New from the Philippines

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Nurse Beth,

I am a newly licensed RN and I am a BSN graduate from the Philippines. Program here and the Philippines is really different.. i am trying to apply on different RN job openings but i did not have any RN hospital experience yet. I was hoping to ask for any advice on how to get in to hospital since I still did not have RN experience. And should i include my clinical rotation on my resume?

Since in the Philippines if you study BSN when you're in your Sophomore year you are already exposed in clinical rotation until you graduate from the program.. so for myself i considered this as as experience.

Dear new Filipino nurse,

Welcome to the States ?!

The best thing would be for you to land a spot in a new grad residency programs. That would give you 12-18 weeks of precepted orientation. You need a long and supportive orientation to adjust to both being a new nurse and being a new nurse in a new country and culture.

I work with a lot of wonderful Filipino nurses and you are right, nursing and nursing school in the Philippines is not the same as nursing and nursing school here in the States.

Including your clinical rotations on your resume does not really add value, because it's a given that you attended clinicals.

In the Philippines the clinical rotations you had while studying for your BSN may be considered experience but that's not the case here. You will be seen the same as a new grad without experience, sorry.

You don't say where you live, but the market for new grads varies regionally. You need to consider re-locating when seeking your first job.

If you absolutely cannot get into acute care, then apply to sub-acute. You will learn a great deal, and after 1-2 years, you can apply to acute care.

Since English is not your first language, have someone with good skills edit your cover letter and resume to give you the best chance. Also check out the Philippine nurses forum here on allnurses.

The Filipino nurses I know are an incredible support to each other, and I hope you have such a support group where you live.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

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