starting salary only then to realize that it is also subjected to taxes. everything is, right? hey, guys..can you help me out with a good agency here in LA? actually, i really like it here. it's like the philippines!!!!

i got contact with an agency that offered free housing (meaning they will pay for the tax) for the whole duration of the contract. they give out a $1,000 allowance for the nurse. sana all agencies are like that. its good that im already here so i can work and at the same time process my papers.

i am torn between wishing all filipino nurses experience the life here and advising them to stay home and help "our" patients. maybe the decision is up to them. it's nice here. As in! but when i think about it..sometimes i feel guilty not being able to serve my "kababayans" first.haaaaay buhaaay..

:confused:

Some foreigners are not aware that they will be responsible for taxes on any money paid at the end of the year. Just trying to clear the matter up for them.
Don't take it personally.................

nornor · May 17, 2004

hi neriners!i can understand your concerns,and to think of it...we really need some experience to refresh our memory regarding clinical exposures.for me,i worked in HK for 4years and i had to give that up to go back to hospital work--and as a volunteer for almost a year.i'm now in the US for 2years and some months working in a community hospital.mahirap noong simula coz i didn't have a lot of experience.i'm still adjusting and i still have a lot to learn but i guess that's an everyday process.hope you'll find your priorities soon and entrust all to GOD!!!

suzanne4, RN · May 17, 2004

i agree with you. there are some agencies that offer a "good" starting salary only then to realize that it is also subjected to taxes. everything is, right? hey, guys..can you help me out with a good agency here in LA? actually, i really like it here. it's like the philippines!!!!
i got contact with an agency that offered free housing (meaning they will pay for the tax) for the whole duration of the contract. they give out a $1,000 allowance for the nurse. sana all agencies are like that. its good that im already here so i can work and at the same time process my papers.
i am torn between wishing all filipino nurses experience the life here and advising them to stay home and help "our" patients. maybe the decision is up to them. it's nice here. As in! but when i think about it..sometimes i feel guilty not being able to serve my "kababayans" first.haaaaay buhaaay..

If you are working while you are having your papers processed, then you are not legally working as a registered nurse in the US. Are they having you start on an F1 visa and then telling you that they will have it changed over?

Be very careful, or you can get burned quite bad. Read the fine rpint of that contract, it is not just for three years, but at thier discretion. There is no fast and easy ride. To work legally in the US, in California, will take about 18 months and there is no way around it. Plus if they said F1 and you can work, that is illegal also, as you are not permitted to work on an F1 visa.

You are really asking for trouble. Justnever say that I didn't warn you.......

pinayhomegirl · May 20, 2004

hi suzanne, thank you for your advice.. i already read a sample contract and after i pass the state board, they will get me a working permit me and then petition me. i would be on a "WORKING VISA". i am a nurse and never would i jeopardize my situation.thanks again for the advice.

If you are working while you are having your papers processed, then you are not legally working as a registered nurse in the US. Are they having you start on an F1 visa and then telling you that they will have it changed over?
Be very careful, or you can get burned quite bad. Read the fine rpint of that contract, it is not just for three years, but at thier discretion. There is no fast and easy ride. To work legally in the US, in California, will take about 18 months and there is no way around it. Plus if they said F1 and you can work, that is illegal also, as you are not permitted to work on an F1 visa.
You are really asking for trouble. Justnever say that I didn't warn you.......

suzanne4, RN · May 20, 2004

There is no such thing as a working permit for a Registered Nurse in the U.S. The only legal permit was H1-B visa, which is no longer an option.

The only way that you can legally work as a nurse is with a green card, you need to have the petition completed first and have it accepted and go for your interview with the US Embassy.

That contract is very dangerous to you..................if you can send me a copy, I would love to see it....................

paz_y_luz · May 20, 2004

I hope that some people will NOT just fly to Saipan to take the NCLEX

without any paperwork and ATT from the Saipan Nursing Board....

