I thought there's a shortage of nurses in the Philippines??

World Philippines

Published

so why is it sooo hard to get a job as a nurse in the Philippines? particularly in manila. why aren't hospitals hiring?

Specializes in Med-Surg, ED, Home.

you can take your NCLEX exam and english proficiency tests now while working there to have the experience...i tell you MHENG, coming to america is not that easy, you'll have to wait for the Notice of Actions from the USCIS/Homeland Security and results for months, not weeks...the NCLEX results comes in a 2-3 weeks, but scheduling for one is not...so while you are doing these requirements, do something...work and learn because when you get here, you'll continue to learn and the experiences you got in the hospital will help you a lot...you'll be shocked, and so with your employers, if you get here unprepared...what you learned as a student is not enough...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I stand corrected, there is no shortage of nurses and doctors anywhere in the Philippines...

but there is a shortage of health care people who are willing to volunteer...and it is understandable. Nobody has the money, the time and the effort. Everyone is seeking for the green.

Nursing curriculum has always been community-based, but when you say 'nurse', there's only that image of someone in white working at a big hospital of a big corporation at a big city (but not necessarily with big pay). The public health nurse species is going extinct, because the government CAN afford healthcare but would rather spend the money on the military or just pocket the money, and nurses (and even doctors) don't have the luxury to do volunteer-work.

What's this thing about patients allowed to have promissory notes? OMG, they'll never pay back their medical bills if they get out of the hospital, that's for sure. I mean, there was this one time when a patient assigned to me had an outstanding bill and was on his last IVF bottle, and the nurse told me to slow down the infusion so that the patient will not run away, because he has to pay the bills. She said it happened lots of times before, once they removed the IVF, the patients just slip out and vanish. Not only can the hospital be liable if something happens to the patient but also the hospital looses money for the unpaid bill (and they already have low funding 'cuz it's just a governement hospital). I tell her it's false imprisonment, but she was like, 'we can't do anything about it'. I think it's better if hospitals find other solutions in reducing the bill...like this one hospital, they take discounts off the patient's bill if the watchers do housekeeping around the hospital, stuff like that...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I stand corrected, there is no shortage of nurses and doctors anywhere in the Philippines...

but there is a shortage of health care people who are willing to volunteer...and it is understandable. Nobody has the money, the time and the effort. Everyone is seeking for the green.

Nursing curriculum has always been community-based, but when you say 'nurse', there's only that image of someone in white working at a big hospital of a big corporation at a big city (but not necessarily with big pay). The public health nurse species is going extinct, because the government CAN afford healthcare but would rather spend the money on the military or just pocket the money, and nurses (and even doctors) don't have the luxury to do volunteer-work.

What's this thing about patients allowed to have promissory notes? OMG, they'll never pay back their medical bills if they get out of the hospital, that's for sure. I mean, there was this one time when a patient assigned to me had an outstanding bill and was on his last IVF bottle, and the nurse told me to slow down the infusion so that the patient will not run away, because he has to pay the bills. She said it happened lots of times before, once they removed the IVF, the patients just slip out and vanish. Not only can the hospital be liable if something happens to the patient but also the hospital looses money for the unpaid bill (and they already have low funding 'cuz it's just a governement hospital). I tell her it's false imprisonment, but she was like, 'we can't do anything about it'. I think it's better if hospitals find other solutions in reducing the bill...like this one hospital, they take discounts off the patient's bill if the watchers do housekeeping around the hospital, stuff like that...

Current studies shows that 90% of those who gave promissory notes never come back, so this will really kill the private health industry if this takes effect. And when the industry finally gets bankrupted, guess who they'll blame it on? They'll blame it again on HC professionals that left even though they left because of very poor conditions.

The Gov't also do not want foreign investments in our HC and Education. Protectionism, all for the wrong reasons. I already see our neighboring ASEAN region (Singapore) letting in Universities from the US. Sooner than later SG will be the education hub in Asia an PH is stuck with sub-standard schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

suzanne, im just wondering, why is it that the U.S.A. has a shortage in nursing staff and would not want to hire more nurses in the Philippines? why would they set a limit of 10,000 visas/year when the u.s.a needs more nurses from our country? i thought that the present shortage of nurses in the usa would give us (nurses) high priority in securing a visa?

Another thing, who is given priority for a visa? is it a first come first serve basis or are nurses given priority because of the said shortage?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
suzanne, im just wondering, why is it that the U.S.A. has a shortage in nursing staff and would not want to hire more nurses in the Philippines? why would they set a limit of 10,000 visas/year when the u.s.a needs more nurses from our country? i thought that the present shortage of nurses in the usa would give us (nurses) high priority in securing a visa?

