PH Nurses for USA (Experiences with Employers)

[stephlowe]

Hello my fellow Filipino nurses! How are you? I started this topic so that we can share our own experiences when it comes to getting employment opportunities in the U.S. Obviously, the pay in the U.S. is pretty much higher as compared to our country.

Actually, I'm one of the abandoned nurses before. Abandoned in a sense that a U.S. agency back somewhere in the 2000s wasn't able to give me my dream of working in the said country. Back then, there was a retrogression or the economic downpour in the U.S. and that's why they have backed out. As of now, I think the U.S. is already bouncing back and I already heard a lot of employers who are interested to hire Filipino nurses. I don't have any idea what to do since it involves money, time, and patience. Also, I'm scared if same thing will happen again. Have you heard about MMML or any other agencies?

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

I don't believe that article has much credibility. It's more what it doesn't say than what it does.

The nursing shortage may have temporarily decreased during the recession because some nurses have returned to work and the US is training more nurses.

BUT- the healthcare employment has continued to grow throughout the recession.

On March 9, 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that job growth in the healthcare sector was outpacing the growth realized in 2011, accounting for one out of every 5 new jobs created this year. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other ambulatory care settings added 49,000 new jobs in February 2012, up from 43,300 new jobs created in January.

and the department of labor predicts that the number of nursing positions will grow by 26% between 2010 and 2020. It is expected that the number of employed nurses will grow from 2.74 million to 3.45 million.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Nursing Shortage

With and ageing population and more emphasis on prevention this makes complete sense. Also- how many of these 1,000,000 new nurses will actually stay in nursing? I'm betting less than two thirds.

I'm not from PHL but I have aROW PD of Jan 2008 (so my date is current) and am living in the US now as husband has a work visa. I contacted the hospital that sponsored me originally are they are still keen to give me a job (they have over 200 RN job vacancies) and have agreed to pay the fees for adjustment of status for myself and family.

Here's something else to look at. Predictions for nursing shortages by State.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitalcommons.unl.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewcontent.cgi%3Farticle%3D1148%26context%3Dpublichealthresources&ei=XknTUayEPZPU9QTikYG4Aw&usg=AFQjCNGEPLo0rW_72g5SSOpTooVkQPFeOA&sig2=ePIYPPxulRnj65CNGNyUNg

Of course- the US knows all it needs to do is say the word and make Green cards available and RNs will come flooding in from the countries where their wages and conditions (as well as the political climate)are bad. Some planning in advance might be a better way though.

Congrads on being current, when do you start to work? Are they going to give you an extensive orientation since you have not practiced nursing in a long time and have never worked in the US? Two hundred open spots I woukd think they would want you to start asap!

[McLovin']

What you say is true...however employers are not sponsoring and if they are it is rare and if you have a valued skill/experience.

While the VISA approval, with the new immigration bill just passed (which I am extremely disappointed by with so many naturalized citizens as unemployed nurses), has been increased to 55,000/yr....it will not guarantee you a position or a guaranteed permission to sit for NCLEX. Many states have concurrent stipulations and many more states are following California's example. California has a 47% unemployment rate for nurses especially new grads/inexperienced nurses..

I am sorry you feel the way you do but we ALL live in constantly changing times and policies and laws must adjust and adapt to benefit the greater good. And yes, even in the United States. Internationally educated nurses deserve the equal opportunity Americans sometimes, or even most of the time, take for granted. Trust me ma'm/sir, new recruitment rulings WILL surface, new employment agreements will be made and whether you like it or not, one just has to live with it.

Yes I agree, for now employers are not sponsoring - yet. This bill has to take effect yet sometime in the 4th quarter of 2013. SO there is a lot of room for changes, just wait and see.

If my memory serves me well, a lot of admins here (mostly American 'nurses'), tend to negate and entice despair to a LOT of IEN posts regarding working in the U.S.

I guess saying "we told you so" doesn't really cut it.

[McLovin']

I, too, am from PH, but I beg to differ on your link from the Judiciary House, it does NOT pertain at all to nurses. This law is aimed more for the high tech and science markets and fields. I could be wrong, but maybe you can show us where this includes nurses per se.

