need help with nursing job in US from Phils.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 20, 2005

First, welcome to Allnurses.com.

Where in CA are they placing you? $21 for a major metro area is a horrible rate and stay away from it. There is absolutely no reason that you need to take the CGFNS exam. Concentrate on passing your required English exams and NCLEX.

Also advise that you do not go for initial licensure in California.

Please read the other threads already here on this.

nursig · Jun 21, 2005

First, welcome to Allnurses.com.
Where in CA are they placing you? $21 for a major metro area is a horrible rate and stay away from it. There is absolutely no reason that you need to take the CGFNS exam. Concentrate on passing your required English exams and NCLEX.
Also advise that you do not go for initial licensure in California.
Please read the other threads already here on this.

Thanks for the reply suzenne4. I will still know tomorrow the details of the employer's offer. Actually, I still don't know the fair rates there. So you mean $21/hr is unfair? I know that CGFNS is not needed in California. I was advised to take it in case I changed employment to another state that requires CGFNS. And also if ever I don't have CGFNS cert., my papers will still pass CGFNS for processing and will ask for the same fee as taking the exam. So decided to take the exam. What do you mean by " Do not go for initial licensure in California"? What's that initial licensure? Is it different from the California NCLEX? Kindly clarify. Thanks again.

nursig

suzanne4, RN · Jun 22, 2005

NCLEX is a national licnesure exam, there is no such thing as a California NCLEX per se. In the "old" days, each state had their own exam and it was done by paper and pencil and took two days. Now there is one exam, and you can even take it in Asia. :)

There are only two states that require CGFNS, which you cannot even endorse to without having CGFNS exam, and those are Michigan and Illinois.

If you go for initial licensure in California, which means that you are applying to CA BRN for licensure by taking the NCLEX exam for them, you will be unable to endorse to another state until after you have a Social Security Number#, and you won;t get that until you actually have a job. CA will only issue you a letter stating that you meet the requirements but will not issue you a license so you cannot endorse easily someplace else.

Depending on where you will be working in CA, $21 can be a very poor rate because of cost of living. I highly recommend that you do not sign a contract with that rate, but then it is your choice. I wouldn't do it.

Especially since you are unaware of anything over here and can easily be taken advantage of. You can get stuck in one of those contracts and have difficulty getting out of it. Such as what type of fee would you have to pay to them if you had to cancle the contract, or the hospital conacelled you? Many have fees of about $15,000 US.

Rep · Jun 22, 2005

Hello and welcome to allnurses! As for employment certification, some hospitals don't even require that. The facility where I am going to work for doesn't even ask if I have nursing expereince. By the way, I am still here in the Philippines. Southern California is my destination. They offered me $27/hour as my starting pay. So heed the advise of Suzanne here with regards to salary. Good luck!

carvanaragon · Jun 24, 2005

welcome to allnurses, kabayan.

Dont give your commitment to the first agency that you see. Try to go to as many agencies you can find and compare and contrast. if you can, it is better to try working things on your own first even before going to an agency. I have gone through the same path you are taking. i did not work with any agency, i worked on my own and it can be done. I graduated March 2004 in Pangasinan, though i come from Baguio. i took my local board last June, took my NCLEX last November 30, 2004. I started working in Southern CA last May 3, 2005. Rate of 21 is rude and a commitment of 3 years is not very friendly.

zuriel · Jun 25, 2005

welcome to allnurses, kabayan.
Dont give your commitment to the first agency that you see. Try to go to as many agencies you can find and compare and contrast. if you can, it is better to try working things on your own first even before going to an agency. I have gone through the same path you are taking. i did not work with any agency, i worked on my own and it can be done. I graduated March 2004 in Pangasinan, though i come from Baguio. i took my local board last June, took my NCLEX last November 30, 2004. I started working in Southern CA last May 3, 2005. Rate of 21 is rude and a commitment of 3 years is not very friendly.

Hello Kabayan, I am just waiting my visa screen certificate. When do I need them? Do I need during filling of adjustment of status and EAD or during GC interview? zuriel

suzanne4, RN · Jun 25, 2005

Depends on where you will be filing..........if in the US, you should have it quickly as possible, but then that depends on where your employer is located, if in Manila, when you have you interview.

zuriel · Jun 25, 2005

Depends on where you will be filing..........if in the US, you should have it quickly as possible, but then that depends on where your employer is located, if in Manila, when you have you interview.

It will be filed in the US. But still I don't have employer since I am still here in Manila. Anyway, I already submitted all requirements for visa screen I am just holding on for sometime just in case they need more documents. Thnaks for your advices. :)

hahaha · Jun 25, 2005

starting rate in the bay area is 40/hr average

I am a BSN graduate, single male from Quezon City and still awaiting the June 2005 local nursing examination results. I am also in the medical profession. Right now, I don't know which step to take next. Should I get a job here as nurse while preparing for exams, such as CGFNS, IELTS and NCLEX? Or should I continue my medical profession? Is certification of employment here as a nurse important in U.S.?
Two days from now, me and my colleagues will meet a U.S. employer based in California who is offering a 3 year contract as direct hiring. $21/hr 48 hrs a week.
I'm still unfamiliar with the nursing migration. And I don't want to make mistakes when getting to U.S. to work as nurse. I hope there is a fellow Filipino here who have gone through it and would like to help me in doing the right steps.
nursig

suzanne4, RN · Jun 26, 2005

Not if they go thru an agency.............the agency gets part of the salary.

nursig · Jul 2, 2005

Thanks for the info, suzanne