Another thing, who is given priority for a visa? is it a first come first serve basis or are nurses given priority because of the said shortage?

There is a limit on the number of visas from anyone country, always has been and always will be in effect. The US does not have a shortage that you keep hearing about to the extent that it is being marketed in other countries. And there are nurses from many other countries as well that wish to work in the US. And the limit is for the number of employer-driven petitions, not just for registered nurses, but all under that category. A few years ago, if you passed the NCLEX exam, you were pretty much guaranteed that you would be able to work in the US, but that is not the case any longer, actually far from it. Look at the number that are currently in school right now, or have graduated recently; this number far exceeds the number of visas that are available per year by an exponential number to begin with. And then add into it that many are not able to get any experience in your country, and are now up for jobs against someone from lets say Europe, that has ten years of experience in a facility that does things more similar to the way that nursing is practiced in the US, they are going to get hired for the hospital job first. Only makes sense.

The Philippines is now operating similar to what we call puppy mills here in the US and just spitting out nurses, and with all of the talk in the Philipppine papers here in the US of the issues with the schools there that have just opened up and changed from IT schools to nursing or from a review program to an actual nursing program, and employers here are running scared at this time.

The nursing shortage in the US is never going to have the need for the amount of nurses being trained in your country, just is not going to happen, and do not expect the government to make changes to take more. With the issues of those overstaying their visas from PI, as well as working illegally here in nursing homes, more scrutiny is actually in place now and harder to even get a tourist visa from your country for the US.

I know that this is not what you wanted to hear, but is what is happening. And with the retrogression to last for the next few years more than likely, many of you need to consider other countries to get experience. There just are not any visas available.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

suzanne, I understand that we're undergoing retrogression since last Oct. I'm just wondering, what if my relatives in US found an employer to sponsor me, would I still be affected with the retrogression? Would I still not get a visa?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
suzanne, I understand that we're undergoing retrogression since last Oct. I'm just wondering, what if my relatives in US found an employer to sponsor me, would I still be affected with the retrogression? Would I still not get a visa?

:offtopic:

does not matter you will still be affected by retrogression and have to wait for visas to be current or within your PD and to be honest there are plenty in front of you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The US does not have a shortage that you keep hearing about to the extent that it is being marketed in other countries.

Are you telling me that the USA is not having a nursing shortage? where did you get this information?

The Philippines is now operating similar to what we call puppy mills here in the US and just spitting out nurses,

In my opinion, American employers should see this as a blessing, why? because they have more options. They can choose which applicant that suits their need. It doesn't matter if the Philippines can "SPIT" out thousands and thousands of nursing graduates, there is no problem with that (except to the nursing graduates who were "forced" to take up nursing, and to some who wasted time and money for a profession that they never felt a vocation)

and with all of the talk in the Philipppine papers here in the US of the issues with the schools there that have just opened up and changed from IT schools to nursing or from a review program to an actual nursing program, and employers here are running scared at this time.

Thats the reason we have checkpoints right? The "spit" out nursing graduates are filtered by never ending batteries of test just to make sure only the competent are to survive. first checkpoint:

1. the local nursing board, this test filters which examinee is competent enough to render safe nursing care in the Philippines. Yeah, yeah it was tainted but never the less, the government took the appropriate action and charged those who were involved with criminal cases.

2. Some U.S. states needs a local license for a foreign graduate to work in the U.S.

(California is one of them)

3. After scrutiny by the U.S. state board of nursing, they would decide if an applicant is allowed to sit for their exam (NCLEX)

4. NCLEX, wow! this is the most unique test I've ever heard off (CAT) this is a standardized test made by professionals, it is made for the sole purpose of testing whether your capable to render SAFE nursing care at an entry level.

5. Some states need you to pass English tests such as TOEFL etc...

6. If you we're able to survive the batteries of test (which i hope you did), and if you're able to find an employer, they would not hire you immediately, you need to pass an exam, its like an entrance exam.

After all the batteries of test, Im quite sure that only the competent nurse is able to make it this far, im sure that they are competent enough, just passing the nclex alone is a proof that your a competent nurse.

The nursing shortage in the US is never going to have the need for the amount of nurses being trained in your country, just is not going to happen,

why? is it because they're not competent enough? or is it because of the lack of visa numbers. A few months ago, i read an article about BILL GATES lobbying for more visa numbers to deserving immigrants. He did not like the idea of limiting the number of immigrants, whats the point? why not allow entry to deserving people who is there to help you, americans. Its a fact that the u.s. is in dire need of nurses, a simple google search would yield evidence on this.

