No job in nursing in the Philippines, what to do?

fil_murse07, LPN · Nov 12, 2008

You're Welcome

Nothing wrong with a call center job. I used to work in a call center before leaving for KSA. It pays more than the average salary of a nurse in PI

quackmoonstar · Nov 12, 2008

Some people tell me KSA is more dangerous for males than females. Anyway, when I asked my ex-Saudi colleagues about KSA, they said working there was okay. Just as long as you work in the big cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.

sheenahRN · Nov 12, 2008

RNHawaii34

Of all the people who replied, I think what you suggested made the most sense. Thank you. I am taking steps to land a job, ANY job for that matter. Haha:) Really appreciate all the effort people have put in into replying.

Now I am smiling:)

redranger · Nov 12, 2008

Any nursing job will be better than no job. Why did you quit your job in the call center? How are you living? I am under the impression all Philippines are very poor and why would you give up a job that pays for no job? If your goal is to come to the USA it could be years.
My US nursing students can't afford giving up a non nursing job until they have a paying nursing job or they would be homeless. Employers ( even nursing) look for stability you gave up a paying position for no job that would not impress me as Nurse Manager. Also US nurses age you age live independently. I think this a difference in cultures. I only mention this since many Americans look down at people who are unemployed and live with their parents .

1. Poor is based upon your culture and your own defintions. My wife is from PI. Her family is made up of Lawyers, Doctors, CPA's so don't assume all are poor in PI.

2. Living with parents in PI is common and not looked down upon in PI. Grandparents, Parents and kids living in same house is very common is PI.

JeRyL · Nov 12, 2008

Hi Sheena! While reading your first post, I thought I was reading my story! I also worked in a call center (twice) - both because of the SAME reason, while waiting for the exam results. I passed NLE, NCLEX and IELTS now and am currently looking for a NURSING job! Unfortunately, there are no vacancies in hospitals - even for trainee nurses!

I have lots of call center experience but NO nursing experience. Now, I'm unemployed, and hoping for hospitals to call me. Don't fret Sheena, you're not alone. =)

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 12, 2008

1. Poor is based upon your culture and your own defintions. My wife is from PI. Her family is made up of Lawyers, Doctors, CPA's so don't assume all are poor in PI.
2. Living with parents in PI is common and not looked down upon in PI. Grandparents, Parents and kids living in same house is very common is PI.

I am basing poor on the posts here where the nurses claim to come the America for the "American Dream".

I understand their is a cultural difference, here in the US when people get to be a certain age, they assume responsibility for their own rent, food, etc. Many work full time while going to school full time. Americans seem to admire one who makes it it on their own with out the financial support of their parents.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 12, 2008

It's true that Western employers may look upon someone in their mid 20's still living at home as a sign of immaturity. And having that label of immaturity will not help in finding a nursing job in North America. The degree of responsibility we nurses assume here is so great that maturity and accountability are paramount.

Another strike against you sheenahRN is that you have no nursing experience. You will be competing for entry-level positions with others who have no experience and there will be numerous factors taken into consideration as to which of you will succeed. One of them will be the amount of money the employer will have to spent to employ you. The job will go to the person who costs them the least.

sheenahRN · Nov 12, 2008

Many people in the Philippines are not poor literally but poor in opportunity. Now I understand why people are unemployed. I admire the things you all have said: especially the independence of making it on my own. But as you can see, a lot of us have the same issues working against us. One big chunk of that is ofcourse, that we newly graduate nurses, have no experience yet. I am not asking what the strikes are against us, what I am asking for is advice on how to work around or through it.

Hushdawg · Nov 13, 2008

Sheenah, one way you can work through it is to find a job related to healthcare here in PH to work while processing yourself and promoting yourself to companies in the USA. I know the market for nurses here in the Philippines is almost nonexistant now but there are options that will allow you to continue using your caretaking skills.

The challenge then comes into spinning them on your resume to maximize the amount of actual healthcare application those jobs had for you.

For example if you are going to talk a position as a yayah here, look for the challenging ones with special needs children (which often offer better pay) that way you can illustrate the intese level of care that was needed by your patient and it becomes more of a full-service caretaker position than if you were caring for an average child.

Pinoys are really good at inginuity, just put that toward your focus in finding a job here while trying to apply for overseas.

Additionally, there are some specialized caretaking positions available in the UK and other countries which offer good opportunities, if not better than the US.

quackmoonstar · Nov 13, 2008

I am basing poor on the posts here where the nurses claim to come the America for the "American Dream".

That's because the U.S. offers VERY attractive salaries for nurses whereas healthcare facilities here in the Philippines offer VERY meager compensation (some nurses are even being paid below the minimum wage). With what I'm earning right now, I can't even afford to live alone. My family owns a tailoring shop and most of our tailors earn more than I do. My dad keeps making fun of me and tells me to resign from my job and just become a tailor. :rolleyes:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 13, 2008

Additionally, there are some specialized caretaking positions available in the UK and other countries which offer good opportunities, if not better than the US.

Very hard to get into the UK for a work permit if not from the EU (going to get harder) and the courses that are advertised do not guarantee being able to stay at the end of it and they can't. Working as a carer will not be classed as experience when applying to the NMC for RN

sheenahRN · Nov 13, 2008

Sheenah, one way you can work through it is to find a job related to healthcare here in PH to work while processing yourself and promoting yourself to companies in the USA. I know the market for nurses here in the Philippines is almost nonexistant now but there are options that will allow you to continue using your caretaking skills.
The challenge then comes into spinning them on your resume to maximize the amount of actual healthcare application those jobs had for you.
For example if you are going to talk a position as a yayah here, look for the challenging ones with special needs children (which often offer better pay) that way you can illustrate the intese level of care that was needed by your patient and it becomes more of a full-service caretaker position than if you were caring for an average child.
Pinoys are really good at inginuity, just put that toward your focus in finding a job here while trying to apply for overseas.
Additionally, there are some specialized caretaking positions available in the UK and other countries which offer good opportunities, if not better than the US.

Thank you very much for that. You know I will use that advice as i am looking for other health care related jobs. Best of luck to me! HAHA.