Im an LVN OF 42 YRS. I WANT TO MOVE TO THE PHILIPPINES AND WORK. DO I NEED TO BE AN RN TO WORK THERE?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

The Philippines does not license LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses). The standard pathway to becoming a nurse in the Philippines is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. After completing the BSN, individuals must pass the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE) to become Registered Nurses (RNs).

The LPN role does not exist in the same formalized way as it does in the U.S. or other countries. In the Philippines, nurses are primarily trained as RNs, and the term "LPN" is not commonly used in the local healthcare system.

However, if you are an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) or LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) from the U.S. and want to work in the Philippines, you would likely need to explore other roles such as:

• Nursing Assistant
• Healthcare Assistant
• Caregiver

If you are interested in practicing as a nurse at the RN level, you would need to undergo the process of becoming a licensed RN in the Philippines, which involves:

• Credential Evaluation: Have your education and credentials assessed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
• Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam: After your credentials are evaluated and approved, you must take and pass the Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE).

In summary, while you don't necessarily need to be an RN to work in some healthcare settings in the Philippines, many nursing roles require an RN qualification. If you want to practice as a nurse at the same level as in the U.S., you will likely need to obtain RN licensure in the Philippines.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth