Nursing Career Advice for a Filipina

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 11, 2005

Hello and welcome to the family of allnurses. Enjoy your stay and good luck!

suzanne4, RN · Aug 11, 2005

You will need to pass the English exams as well as NCLEX exam to get the Visa Screen Certificate. If things continue to progress as they are, I anticipate that by the time that you would be even considering coming over, you will be required to have that before anything will be able to be filed on your behalf. You do not need a license from your home country, but you do need a completed set of transcripts before you can even begin any of the process. And be aware that it can then take about four months, if not longer, before you will even get permission to sit for the NCLEX exam.

So for coming over as soon as you finish, that really isn't an option....you won't have everything done before your six months will be up.

Antigone · Aug 11, 2005

So, say Im graduating October 2006, how should I go about it? Can you help me make, like, a timeline? I think the licensure will be on December 2006. When's the earliest time I can start a job in the US provided I pass everything?

I really want to work in New York.

Thanks a lot! This forum is really really helpful. :)

Nurse Dependent · Aug 11, 2005

I have a tourist visa. I will be finished October of 2006. Should I go straight to the US and not take the licensure here and just take the NCLEX? I am really clueless. please help me.

hope you take the usual (normal, legal, and fair) route, and try not to shortcut the process because of your tourist visa. this way is very pinoy.

if you'd ask any agency, it normally takes 18 months for the whole process to complete. that's under normal circumstances.

good luck

suzanne4, RN · Aug 11, 2005

Probably mid 2008 if you follow the rules..................and get your green card first I know that is not what you want to hear, but the better things are worth waiting for.................

It will take you aobut four months before you even get permisiion to sit for the NCLEX. Most hospitals or agencies will wait until you have at least passed the licensure exam, then the immigration process begins. There is no quick fix adn if someone promsies you that you will have a green card in four months run as fast you can away from them. There is no such thing.

Antigone · Aug 11, 2005

So its not a good idea to use my tourist visa, sit the NCLEX, then apply in a hospital then afterwards apply for adjustment of status?

This is a very enlightening thread. :)

himdale · Aug 12, 2005

So its not a good idea to use my tourist visa, sit the NCLEX, then apply in a hospital then afterwards apply for adjustment of status?
This is a very enlightening thread. :)

NOT A GOOD IDEA TO USE THE TOURIST VISA AND THEN ADJUST STATUS. If you are caught and sure you will be because you will be adjusting status from tourist to immigrant...That is INTENT TO COMMIT FRAUD or FRAUD because you know that ever since from the beginning that you should not use a tourist visa and then adjust status to permanent resident...

98% of the Filipinos that were given U.S. tourist visas did not return home.

This is the impression that causes other Filipinos to suffer more! I hope you follow the advise of Nurse Dependent...Take the safe, sure and FAIR route...

There are no shortcuts in obtaining a GREEN CARD and fulfilling your American Dream...

If you do not believe me please read the provisions of the new law THE REAL I.D. ACT which was signed by George Bush last May 11, 2005.

Goodluck,

dale

Nurse Dependent · Aug 12, 2005

There are no shortcuts in obtaining a GREEN CARD and fulfilling your American Dream...
Goodluck,
dale

well said, dale.

as i've said before, you embarked on this nursing program because we wish to believe that the flame of service burn so hot within you. i'm sure this is your primary reason, that's why you decided to take nursing as your second degree.

you, being a possible GC holder, comes secondary to your chosen path.

wouldn't it be nice to hone your skills here first before thinking of flying immediately to the states? try working in a public hospital after you've earn your license. your actual practice in that milieu will make you appreciate this noble profession more. the privilege of serving your countrymen first comes with it.

to dale you listen. try not to be tempted to "overuse" (read: abuse) your tourist visa. a lot of pinoys who are "worthy" applicants of a US visa are hurt by this practice. this has put the filipinos into a negative light already that the issuance of a visa to valid applicants has become incredibly difficult.

good luck to you.

Rep · Aug 13, 2005

Antigone,

I agree with Dale and Nurse Dependent. Do not use your tourist visa as a venue for you to find work in the US. That is a short cut that will give you a lot of head aches and legal problems later. Go through the old and tested way.

Finish your studies, take the board exams and later the NCLEX or CGFNS. Find work or volunteer and gain some nursing skills to better prepare you when you work in the US.

Then look for an employer or an agency that can place you there.

Do not hurry, as Dale said read the Real I.D. Act. There are plenty of immigrant visas for nurses and for new nurses to come. The "nursing shortage" in the US will last until 2020 as reported in CNN and other reliable American media sources.

By the way, I am a registered nurse and a 1991 graduate. I took and passed my CGFNS in Nov., 1992. I only worked for a year and found a job as a medical representative. I only decided to apply for immigration in late 2002. I completed my English exams, TOEFL and TSE in early 2003. I am just waiting for my interview appointment or Packet 4.

I am 36 years old and you are only 27. You have all the time in the world.

Good luck and wish you the best in school.

Rep,

Antigone · Aug 14, 2005

Thanks for the advice. :)