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

[sheenahRN]

So here's the thing: Worked in a call center as I waited to have my results for the boards.. when I got my license, I resigned, which was actually around last week of December 2007. Then on, tried to get into trainings and so I got into one very good hospital and finished my Red Cross and IV Therapy Training... After which, still no job. Now, I took the NCLEX, and I am not that confident that I passed... No results yet. Its my birthday today and I feel depressed coz I still no growth in my career. My parents do not want me working anything else BUT as nurse!!! So I spend my time trying to look for jobs to no avail.....

What do you think I should do next?

Apply to Saudi Arabia?

Where I don't know if thats gonna be safe for someone like me?

Need advice. And thanks.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

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 would say that this is very poor advice in the sense that access to health care jobs, including nursing, is all but impossible and is likely to stay that way for many years to come. If you're not already on a waiting list for a visa, you'll have to wait even longer. There are so many posts here about how difficult it is and to pretend that the door is still always open is a sad mistake. How many dreams have been wrecked by unrealistic expectations?

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.

That tactic might work in some places, but many others are going to want "real" nursing experience where you're required to utilize all of the training you received, and for you to have a license to provide that care. I am the parent of a special-needs individual; his care is provided by unlicensed personnel and no amount of "spinning" would ever make what they do for him look like a nursing job. You can teach a teenager to give tube feeds, do chest physio and suction a trach without them needing to know the theory behind what they're doing, as a nurse would be expected to. Nursing is more than tasks.

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

These still would not equate with actual "nursing experience", even if one could obtain a visa and work permit to provide such care.

It may seem that I'm throwing cold water on your hopes and dreams, but what I'm trying to do is provide some realistic perspective. Things change so rapidly and unpredictably in this world these days and the very best, most carefully laid plans often go awry. Inability to shift focus when necessary and unwillingness to acknowledge tough realities will only make things harder. If a person really wants to be a registered nurse in a western country, that person will find out what else is required of them and find a way to achieve it. If you need nursing experience and can't get it in the Philippines, you will have to search for a place that will provide nursing employment to a person with no experience and go there. Put in the time, do the work. Despite the severe personnel shortages in many places, western hospitals, particularly those in the US do not view themselves as charitable organizations; they want nurses who can walk in, learn the ropes of a particular area and be independently functioning in as short a period of time as possible. Otherwise, what is the point?

[sheenahRN]

I would say that this is very poor advice in the sense that access to health care jobs, including nursing, is all but impossible and is likely to stay that way for many years to come. If you're not already on a waiting list for a visa, you'll have to wait even longer. There are so many posts here about how difficult it is and to pretend that the door is still always open is a sad mistake. How many dreams hve been wrecked by unrealistic expectations?

That tactic might work in some places, but many others are going to want "real" nursing experience where you're required to utilize all of the training you received, and for you to have a license to provide that care. I am the parent of a special-needs individual; his care is provided by unlicensed personnel and no amount of "spinning" would ever make what they do for him look like a nursing job. You can teach a teenager to give tube feeds, do chest physio and suction a trach without them needing to know the theory behind what they're doing, as a nurse would be expected to. Nursing is more than task.

These still would not equate with actual "nursing experience", even if one could obtain a visa and work permit to provide such care.

It may seem that I'm throwing cold water on your hopes and dreams, but what I'm trying to do is provide some realistic perspective. Things change so rapidly and unpredictably in this world these days and the very best, most carefully laid plans often go awry. Inability to shift focus when necessary and unwillingness to acknowledge tough realities will only make things harder. If a person really wants to be a registered nurse in a western country, that person will find out what else is required of them and find a way to achieve it. If you need nursing experience and can't get it in the Philippines, you will have to search for a place that will provide nursing employment to a person with no experience and go there. Put in the time, do the work. Despite the severe personnel shortages in many places, western hospitals, particularly those in the US do not view themselves as charitable organizations; they want nurses who can walk in, learn the ropes of a particular area and be independently functioning in as short a period of time as possible. Otherwise, what is the point?

I really appreciate this and no, I don't think its splashing cold water on my dreams. Not at all. From someone who has experience, I like that I am getting a dose of reality. It's just been a mixture of contradicting advice that I have to figure out first and sort of sift through to work through what I need to do.

