Help please! am a new nurse.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 23, 2009

Moved to the International forum as per the red banner

I would suggest you study for the NCLEX whilst waiting for the BON to process your application and decide whether you are eligible to sit NCLEX or not. English exam I don't think is required by Texas but each state will have their own policy and some require English exam regardless on being in the US or not if not already a US citizen or from a country where English is the first language.

Don't forget you still need to submit a application form to Texas and DO NOT register with Pearsonvue (they will be the ones to issue your ATT) until you have received eligibility

Fiona59 · Dec 23, 2009

Are you legally allowed to work in the US?

Then look for an aide's position in a hospital to learn the flow of things.

IV therapy is included in North American nurses education. Something you are expected to know.

CPR. Needed as part of your education. If yours is about to expire, take a refresher. Having said that, my hospital will give you the course annually (as a paid education day) once hired.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 23, 2009

If included with mother's application and under 21 plus unmarried then as far as I am aware they will get a immigrant visa

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2009

You can take an IV therapy course to help refresh your memory. Most places require you to have your BLS card and it should be from a reputable place like Red Cross or American Heart Association.

honeylove_joy · Dec 24, 2009

You can take an IV therapy course to help refresh your memory. Most places require you to have your BLS card and it should be from a reputable place like Red Cross or American Heart Association.

what's a BLS card? and where can i get one? are you not supposed to be like certified IV trained as a requirement of the job?

thanks!

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Dec 25, 2009

BLS is basic life support. You can get it at American Red Cross,local community colleges, or local hospital. You need to take the Health professional version, most employers look for American Heart Association or Red Cross. IV Therapy is included in American Nursing Schools , an RN should be qualified for the basics but the employer will provide orientation. Nursing associations often have courses.

ninejams · Dec 29, 2009

Hi. I was in the same spot as you, but I never took the Filipino Licensure exam and took the NCLEX-RN right away. You're doing the right thing as far as researching on things you should do until your papers are done and you're ready to sit for the NCLEX. You should have started 6 months ago, because it is tedious work and sometimes you don't get any word that your papers have already been sent over. They can get lost in the mail so keep calling CES or BON to follow up. Start reviewing for the NCLEX because it is a different sort of exam, and they have made it a lot different just this year.

If you can find any IV refresher courses in your area, do so. I can't find any in my area and will have to travel somewhere else. We do have knowledge of IV therapy from school, we just need practice. You'll be surprised that a lot of new nurses are the same way as you, so just be ready to practice what you know!

From my experience, I got my CES - CGFNS papers ready in about 6 months. There's no need to take the CGFNS or an English exam. They assess your transcripts from the Philippines and give you an evaluation on whether you are qualified to take the NCLEX. If you are not sure what to do, call either CES or the BON to confirm what your next moves are. Sometimes they already have your papers done and mailed to you, but it does get lost in the mail and you will not hear from any of them. I also advise that you review through the http://learningext.com/pages/home website. They're the closest and cheapest I found to reviewing for the NCLEX. My next bet is Saunders. If you have enough money, Kaplan. This board is also full of advise on how to review.

Granted you already got a social security card within the first month that you moved there, find medical related jobs around the area because it really matters that you're working / or are interested in working in a medical field! I made the mistake of overstaying at a non-medical field while reviewing for the NCLEX, and got too lax because I earned enough to pay the bills, got caught up with trying to be independent and having my own apartment while my test took a backseat for a while. Life was a lot different and I got too excited to do it all on my own. It doesn't look good on your resume and there wasn't any good explanation for it. Home caregivers, unlicensed personnel, volunteer jobs at the hospital, support staff are a few examples of medical jobs that require little training, and certification is sponsored by the employer. Definitely take a basic life support (BLS) course through the American Red Cross because all nursing jobs require it.

Good luck. The NCLEX is easy but you have to be prepared for it by practicing as many questions as you can, and having the mindset for it.

