MSN IN Philippines

suzanne4, RN · Sep 22, 2008

Ergo, having a master's degree here in the philippines would not entitle you for EB2 Visa?

No, as it will not get you a job here that requires the MSN as entry level, and that is a requirement for the EB-2 visa. The jobs here that have the MSN as entry level usually are looking for someone that has a CNS or NP certification and you cannot get either of these additional licenses when you do not train in the US and take the courses that are only offered here as well.

The training that is given in the Philippines is for what we call a generic MSN. Most that come over from the Philippines will come here as bedside nurses; without experience in the US system, it will be hard to get hired for any other position especially since the work for an RN in your country is so very different from what we do here in the US.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Sep 22, 2008

If your plan is to practice nursing in the Phillipines a MAN or MSN may help you, check with your local hospitals. If you plan on coming to the USA get some bedside experience and save the money.

Husky_Lover_RN · Sep 26, 2008

I see some advertisement here about the online MSN..Is it available to foreign nurses. Let say the institution is US curriculum based. (curiosity strikes..) Thanks!! "Mabuhay" Allnurses.com

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Sep 26, 2008

I see some advertisement here about the online MSN..Is it available to foreign nurses. Let say the institution is US curriculum based. (curiosity strikes..) Thanks!! "Mabuhay" Allnurses.com

Accredited programs that involve campus-based or classroom instruction (non-online programs) require foreign students to have a student visa to be able to register. And we all know the hoops you have to go through to get that visa approved. Many online programs are also accredited but you'll have to ask the institutions involved how you will be admitted as a foreign student in an online program. Be aware that any master's degree program regardless of what the focus is (education, management, or advanced practice) requires preceptored practicum in the field. That would be impossible to do if the student is in another country. But who knows, maybe some schools do allow this.

Realize too that the same scenario as has already been discussed continue to apply in this situation. Again, I am not automatically assuming anything but the mere fact that you said US-based curriculum is leading me to believe that your question pertains to how the degree will be accepted in the US setting. The answer will still be the same, do you have the corresponding experience to support the fact that you have the master's degree? For instance, if your master's degree is in nursing management, would you have actual experience in an administrative role at the time you are applying for the visa? If the answer is no, then it would be hard for any employer to say that you are qualified for that role. And it also leads to the answer Suzanne has already said time and again - the hiring of foreign nurses, if it does ever open back up ('cause remember we're still in retrogression), is really limited to bedside or entry-level nurses who are not even required to have a master's degree.

Please understand that I am not knocking any aspiring Filipino nurse. I am just speaking from experience and have been around long enough to know how things work in the US. This attitude of trying to outdo everyone just so you can get ahead is a waste of time and money on your part. Focus on getting good bedside experience in the Philippines or elsewhere. In the end, it is your clinical skills that will get you somewhere.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 27, 2008

Even the on-line programs have an on-site component where you have to be in attendance physically there for at least a week or two per year.

Next issue is how are you going to complete the clinical part of the program where nursing is not done the same in your country as it is in the US?

cstellar18 · Sep 27, 2009

Thank you very much..now I don't know who to believe..
My friend got that news from a speaker of the US EMbassy on a conference..

good day!,

its been a year since your ask question bout getting a masters degree, you see, im thinking of doing it too, good thing that ive read these blogs. so how are you now? did you continue getting masters? thanks!!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2009

Most of the online schools that I've seen require you to either precept in their area, or they give you a list of places where they have contracts where you can do preceptorships. Also keep in mind that sometimes you're required to attend classes once a month or once a quarter and that means you have to go on campus for that. The schools that I've researched also want you to have your license and have a certain amount of years experience as a RN.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Sep 29, 2009

good day!,
its been a year since your ask question bout getting a masters degree, you see, im thinking of doing it too, good thing that ive read these blogs. so how are you now? did you continue getting masters? thanks!!

Instead of asking around in this forum as to who started their master's program and how it's going for them, maybe it is better to start by asking yourself why you want to pursue a master's degree. Everyone's different and what may seem fairly easy coursework for one person may not be as easy to another. Similarly, one person's goals in pursuing graduate studies is entirely different than another individual's. If you are in the Philippines, what benefit do you see in obtaining a master's degree? Would you like to teach? are you working in a specific area of nursing and would like to advance your knowlegde in that area of nursing? are you interested in administrative roles and would like to be in a management position? bottmoline is, before you invest time and money on this endeavor, ask yourself what direction you want for your career and start from there.

macpao87 · Apr 22, 2010

Hi guys,

Just wanted to ask opinions regarding the MSN program being offered in UERM in Manila.

I went there today but there was no one in the office who could help me.

How is their curriculum and standards in terms of graduate nursing education?

I'm planning to enroll for the first trimester of June 2010, I just want to make sure I am not enrolling in a diploma mill graduate school.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks!

rocket bomber · Apr 22, 2010

Anywhere you go, any place in earth, if you have a master's degree, then you are far better than a BS degree holder with the good working experience, then you can go and work anywhere... that's the advantage guys!

hannahmaepunk · Feb 27, 2011

Good day people! I am a registered nurse here in the philippines and i've got a

lot of things in my mind. I really want to pursue a master's degree and i know that this is a good investment. However in the philippines, well, i'm not quite sure. Most nursing graduates in my school have one thing on their minds: EXPERIENCE+VISA=ABROAD. And a good deal of my instructors literally 'rush' their MAN degree here just so they could be hired as clinical instructors. Very practical indeed,since the pay for nursing instructors here are WAY better than staff nurses. But i really don't know what to do. Master's degree here in the philippines or abroad? I have an uncle in the US who has been a nurse for 20 years there. He doesn't have any master's degree but he is now an assistant director at a hospital. Hmmm. In my opinion, experience weighs more than an MSN degree. MAN and MSN degrees here have an entirely different array of specialties. You won't see anyone here employed as a 'nurse anesthetist' so with that said, i think it depends upon the circumstance, with which path you are going to take, wether a professor, or clinical nurse specialist, or whatever. Me? I really really want to be a professor. So i'm planning to gain the necessary experience and also pursue my master's, or even a doctorate degree perhaps? But if you ask me, graduate studies abroad are way better.

ceridwyn · Feb 27, 2011

In Australia for your Masters to be accepted would have to come from a class 1 university...though a hospital looking to sponsor an overseas nurse with a Masters from such and such university from the Phillipines with no experience is probably less employable than a nurse with a bachelor degree and no experience, as the one with the masters will try the extra money and may not think basic work for them is acceptable (if it is recognisable) for the degree and have no value with experience, what is the point, they will still be required to do bridging course in Australia at least....Nurses here are not accepted into post grad unless they have at least 1 clinical years experience in Australia. So a local with a local masters degree will have this experience think it would be the same in all western countries.....You cannot go into advance degrees unless you have nursing experience out there at the coal face. How can you teach nursing without experience? Most of my lectures were always referring to incidences and experiences on the ward or community, without this how can it be done as without this how can you claim quality teaching if the teachers have no experience!!!

Experience is everything, post grad comes later. No wonder Australian board is now questioning university and therefore teaching standards. They are not going to recognise post grad if the post grad is not facilitated by educated experienced nurse educators.