Thnaks again!

[Hushdawg]

I would say that this is very poor advice in the sense that access to health care jobs, including nursing, is all but impossible and is likely to stay that way for many years to come. If you're not already on a waiting list for a visa, you'll have to wait even longer. There are so many posts here about how difficult it is and to pretend that the door is still always open is a sad mistake. How many dreams have been wrecked by unrealistic expectations?

I understand that, I'm just trying to offer some possibilities understanding both the Philippine environment and the US hiring practices. I am not trying to sugar-coat the fact that the road to an American job is long, hard and seemingly impossible at times. At the same time, it is not actually impossible and I believe there is always hope for those who want to work hard to achieve the goals. Look at it this way, all this difficulty in making a career out of nursing in the USA will automatically filter out nurses who would perhaps lack the due diligence to make effective employees in the high-stress environment of American healthcare.

Am I wrong?

That tactic might work in some places, but many others are going to want "real" nursing experience where you're required to utilize all of the training you received, and for you to have a license to provide that care.

I really appreciate what you are saying here and I understand that nursing is about more than tasks, but here in the Philippines there are literally NO jobs for healthcare. Nurses are having to PAY the hospitals to put them on staff so that they will maintain the knowledge gained in school. When there are no healthcare jobs available then you have to step down a level. Many families that can afford it (the 5% wealthy here) will rather hire a nurse or nursing student than just someone off the street when they have a child with special needs.

Additionally, teenagers are rarely hired for anything here in the Philippines. The only jobs you will see teenagers taking are limited babysitting and some fast food but the employment structure here in the Philippines actually discourages people from attempting to obtain employment until age 18 or 20. This is something I have to deal with in my staff even though most of them are 24 - 26 this is the first job they have ever held.

Quite different than the USA where most of us begin working at age 15.

These still would not equate with actual "nursing experience", even if one could obtain a visa and work permit to provide such care.

Excellent point. What suggestions would you make for a nurse who cannot find work in a hospital? Let's start there and find some solutions for our Pinoy nurses.

It may seem that I'm throwing cold water on your hopes and dreams, but what I'm trying to do is provide some realistic perspective. Things change so rapidly and unpredictably in this world these days and the very best, most carefully laid plans often go awry. Inability to shift focus when necessary and unwillingness to acknowledge tough realities will only make things harder.

I agree, I have no problem with reality-checks and I dispense those on a daily basis.

Thank you for your constructive input.

[griffon]

Hi sheenahRN,

Your goal is to stay in the nursing field you may have to look outside the Philippines. Please look at the other threads concerning other countries for insight. The countries that stand out are Australia and Saudi. From what I gathered Australia will require you to finish a 3 month bridging program, but it's expensive. You lack the 2 years experience to bypass the bridging program. Saudi Arabia can help fill that requirement. You only need to meet very few requirements passing the NLE, female and over 22 to be accepted (for the most part). Take a look at the thread for more information.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f235/saudi-moh-237578.html

[misspowers]

Hi sheenah...we are on the same boat...but I think yours is better than mine. Even call centers won't take...I passed every single step of the employment process---every interview, oral and written exam...even the phone simulation. I always get kicked out on the final interview when they ask me what the heck am I doing in a call center industry when my resume clearly shouts that I intend to be a nurse. To make matters worse, my being a double degree doesn't help me get employed...either I am over qualified (I even applied as a receptionist) or underqualified...I lack certain training and additional licenses...

I presume that your a first courser, you will be preferred over 2nd coursers. Another tip btw, is never mention that you took the nclex. Never tell them that you have plans of going abroad...tell them lies!!! That is the absurd way to get hired in our country, just tell them that even though they will pay you less than what your housemaid is getting that you idolize Florence Nightingale...that you are not after the salary...that you want to help the needy and the oppressed...

Another sad reality that we have to face right now is the old cliche that I have heard a million times during the whole ordeal of job hunting..."It is not what you know but WHO you know" that really matters. If your family has "connections", use them. It is a very gruesome experience, sometimes I need to stop looking for a week just to regain my esteem. It is hard to take rejections every single application. Nope, I am not giving up...it sure is painful to go through all this but I know in God's time He will give me that job.