There is a need to hire more nurses now, if americans cant "SPIT" out competent nurses who will fill the gap? Who will take care of the patient? Its sad to hear that a law limits entry to competent foreign nurses because it just says so-LIMIT.

With the issues of those overstaying their visas from PI, as well as working illegally here in nursing homes, more scrutiny is actually in place now and harder to even get a tourist visa from your country for the US.

I agree, nurses who wants to work in the U.S.A. should not do this. They should not apply as a tourist if they plan to work there.

I know that this is not what you wanted to hear, but is what is happening.

Thank you for being straight-forward.

And with the retrogression to last for the next few years more than likely, many of you need to consider other countries to get experience. There just are not any visas available.

Im planning to work elsewhere after i passed all the required documents and passing the nclex.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Puppy mill connotation is actually not a good thing, it means that the quality is poor. And this is what we are seeing, and I have witnessed myself. Licenses are being purchased there, as well as documentation of attending nursing school. Your country is mass producing nurses and many do not have the basic skills that they need to have to start, or are expected to have.

Many are attending school for the sole purpose of going to the US and this is no longer going to be a given. There are only 140,000 visas available per entire year for those wishing an employer driven green card, and that is for the entire world. And for all professions, not just RNs. And there are four times that amount even currently in school in Manila right now. Passing the NCLEX exam does not guarantee a green card. Just is not going to happen. And there are many more countries that have nurses that wish to work in the US, so no priority is going to be given to those from the Philippines.

The US federal government decides on how many visas, no one else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Anybody can pass the NCLEX or the NLE as long you understand what you are studying but nobody can prepare a nurse on his/her first job if the nurse does not have a very good clinical background when he/she was a student nurse before.

It takes a well rounded school to graduate a "good" nurse. But what is happening now in the Philippines is that a lot of schools are opening up and less hospitals where they can put their students for their clinicals. And so goes those fast track programs that offered only three semester of clinicals.

Heck, way back in the 1990's, we had a three years clinicals or 6 semesters. And still we felt we were not yet fully ready to face the world after graduation. What about those 3 semesters only?

I don't agree that we should be producing a lot of nurses but instead we should be producing quality nurses in low numbers. What we have now is that schools are producing "quantity nurses" and less of "quality nurses."

During my time, there were only two schools of nursing in my city, now there are six schools. And the fact is there are only 6 hospitals in our city.

The truth is hard to swallow but the fact we are producing too many nurses does not do good to us. Our government just approved every license to operate a nursing school for the heck of money with out thinking that these schools are producing nurses just for the sake of producing nurses.

The Philippines is known for its highly skilled nurses and we should keep that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

suzanne is right...sad...bu true...*sigh*

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am going to come out and be quite blunt about this topic:

There is no shortage of nurses in the Philippines, and has not been since I can remember, which is before many of you were even born. That being said, your country now believes in quantity and no longer quality as it once did. Mass producing nurses that do not have the skills to start off their career with does not help anyone. And when there are currently more than 632,000 active nursing students enrolled in over 400 programs. There is no way that your country can use even a 100th of those, so they are going to try to export them to other countries to find work. It is not the responsibility of other countries that they need to accept nurses from your country and change their laws to accomodate nurses from your country. The US has never accepted more than 10,000 per year from your country for the employer-driven green card, and they are not going to change that. There is no reason for that.

And sorry to say, I have seen about eight nurses in the past few months that trained in your country and were employed by the facility where I am currently working that no longer are in the roles that they were hired for because of lack of skills. Plain and simple, it came down to that. The training that is being done in your country now is not up to par with what it should be. And this is in a facility that is probably more than 40% Filipino staff to begin with. The lack of skills are not being tolerated, salaries are too high just to waste when the nurse is unable to perform basic skills and has problems absorbing any advanced skills. And we are seeing more and more of this all over.

You need to look first at your country to fix things before you can expect other countries to want to hire from there. That is just how things are right now. And with the retrogression in place, and expected to go on for sometime because of the number of applicants from your country, you would be much better off considering going to another country first for experience as it will be over two years before you even have a chance of getting to the US, it is no longer a given that you pass the NCLEX and then can get a green card right away, that no longer exists. And is not going to exist any longer, so you need to look at a way to make yourself more marketable to a facility, as well as prove yourself to the US Embassy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment