nclex vs volunteer?

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hi.. i'm a new rn in the philippines.. and i'm torn between making a major decision in my life.. and that is deciding whether to take the nclex exam a.s.a.p or to volunteer first.. actually i'm having a hard time deciding because i don't have a detailed idea on what to expect with regards to nclex and its processing procedure.. please help..

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hi.. i'm a new rn in the philippines.. and i'm torn between making a major decision in my life.. and that is deciding whether to take the nclex exam a.s.a.p or to volunteer first.. actually i'm having a hard time deciding because i don't have a detailed idea on what to expect with regards to nclex and its processing procedure.. please help..

With retrogression and no idea how long it will last I suggest reading the International forum especially the thread titled Primer to working in the US. You need to decide which board of nursing to go with and suggest you go with the BON of the state you want to work and live in. There is no reason to wait and g0 through the licensure process of which NCLEX is part and then volunteer whilst waiting but I do not think the volunteer work will count towards experience in the US

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Thread moved to the International Forum where it is more appropriate, please read the red banner at the top of the Philippine Forum.

Actual volunteer work can count as experience, but if it is considered a training program, then it does not count. Example, you join the equivalent of the Red Cross for two years, or the Peace Corp, then that counts. But if applying for a training program in your country, that is treated just as something that you would be doing as a student and just counted as such.

Student experiences do not count as RN experiences.

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I'm also a new R.N. who recently passed the June 2007 Board Exams... I think that you must finish all your exams first (the IELTS, NCLEX etc) because the lessons that we learned on our review for the Board Exams are still fresh in our minds. Aside from that, Experience can wait. That's what I think....

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I also suggest that you take all the necessary exams first. Why? Just what the other poster above said, the fundamentals (by the book) knowledge is still fresh in your head. The worst thing that could happen is you gain the "wrong" experience and you began to think that is right. And then, when you start answering the NCLEX exams, you will be confused with what is right and what is wrong.

In short, don't get polluted with experience. Pass all the exams while everything you know is by the book.

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with the present situation the retrogression i dont think o even if you pass ou nclex youll be in the US in another 2 years time. some are still in line. for volunteer usually in the hospitals they usually give you 6 mons, since retrogresion wont end up soon and even if its lifted there are still in the line thousand waiting who are waiting for visa alllocation. so think wisely.

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I have passed CGFNS & IELTS this year, should I now apply for Visa Screen even if I have no employer and work experience yet? Please advise. Thank you!

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You can apply for it if you wish since you have met the requirements. But please be aware that you are looking at two years at the minimum to even have chance for the coveted green card, there are many more applicants than there are visas available.

I do recommend that you focus on taking and passing the NCLEX exam before you even start to contact employers, most are going to want to see that completed before they will even consider you.

Bes to luck to you on your journey. You may also wish to get experience in another country first, that will make you more marketable to an employer.

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Thanks, Suzanne, for the invaluable advice. I will be starting on your recommended strategy in tackling the NCLEX review and I will pass the exam!

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Specializes in (O.R.,N.I.C.U.,E.R.,Medical-Surgical,DR).

:yeah: Yeah! @tropanium and @rn4us.. very well said you guys! Thanks a lot! I am actually having the same situation with napnap. I know this msg was posted way back 2007, but it really does help me now. I'm also a newly R.N. here in CDO-Philippines. I do agree that the NCLEX exam is 'by the book' and that experiences can wait and that they don't run out. Wee! I'm enrolling next month for NCLEX. Pray for me guys!

Thank you so much! God bless us all RNs!

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