Published Jul 25, 2016
RinoDG
4 Posts
Hi! I am currently a Sophomore in High School and I was wondering if I would be able to come back to the U.S to become a nurse after I get my BSN in the Philippines. The reason why I am in this situation is because I am Full Filipino and my mom and aunt (She Is a nurse that came and was born from the Philippines) are heavily trying to convince me to become a nurse. I want to be a nurse but I have researched and there are mixed answers alot of people say you could come back and just take the nclx and as long as you pass it you are fine. In addition, there are some people that say you can not and it is really not recommended. As far as what state I am coming back to after college I am thinking of coming back to Arizona or California specifically San Francisco Area. Please Help me!! Thank you so much for your help! If you have any question that need to be answered definitely let me know!
NICU Guy, BSN, RN
4,161 Posts
It has been said on this site that the best thing to do is get your schooling in the country you intend to work. If you want to work in the US, then go to school in the US. There are far more hoops to jump through trying to get your education from the Philippines approved by the state BON in the US in addition to the extra classes that are required to get a license in the US. As for California, it is difficult to get a license endorsed from US educated nurses. It is extremely difficult for foreign educated nurse to get a license. Plus, most areas of California is saturated with new grad nurses that can't find jobs.
nia_21
18 Posts
You are absolutely allowed to come back and just take it in some states. I currently live in AZ and trying do endorse my HI license here with a BSN from Philippines. The best advise from me is to look at the board of nursing you wish to practice after since there are some state that wants you to have your country's license before they grant you to test. Now, your family is probably encouraging you to go back home for this because of cheaper cost of getting a BSN compared to here and that's not bad. Just don't wait too long after graduation on taking the NCLEX.