MD-RN needs help on agency

dearest REp, and also to all dear filipino nurses in the U.S.

Iv been a member of All Nurses since 2005, but I dont send post or give comment about any thread or issues, I just read and browse all the conversation , I do have some questions and most of it were answered by just reading the posts... but something came up lately and I cant find the right answer no matter how long i read the post...maybe some of you could help me and give some advise as well.

To begin with, I am one of those DOCTOR- NURSE here in the philippines, Im currently working in a government hospital as a doctor (GP), I took my nursing career last 2003, took and passed my CGFNS last 2004 and also the IELTS, I have an agency who helped me with the papers and all. My husband is also a doctor and practicing as a safety practitioner.we have a daughter who's only 10 month old.as for our papers, were in pocket 3, my husband already paid the visa fee for the 3 of us, my daughter was not included in the petition, and according to our attorney ( by agency ) we need to submit the photocopy of her birth cert and passport together with the bankdraft of her visa fee so that she can be petition too. were so worried that she may not be able to come with us. well that is my number 1 concern.....

another thing, last week, my husband happened to meet an american citizen from new york, and the man totally discouraged my husband regarding our plans of living/ working at U.S. according ti him with the salary that is beeing offered by our agency, we cannot survive in chicago ( the agency is offering $17/ hr but after I passed the NCLEX which I will take as soon as I got there in chicago, the salary will be about 22-23 $ / hr. ) the man even gave my husband a written breakdown of our expenses and earnings and it staTED THAT WE WILL HAVE A negative financial status in chicago,....plus the weather, and the fact that I will be the one working since my husband will be the one to ltake care of our daughter.

before,my husband and I definitely knew that our life there would be different and we're ready to face and embrace it , we have a dream that someday, when we have much money, we can go back and build our dream house and buy our dream car ( were bought in age 35 )but now after what the man said, my husband is having a 2nd thought of leaving.....he even think that we better backout and forget our application as well as the time and money that we spent.According to my husband, if we will have a very hard time in chicago, then its not worth it....I feel so sad. At present, we're earning about 65-70thousand pesos/ month ( its my salary plus his salary, dollar rate at present is 48$) we're renting an apartment at present.plus our expenses.the salary that we're earning is enaugh for a living with some leisure but quite impossible to build a house or buy a nice car thats why we made a decision before to give up our career and go to chicago.

our papers is not affected by retrogression and according to our agency, if no problems, we can go to chicago this coming march to june.But right now, I dont know if we can still push with it.

I just want to ask you REP and to my fellow filipino to give me an advise regarding your life in the U.S. Is it worth it? I mean giving up everything here and go there? can we really save for a better future or we'll just have a very hard time....the american man said that a lot of filipino are hypocrite to admit that they want to go back and just pretend that living in the U.S is the best.

I m having second thought of asking my friends the same questions...I chose to send this post to you guys coz i think that you can give me the truest answers. please reply

god bless,

bonbon2005

The minimum wage in the US is currently $5.25 per hour (it might increase to about $7 per hour once congress pass the bill). You might be able to survive on $17 per hour but not with the lifestyle that you currently have as a doctor in the Philippines if your husband will not work in the US. It will depend on how much you can scrimp with your budget. Unless you take in too much personal loans like credit cards, you will get through if you know how to budget.

But i also agree with Suzanne that you have a better position if you took the NCLEX. But since you signed the contract, you have to do the best in your situation. Your husband should also plan to take exams so he could work in the future.

Bonbon,

Just read your post and I am sorry to hear that your agency took advantage of your situation. Well, you signed a contract with them and the only way to do is stick with them or buy your way out of the contract when you arrive here.

Regarding the Question, it is worth it?

Yes, here there are lots of opportunities for nurses. The only way to go is up if you want to. You work and you will see the return of your efforts unlike in the Philippines.

I used to work as a medical representative in the Philippines and moving here to the USA is one of the best decision I made. Sure, things here are different but you will get used to it. And you will like it here.

Another thing, if you can not buy out your contract, you will be an immigrant here, that means you can work part time in another facility. Take the minimum hours where the agency will placed you and work in another facility where you will make extra money for your needs.

I am sorry this has happened to you but sometimes things like this happened if we are not well informed.

Don't fear of the unknown. Tell that to your husband. Good luck!

Rep

I just want to ask you REP and to my fellow filipino to give me an advise regarding your life in the U.S. Is it worth it? I mean giving up everything here and go there? can we really save for a better future or we'll just have a very hard time....the american man said that a lot of filipino are hypocrite to admit that they want to go back and just pretend that living in the U.S is the best.

I m having second thought of asking my friends the same questions...I chose to send this post to you guys coz i think that you can give me the truest answers. please reply

god bless,

bonbon2005

Bonbon,

Just read your post and I am sorry to hear that your agency took advantage of your situation. Well, you signed a contract with them and the only way to do is stick with them or buy your way out of the contract when you arrive here.

Regarding the Question, it is worth it?

Yes, here there are lots of opportunities for nurses. The only way to go is up if you want to. You work and you will see the return of your efforts unlike in the Philippines.

I used to work as a medical representative in the Philippines and moving here to the USA is one of the best decision I made. Sure, things here are different but you will get used to it. And you will like it here.

Another thing, if you can not buy out your contract, you will be an immigrant here, that means you can work part time in another facility. Take the minimum hours where the agency will placed you and work in another facility where you will make extra money for your needs.

I am sorry this has happened to you but sometimes things like this happened if we are not well informed.

Don't fear of the unknown. Tell that to your husband. Good luck!

Rep

thanks for the reply, will keep ypu posted.