Hi Everyone,
I am hoping I can get some advice and someone can help me.
I am an American of Filipino heritage (my parents are Ilocano and Visayan) I was born in Davao but came to the US when I was very young and now am an American Citizen.
About me: I am 33 years old and have lived in New York most of my life. Have had all my education in the US through HS and some college, but no Bachelors degree to speak of. My professional career has consisted mainly in finance most recently working in the mortgage business for the past 6 years which has not been fairing too well. Given current economic situation I have decided to change careers and go to Davao for nursing school and then after graduation return to NY to practice. I am conversational in tagalog and can understand but not speak cebuano .. obviously english is not an issue for me.
I have narrowed down my school selection to Brokenshire College, Davao Doctors College and San Pedro College.
My questions are this...
1. Is there an age restriction to enter the nursing program in any of these schools for a foreigner?
2. What are my chances for admission to any of these schools, given the fact that my HS transripts are from 1993 and my last formal tertiary education has not been since 1999? As a foreign student will I need to take an entrance exam?
3. How long would it take to obtain a Student Visa? I have been reading mixed information, The consulate says I need to have a notification of acceptance, while the college sites say I need to have the student visa to apply. I am hoping I find someone who has been through this for some clarity.
4. Assuming I am able to attend school and graduate being a US Citizen I realize I would not be able to take the NLE. I also realize i will need to get a CVS for to sit for the NCLEX in NY. How long will this process take and is there anyway to expedite this?
Now before anyone suggests it, I have already looked into the possiblity of going to nursing school in NY and the the competition is so fierce and and the waiting list for schools in the area is so long I have opted to go to school in the Philippines for a number of reasons.
1. Tution and Room and Board is a fraction of the cost it would be in NY
2. I would not need to work and be able to concentrate on school full time in Davao
3. It would be an opportunity for me to connect with my heritage and culture
My concerns
I am an older student (though I don't look old) I may have a hard time assimilating to college life and to my younger classmates
I am Filipino but a very Americanized Filipino .. I don't even associate with other Filipinos in NY other than my family.
I am attending school in Davao with every intention of returning to NY to practice. I'm not sure if this is frowned upon at the colleges I am attending
When I do return it will be very difficult to sit and pass the NCLEX and get licensed
Safety ... Although I hear that Davao City is the safest city in the Philippines I am still weary being a foreigner
If anyone out there can help me with some advice or better yet let me know if you have a similar situation and have been through this it would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for an honest opinion and trying to make and educated decision.
Thanks so much
Ryan