It is so hard to be positive when people put you down. By whining and complaining we can not achieve anything...so I suggest that you visit jobstreet.com or jobsdb. You have the edge over us second courser. I just hope that we can write our own success stories here really soon.

If you want to volunteer to gain experience I can refer you to a government hospital that I went to. It was an awesome experience, probably the best 3 months of my nursing carreer. I terminated my services because i really want to look for a job.

Good luck to all of us.

[sheenahRN]

Hi Friffon!

I have actually looked into possibly going down the Australia route, however, you are right.. It is quite expensive. Starting with the exams, plus the assessment.. and relocating there to study. Do you know if they give you a student visa for this? Are we allowed to work if ever? I know somehow my parents can shoulder the tuition, but the rest I am not too certain. Saudi is my very last option, for now.

Thank you for your input and hope I hear from you again soon. :)

[5cats]

hello,

belated happy birthday.

I might as well add my 5 cents worth, lol

If you want to stick with nursing I would also advise maybe to look Australia direction. It's one of the few countries that are to my knowledge still activly looking for nurses, another option might be Canada.

Doesn't matter where you are going you will need to invest money into fees, some more some less to meet the country requirements. If you really cannot find a nursing job in your country why not work sth different where you at least earn decent money to be able to pay those fees, you should try to explain that to your parents.

There will never be a 100% garanty no matter what you do, that you will find a job.

Another thought. When countries are hiring foreigners, they are in a way desperate to fill certain positions, and often it's not the best hospitals and often rural areas where locals don't want to work.

About the UK advise:

I'm sorry to say but it's a bad one. Carers are poorly paid here, even if you would get a visa/work permit. You would be one of the many working poor. It won't help you with your nursing career at all more the contrary, because you won't even have the money to pursue further education. And those advertisements about studying and earning in the UK are all scam. Those are playing with your desperation and hopelessness.

If you are interested in Europe work on your languages, it might give you a chance in some years to come.

Finally if you don't really want to be a nurse, look for a job that pays and pursue your dream.

5cats

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Excellent point. What suggestions would you make for a nurse who cannot find work in a hospital? Let's start there and find some solutions for our Pinoy nurses.

we started a couple of threads for ideas

https://allnurses.com/forums/f235/jobs-you-can-create-your-own-320206.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f235/making-things-better-nurses-philippines-243880.html

[sheenahRN]

Griffon, I'm sorry.. misstyped it as Friffon. LOL

As for 5cats, thank you very much for that 5 cents worth. Really, its worth more than 5 cents to me! hehehe:) I am very interested regarding the Australia route and so let me pose a question to you if I may... Do you know if they give you a student visa for this? Are we allowed to work if ever? I know somehow my parents can shoulder the tuition, but the rest I am not too certain. Canada just isn't an option for me right now. My mom has connections with an agency that hires nurses for Canada, but tehy don't have a bridging program for nurses liek me who hasn't gfained experience yet. Very much unlike Australia. I think I'd like to try the Land Down Under.

I'm hoping to hear from you agian. Thank you!:)

[sheenahRN]

misspowers!

i'm soo glad that i finally got a message from someone who's kinda in the same boat. job hunting things sucks right now, but i'm trying to say positive and think it'll be that much sweeter when we have the job that we both love and passionate about!

you are right, teh minute we tell them teh truth, that we are just biding their time.. then it goes downhill from there. i know one call center if you are interested, that would liek to get people with medical backgrounds.. htmt:) try your luck there.

as for teh volunteer thing, can you refer me to that government hospital? i am hoping its near somehow to my place so i can work out an arrangement... its kinda hard to volunteer, when you don't have the money to go to and from work, plus the distance. LOL

thank you very much! hoping to hear from you again:)

and goodluck to us both!

[misspowers]

Your from Antipolo...the hospitals is tala, its in caloocan...i think its far. Anyways just PM if you are still interested.

God Bless to all the nurses!!!

I just want to be a nurse, it may be odd to hear but I am really into this. I never really thought that shifting careers would be this tough.

[5cats]

I'm not an expert for Australia, but I think you will need a work visa (temporay) , but you have to start the proccess first, BUT when your fiance is in the States why are you going elswhere or bother looking into it???

5cats