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Discussion

NCLEX now or not?

Hi. I am a dec 2007 board passer and currently a hospital volunteer. So we are all aware of the retrogression in place, but we all know deep in our hearts that we want to start on the path towards our dream of working in the US as soon as possible! It seems to me that most of my fellow newly grads are very much aggressive in taking the exams, I even meet many people who will be taking it through CA, but it is said very clear in this site that it is not ideal for initial licensure, so I recommend that they start reading here. I'm not sure if they are even aware of the current situations, even the members of this forum are so aggressive in taking the NCLEX. I met one person who finished everything up to the last step and he's got a VSC already, but his recruiter advised him to get experience first and he's leaving for egypt, and so i believe all his papers and hard-earned successes in the nclex and ielts are put on hold. I was as aggressive like them before, but the forums here opened my eyes, but at the same time, confused me so much that I'm afraid of making decisions. Deep in my heart I also want to start the whole US licensure process because in the first place, I'm a fresh grad and can study better. And if i pass the nclex now and finish everything, at least i'm done with it, it will not expire anyway, and I envy those who are done with it.(Is that correct thinking?) While waiting for the retrogression to lift, I am adding to my work experience. My question is, is it a wise decision to start the US licensure (NCLEX) process now?Or should I just take it after two years once I have the required work experience already?

Friends, I'm looking forward to your comments and advice. thanks.

Featured Replies

you can take it now as soon as you have the authority to test. you can work while studying for nclex. aggressiveness is a good attitude. its better to say later "i'm glad i did the nclex few years ago than saying i should have taken then when i have all the time".

i'm very much aware of the retrogression but still i pursued on taking the nclex, btw, i will sit for the exam on aug.1. im also working as a staff nurse, so lucky i had an item in a private tertiary hospital bec. i'm a june 2007 passer. i made a concrete plan after i had passed the nle and im still sticking to my plans inspite of the retrogression. after taking all the exam and necessary requirements, (ielts, vsc) i can just sit back and relax while waiting for the lengthy process of immigration. during the wait i can now take experiences from other countries.

we don't know what will happen years ahead but we should be ready for anything. its just a matter of anticipating the good things to come. be an optimist and everything will turn out as the way you want it.:up::loveya:

  • Expert

Licensure process is not the NCLEX process. The exam is only a small step in the licensing process and the final step, but not the only one.

There are just under 10,000 visas per year for those that were born in the Philippines for the US, and this number includes spouses and children; so the number of nurses being able to get thru per year is small. And with the number of graduates that are being turned out, it is going to be even a smaller chance.

The fact that you have taken and passed the NLE is much in your favor as well that you are getting experience. But you are still looking at quite a few years before being given a chance for a green card, and it is still a chance. If you have the money now to be able to pay for all that is needed, then do it. If it means putting a strain on your or your family, then do not.

It is really up to each individual to make their own decision but as long as you have all of the information, then you will do what is right for you.

  • Author

Thank you for your responses. And miss suzanne4, I know perfectly well that NCLEX is just a bit of the process, its just that more people understand it that way, so I did that to at least make it a little catchy for readers. You're right I'm also worried because it's really gonna be a burden for my family.

Well, that's my problem, I have plans, but I'm afraid to fail myself especially my family. I will be starting the process after my sisters leave for California this year. I will work and review at the same time. Thank you very much. I will do as you say, just HOPE FOR THE BEST!

I have a question miss suzanne4, since I have close relatives who are also nurses in CA, they might be able to find me an employer there, direct hire, right?... So will it be okay if I take CA for initial registration?

Thank you for your responses. And miss suzanne4, I know perfectly well that NCLEX is just a bit of the process, its just that more people understand it that way, so I did that to at least make it a little catchy for readers. You're right I'm also worried because it's really gonna be a burden for my family.

Well, that's my problem, I have plans, but I'm afraid to fail myself especially my family. I will be starting the process after my sisters leave for California this year. I will work and review at the same time. Thank you very much. I will do as you say, just HOPE FOR THE BEST!

I have a question miss suzanne4, since I have close relatives who are also nurses in CA, they might be able to find me an employer there, direct hire, right?... So will it be okay if I take CA for initial registration?

It is up to you where you take it, the reason we do not recommend it for initial licensure is because of the 3 year if you do not provide a SSN your file is deleted and highly doubt in the present climate that you will be there in that time. There is no reason why you do not go to another state first and then endorse to Ca once you have your work visa (that is if you are lucky to find a employer in Ca to start with) We also ask that you use application for RN not application for NCLEX as that is not the way you will find it on BON websites. You will always see it written as Application for RN

If you have the funds for the exam, the time and effort to study while working or not working, then it's better to take the exam. The last decision would be yours.

Just take the Nclex exam ASAP and when you pass lodge your visa application. Even if it will be a long time to wait for the availability of the visa, you already have a pending visa application. You are already have a priority that is waiting. Until that day comes, just have some nursing experience in other countries.

  • Expert
Just take the Nclex exam ASAP and when you pass lodge your visa application. Even if it will be a long time to wait for the availability of the visa, you already have a pending visa application. You are already have a priority that is waiting. Until that day comes, just have some nursing experience in other countries.

Sorry, but just submitting a petition no longer guarantees that one will eventually get the visa to work in the US. And companies are banking on someone signing with them and then cancelling so that they can collect a large cancellation fee.

Cost for going thru the immigration process is over $5000 US and it will be paid for by the nurse if they back out of the contract plus various other fees, and most contracts that we are seeing have cancellation fees from $20,000 to $45,000 US.

So this is not something to be entered into lightly.

Hi. I am a dec 2007 board passer and currently a hospital volunteer. So we are all aware of the retrogression in place, but we all know deep in our hearts that we want to start on the path towards our dream of working in the US as soon as possible! It seems to me that most of my fellow newly grads are very much aggressive in taking the exams, I even meet many people who will be taking it through CA, but it is said very clear in this site that it is not ideal for initial licensure, so I recommend that they start reading here. I'm not sure if they are even aware of the current situations, even the members of this forum are so aggressive in taking the NCLEX. I met one person who finished everything up to the last step and he's got a VSC already, but his recruiter advised him to get experience first and he's leaving for egypt, and so i believe all his papers and hard-earned successes in the nclex and ielts are put on hold. I was as aggressive like them before, but the forums here opened my eyes, but at the same time, confused me so much that I'm afraid of making decisions. Deep in my heart I also want to start the whole US licensure process because in the first place, I'm a fresh grad and can study better. And if i pass the nclex now and finish everything, at least i'm done with it, it will not expire anyway, and I envy those who are done with it.(Is that correct thinking?) While waiting for the retrogression to lift, I am adding to my work experience. My question is, is it a wise decision to start the US licensure (NCLEX) process now?Or should I just take it after two years once I have the required work experience already?

Friends, I'm looking forward to your comments and advice. thanks.

Take the exam ASAP while your nursing knowledge is still fresh

definitely... i suggest you take the exam now that you have time... it's hard to study and at the same time work... or worst you'll have to quit your job for reviews...

hey.. retrogression sucks bigtime. I just passed the NCLEX, CA was my state.. They asked me bout my SS# before they give me my license and i should submit it within 3 years or my file would be destroyed. And i dont think i can be in the states within 3 years becasue of the retrgression and some other stuffs.. i think you should postpone NCLEX. get your 2 years experience, take NCLEX, then IELTS, then visa screen

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