* Nevada experience. I'm just sharing what I had to do. :)

honeylove_joy · Dec 29, 2009

Hi. I was in the same spot as you, but I never took the Filipino Licensure exam and took the NCLEX-RN right away. You're doing the right thing as far as researching on things you should do until your papers are done and you're ready to sit for the NCLEX. You should have started 6 months ago, because it is tedious work and sometimes you don't get any word that your papers have already been sent over. They can get lost in the mail so keep calling CES or BON to follow up. Start reviewing for the NCLEX because it is a different sort of exam, and they have made it a lot different just this year.
If you can find any IV refresher courses in your area, do so. I can't find any in my area and will have to travel somewhere else. We do have knowledge of IV therapy from school, we just need practice. You'll be surprised that a lot of new nurses are the same way as you, so just be ready to practice what you know!
From my experience, I got my CES - CGFNS papers ready in about 6 months. There's no need to take the CGFNS or an English exam. They assess your transcripts from the Philippines and give you an evaluation on whether you are qualified to take the NCLEX. If you are not sure what to do, call either CES or the BON to confirm what your next moves are. Sometimes they already have your papers done and mailed to you, but it does get lost in the mail and you will not hear from any of them. I also advise that you review through the http://learningext.com/pages/home website. They're the closest and cheapest I found to reviewing for the NCLEX. My next bet is Saunders. If you have enough money, Kaplan. This board is also full of advise on how to review.
Granted you already got a social security card within the first month that you moved there, find medical related jobs around the area because it really matters that you're working / or are interested in working in a medical field! I made the mistake of overstaying at a non-medical field while reviewing for the NCLEX, and got too lax because I earned enough to pay the bills, got caught up with trying to be independent and having my own apartment while my test took a backseat for a while. Life was a lot different and I got too excited to do it all on my own. It doesn't look good on your resume and there wasn't any good explanation for it. Home caregivers, unlicensed personnel, volunteer jobs at the hospital, support staff are a few examples of medical jobs that require little training, and certification is sponsored by the employer. Definitely take a basic life support (BLS) course through the American Red Cross because all nursing jobs require it.
Good luck. The NCLEX is easy but you have to be prepared for it by practicing as many questions as you can, and having the mindset for it.
* Nevada experience. I'm just sharing what I had to do. :)

wow. thanksomuch! you've got so much information for me.

i'll absolutely follow your suggestions/advice.

thanks!

ninejams · Dec 29, 2009

You're welcome! Just remember to focus and follow up. Don't do what I did! :) Be consistent studying everyday and set up a plan that is reasonable for you to follow. Don't take more than two days taking a break from studying. Once you take the NCLEX, it will be a easy!! Some people suggest answering 10,000 questions total, others less, some say 100/day until your exam, some say 300/day but the important thing is understanding the rationale and having a good firm foundation of basic nursing. (Saunders rocks). It is such a tricky but easy test. It's ridiculous, really. :)

*btw, I think we're not allowed to post links anymore and I just did. Sorry about that! learningext (com) is the site in case the post gets deleted.

honeylove_joy · Dec 29, 2009

Granted you already got a social security card within the first month that you moved there, find medical related jobs around the area because it really matters that you're working / or are interested in working in a medical field! ... Home caregivers, unlicensed personnel, volunteer jobs at the hospital, support staff are a few examples of medical jobs that require little training, and certification is sponsored by the employer. Definitely take a basic life support (BLS) course through the American Red Cross because all nursing jobs require it.

With regards to finding medical related job, I'm not sure if foreign graduates are allowed temporary authorization to practice nursing. I read from somewhere (I'm pretty sure it's from the website of TX BON) that temporary permits are only issued to graduates who completed an accredited basic nursing education program within the United States. but I'm trying to go back to that page but I can't seem to find it or I can't remember which part it is.

And about the BLS, is American Red Cross the only place I can take it?

My research skills sucks. :cry:

Thanks!

ninejams · Dec 30, 2009

Search "bls for health care providers houston tx" in Google and you'll come up with results. Or also search the AHA (American Heart Association) website for CPR. If you do an actual job search for RN, you will find all the requirements they need.

"temporary authorization to practice nursing. I read from somewhere (I'm pretty sure it's from the website of TX BON) that temporary permits are only issued to graduates who completed an accredited basic nursing education program within the United States."

It might be the case for TX BON so just call them to confirm. I got a temporary license even if I didn't grad in the US. There are other jobs in the hospital or medical facility that you can try to apply at without needing a license. Just ask the HR, or do job searches. Even if it's just volunteer work, it will mean something on your resume when you pass your exam and are officially a RN. Search "volunteer work hospital houston tx" on google.. or just do "volunteer work houston tx".

If you're active in church or some community in your area, NETWORK!!! Other nurses can give you valuable tips, lend you their reviewers and refer you to their jobs when the time comes. Also, if you have any questions, they will have more info than I do. lol! It just helps that you have nurse "references" in your resume.