The new proposed act is great for those wishing to work for Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, computer industries, internet companies, the electronics world, but nurses are not considered to be highly skilled employees when compared to those that studied under the hard sciences and more technical colleges.

As far as I know, skilled workers/Specialty Occupations, which are nurses are 99% classified into, are and is defined through the actual need of a U.S. Employer/Hospital. The institution will prove the their needs to the USCIS and wait for a decision to actually classify an IEN as an actual and needed employee in their institution/hospital.

Yes, technically nurses are sometimes not included in some skilled worker list, the U.S. included. BUT it is to the discretion of the health facility to request for visas (the H1-B visa) from the U.S. government.

"This bill provides American employers with access to the world’s best talent by allocating green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, increasing H-1B visas, and repealing the employment-based per-country cap.."

There is a draft copy of the SKILLS Act. Which can be found at

http://www.scribd.com/doc/143131145/The-SKILLS-Visa-Act

Hope you can read it well and be illuminated further. We may not be targeting for a skilled worker entry, but as this bill is presented, we definitely have numerous options to consider.

Basically, the new law is quite similar to Canada's Federal Skilled Worker program, and fyi was the means for my residency here in Canada. While this program proved its value in Canada's economy and labor growth throughout the years, it has, like any other man-made policies, unavoidable flaws. As Canada's FSW matured and developed, it went to a LOT and significant changes throughout the years. I am not saying that Canada and the U.S. WILL have the same ruling. I am merely pointing out the possible changes the SKILLS Act will undergo in the coming times. Which inevitably, shall open the U.S. doors for IEN's. Just like in previous decades.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I am sorry you feel the way you do but we ALL live in constantly changing times and policies and laws must adjust and adapt to benefit the greater good. And yes, even in the United States. Internationally educated nurses deserve the equal opportunity Americans sometimes, or even most of the time, take for granted. Trust me ma'm/sir, new recruitment rulings WILL surface, new employment agreements will be made and whether you like it or not, one just has to live with it.

Yes I agree, for now employers are not sponsoring - yet. This bill has to take effect yet sometime in the 4th quarter of 2013. SO there is a lot of room for changes, just wait and see.

If my memory serves me well, a lot of admins here (mostly American 'nurses'), tend to negate and entice despair to a LOT of IEN posts regarding working in the U.S.

I guess saying "we told you so" doesn't really cut it.

Let me clarify for you......you do not know me therefore you have NO IDEA how I feel or who I am. How can you be so sure that I am not IEN? You are making assumptions and judgements based on your opinion which has NOTHING what so ever to do with who I am.

As a hiring manager I have hired IEN's and when we were sponsoring I negotiated contracts for IEN's. My advice about the unemployment has nothing what so ever with where you were educated....it has to do with the abysmal job market in the US.

California's regulations about education requirements..... affects US graduates as well in those states....regardless of immigration/VISA status. Many other states are following suit. That is a fact. This is in response to the online for profit program that have sprung up all over the US. These are the present states with concurrent requirements.

Alabama

Arizona

California

Georgia

Illinois

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

north Dakota

Oklahoma

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

The job market is abysmal for nurses ALL nurse across the US. The average job search in most of the country is 15-28 months. Go forward....armed with accurate information so you may discover the right path for you. In education there is knowledge....in knowledge is power.

I am a firm believer in Praemonitus praemunitus or forewarned is forearmed.

All the best....:)

[greenjungle]

This bill is aimed only at technological sector employees, no mention of nurses.

Market here still effectively closed for foreign RNs.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

The market is difficult...not closed. The are states that consider STEM nursing...my state is one of them.

.List of STEM Field Degrees and Public Institutions

.http://www.mass.gov/treasury/affilia...d-degrees.html

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Basically, the new law is quite similar to Canada's Federal Skilled Worker program, and fyi was the means for my residency here in Canada. While this program proved its value in Canada's economy and labor growth throughout the years, it has, like any other man-made policies, unavoidable flaws. As Canada's FSW matured and developed, it went to a LOT and significant changes throughout the years. I am not saying that Canada and the U.S. WILL have the same ruling. I am merely pointing out the possible changes the SKILLS Act will undergo in the coming times. Which inevitably, shall open the U.S. doors for IEN's. Just like in previous decades.

