How to become a nurse in Singapore?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 9, 2008

cijhane said:
Hi! I actually worked in Singapore year ago and I do have lots of friends who are RN. My case is that I have not reached 3 years, the minimum requirements for RN, that is why I was hired as Assistant Nurse( enrolled nurse). Prior to that you have to pass the Singapore Nursing Board Exam that is given together with the interview of the Employer. If you really want to work in Singapore you may approach any agency here in PI.
Good luck!

Again, you were not in the role of the RN. That is the point that I am making.

panzer, RN · Apr 11, 2008

I used to work in Singapore general hospital and Singapore national heart center as staff nurse and as a matter of fact some of my batch mates still there working as a staff nurse.

There is an agency in Manila accepting applicants for Singapore/Malaysia hosp. Send me pm if you guys out there are really interested, you may want to give theme a call.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 11, 2008

Again, all of you are posting that you used to work there, that means that you went thru the process not very recently for licensure and that is the exact point and issue here. Things are no longer as easy for any country, unless you are going to work there as a maid.

gemini_star, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2008

suzanne4 said:
Again, all of you are posting that you used to work there, that means that you went thru the process not very recently for licensure and that is the exact point and issue here. Things are no longer as easy for any country, unless you are going to work there as a maid.

Very well said. There is nothing wrong with working as a maid. But with a college degree, hundred thousands of pesos spent, four years of studying, and numerous nursing skills mastered... would you still prefer to be a maid? I doubt it. Still, for some it would be the easy way out for those desperate.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 12, 2008

And to add into this once again, yes, there may be nurses still working there now that went through the process several years ago, but things change. Same way that there are nurses here on this forum that are from the Philippines and are licensed and working in the UK now.

But if one were to start the process today, they would not be able to get licensed there in the role of the RN, and get a visa that will permit them to work there due to the hiring freeze, etc.

That is the point that I am trying to make, and still have never seen any in the past few years get thru the licensing process there and working in the actual role of the RN there.

mayflower2000, RN · Apr 12, 2008

I was working also in Singapore as RN for two years. After finishing my contract, I came here in UK to work. I was under an agency approved by POEA. During my time, Singapore only required two years hospital experience and need to pass their nursing board exam. Why don't you go to POEA office and ask lists of agencies which are hiring nurses for Singapore. Hope this would help.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 12, 2008

Again, you are speaking of what was going on several years ago and that is not the same anywhere any longer. Even you could not get a job in the UK today, so that means that you have been there for sometime as well.

Things do change and this is the point that we are trying to make to everyone. I would check directly with the licensing board there first, before having anything to do with any agency as they are not the ones that provide licensure nor immigration approval and this is what you need to understand.

And it is also very hard to get two years of experience in the Philippines as an RN in a hospital setting, that is why many want to leave now, because of there not being any work.

bluefabian · Apr 13, 2008

I was just speaking with a few friends who are working in Singapore at the moment - Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National University Hospital.

It seems to me that due to the shortage of nurses there at the moment, Philippine graduate nurses with a few good few years of experience can practice there as a staff nurse. It used to be that they have to go through certain levels of work title, but not anymore.

Now, correct me if I am wrong. We really need input from Singapore nurses on this.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 13, 2008

Again, you hit on a very key point that most are unable to obtain in your country, two years or so of actual work experience; and not volunteer service where you pay for the opportunity to be there.

If there is not the work experience, then the person does not go there as an RN and work in that role. As I have stated over and over again, licensing there now is not the same as it used to be. This is the point that I have been trying to make.

And from the people that are working there in the role of the actual RN and are posting here, trained there as an RN. Have not seen one post here that is from your country and working there now in the role of the RN and has started that in the past year.

Countries can change their rules at any time, look at the UK and other EU countries as well now.

TravelingBSNRN, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2008

May I ask suzanne4 for the source of her info that Singapore does not hire Staff Nurses anymore from the Philippines? Or is this her personal observation when she recently visited the country?

I worked in Singapore for 3 years and they have been hiring staff nurses as well as assistant nurses and healthcare assistants from the Philippines since 1990s. I agree with you that immigration or visa regulations change but until now agencies in the Philippines (Emerald, EA etc) are still deploying staff nurses on a regular basis.

cijhane, LPN · Apr 14, 2008

Singapore requirements as of days for RN is not change and I've learned it from a friend who just had the interview and exam 1 week ago... it was confirmed too with the agency staff( they are from agency that supply nurses). My friend was interviewed and took the exam as well last week and never complaint of any changes...

Good luck to those planning to work in Singapore!! :nurse:

suzanne4, RN · Apr 14, 2008

TravellingBSN-RN said:
May I ask suzanne4 for the source of her info that Singapore does not hire Staff Nurses anymore from the Philippines? Or is this her personal observation when she recently visited the country?
I worked in Singapore for 3 years and they have been hiring staff nurses as well as assistant nurses and healthcare assistants from the Philippines since 1990s. I agree with you that immigration or visa regulations change but until now agencies in the Philippines (Emerald, EA etc) are still deploying staff nurses on a regular basis.

Assistant nurses and healthcare assts are not the same role as the RN.

And they do not get credit for working and experience as an RN.

And yes, I was in Singapore not too long ago and actually used to go there every three months.

There are many requirements as well as the two years of actual work experience that most in the Philippines do not have that wish to work there, so then they get taken advantage of. That is what I am trying to prevent. Sorry, but I am on the side of the nurses, and do not want to see any not go to another country in the role that they were trained for in the first place. All of you have the BSN, and should only accept a job where you are in the role of the RN and accept nothing less than that.

Cost of living is also very high on the island, so if less, then you are barely able to support yourself.