Ria

The ATT letter does not come from the Saipan Nursing Board, but from

the state in the US where you wish to take the exam. You still need the

same documents to take NCLEX, no matter where you take it, such as an

ATT letter. However, you do not need the full US tourist visa to take

the exam in Saipan, as you do to take it in other locales.

The exam still has to be scheduled with Pearson-Vue and you must have

an ATT letter to sit for the exam. Many nurses from Thailand go to

Saipan to take the exam.

************

Susan,

Thanks so much for sharing your expertise here. It will save people from a lot of heartache...

I like idea of taking the NCLEX-RN in Saipan, and so that I'm clear on what's required, can you tell me what is the ATT letter (what does it stand for), how do I get it, and whatelse is involved in setting up the exam (besides scheduling with Pearson-Vue)? Also, what I understand - what I have read - is that Saipan does not requre a tourist visa for stays under three days, but that the test center in Saipan can only handle 6 nurses a day. Is my understanding correct?

Luz :balloons:

suzanne4, RN · May 21, 2004

The NCLEX exam is one of your last steps, or should be.

1. Depending on which state that you wish to work in, you need to submit an application to their Board of Nursing. Once they have approved your educational qualifications, they will send you an ATT letter, authorization to test. Once you have that letter, you can then schedule yourself with Pearson-Vue for the NCLEX exam, but definitely do not do it until you have the letter in hand. Right now, California is taking minimum of 6 months just for the letter, if that is where you are considering.

2. You need to submit for Visa Screen, through CGFNS, http://www.CGFNS.org, as soon as possible. This also can take months. You must have the green card to legally work as a registered nurse in the US. You cannot work on a tourist visa, nor can you work on a student visa, which agencies are scamming that you can.

3. Be Careful, if using an agency................ Be very careful..... :balloons:

kyutnurse · May 22, 2004

Miss Suzanne, I think with the ATT which comes from Pearson after the state

board where you are applying for a license have given the clearance for that applicant to sit for the board exam, you could take the board exam anywhere in the US and territories, am I correct??? Because I am waiting for my ATT to sit for board, but I applied here in Texas Nursing Board, but I could take it somewhere else....but I plan to just apply for endorsement in the California RN Board, when my license comes out....

suzanne4, RN · May 22, 2004

You may take the exam in any state or possession of the US that it is offered in. Just need to have an ATT letter in hand from one state.

:balloons:

neriners · May 28, 2004

hi neriners!i can understand your concerns,and to think of it...we really need some experience to refresh our memory regarding clinical exposures.for me,i worked in HK for 4years and i had to give that up to go back to hospital work--and as a volunteer for almost a year.i'm now in the US for 2years and some months working in a community hospital.mahirap noong simula coz i didn't have a lot of experience.i'm still adjusting and i still have a lot to learn but i guess that's an everyday process.hope you'll find your priorities soon and entrust all to GOD!!!
:) thanks nornor! i perfectly understand that i need to prioritize, but the thing is i have 2 kids to feed. and giving up my work is gonna be the biggest risk of my life. consider me as "sigurista" or someone who always wants to make it sure first. that's the way it is when you're a mother/parent. you don't easily take any risk if it will affect your children. hope you understand that.
good for you, you were able to give up HK work. where are you based now? is it really hard to adjust? i understand you're there 2 years ago? did you bring your family with you? i just signed up the INS form last month. accdg to agency, if everthing goes well, we can leave before the year ends. we'll probably based in maryland.
keep in touch! God bless you.. :balloons:

nornor · May 28, 2004

:) hope everything goes well with your application...our set up in the phils is somewhat similar to what they have here but they r more "mabusisi"sa mga procedures,they have protocols n every procedure which i think is good."nakakatakot"sa simula...well,i still get nervous and freaks out most of the time...co-workers always there to lend a hand or "a mind".but if u ask,experience is a must to get u started--that's what i think.i am in north dakota,"d coldest if not one of the coldest"states in d us.i came here with an H1B visa.my contract expires next year...i might move on,GODwilling.will u come here as an immigrant then?how long have you been processing your application?
hope to hear from you!

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 29, 2004

Hey folks, can we keep it in English so everyone can participate? Thanks.