But Canada took nursing off its Skilled Workers program this year...

[McLovin']

But Canada took nursing off its Skilled Workers program this year...

I'm not really sure where you're going with this, but yes.. Canada did remove the RN's from their needed occupations.

[McLovin']

This bill is aimed only at technological sector employees, no mention of nurses.

Market here still effectively closed for foreign RNs.

Whether be it aimed at the technological sectors, farmers, or drug dealers.. My point here is that this Act can most certainly pave the way for positive labor opportunities for IEN's.

The Skills Act is just in its infancy stages. And trust me, there will be significant changes in the coming months.

[McLovin']

Let me clarify for you......you do not know me therefore you have NO IDEA how I feel or who I am. How can you be so sure that I am not IEN? You are making assumptions and judgements based on your opinion which has NOTHING what so ever to do with who I am.

As a hiring manager I have hired IEN's and when we were sponsoring I negotiated contracts for IEN's. My advice about the unemployment has nothing what so ever with where you were educated....it has to do with the abysmal job market in the US.

California's regulations about education requirements..... affects US graduates as well in those states....regardless of immigration/VISA status. Many other states are following suit. That is a fact. This is in response to the online for profit program that have sprung up all over the US. These are the present states with concurrent requirements.

Alabama

Arizona

California

Georgia

Illinois

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

north Dakota

Oklahoma

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

The job market is abysmal for nurses ALL nurse across the US. The average job search in most of the country is 15-28 months. Go forward....armed with accurate information so you may discover the right path for you. In education there is knowledge....in knowledge is power.

I am a firm believer in Praemonitus praemunitus or forewarned is forearmed.

All the best....:)

A warning on what? That IEN's don't stand a chance to be working in the U.S. in the next 100 years, despite the onset of favorable (rudimentary) rulings and laws, and therefore must disregard their plans? Please enlighten us on this.

Good for you that you are an IEN as well as a hiring manager, but with all due respect, the objective of my posts was to usher in a little speck of hope to those who are in dire need of it. Not to question and contradict the actual situations you might have in the U.S nor undermine and demoralize your stature and influence. We KNOW you are merely pointing out facts. But please, give us the (insignificant) optimism we crave so that we may survive each day in our current lives. I am fully aware of the poor job market of nurses in California, as well as the rising standards of many, many states in the U.S.

Nevertheless, thank you for the information. I'm sure we all appreciate it. Cheers!

[steppybay]

Whether be it aimed at the technological sectors, farmers, or drug dealers.. My point here is that this Act can most certainly pave the way for positive labor opportunities for IEN's.

The Skills Act is just in its infancy stages. And trust me, there will be significant changes in the coming months.

One of our kabayan who graduated a couple of years ago is still looking for her first real hospital job, not just a personal caregiver, she's licensed in FL and in chatting with her this morning. She was asking her immigration lawyer about this new bill.

He says that nursing is listed, however the big question that remains is of what degree holding?

According to his findings and in discussing with his other partners, it's believed that the STEM's bill will not include those with BSN's, but rather it MAY apply to those international applicants with MSN's and that is not certain and may be granted to those with the higher degrees of doctorates.

Those that supported the bill are favoring more of the high tech skilled workers (computer, IT, math, hard sciences, etc) and will give more "passes" to them, since nurses in the USA is still not in any real demand of needing international ones.

It's been reported here that the state of Nevada has recently closed any more foreign nurse applications, not known it's true or not, but the posters did call the NV BON to verify and was told "yes". CA BON has only approved but a handful of PH applicants since Nov. 2011 (when the strict concurrency enforcement took place of their old 25 year plus policy).

You rarely see any more PH nurses finding a hospital job on these forums and other forums. Those that do and if lucky are going into LTC, nursing homes, SNF etc and not their real desired work preference.

[greenjungle]

It's a bleak landscape out there for foreign RNs.