josie1

Do not give up hope! No matter what happens, visa retrogression or not The Statistics and the data as far as Job openings go show that there is still a HUGE Shortage of RNs in the US, as well as the UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland, Singapore, Canada and now even Japan. Comparativley the pay, benefits etc. are still far better in the US than anywhere else in the globe. I can refer you a good immigration Atty. but I dont think I can broadcast it here. Let me know by PM if you need one. They have helped me thru my toughest scenario- but thats another story..

I personaly think that you do not have to volunteer that information unless it is asked of you. And even then it is probably non of their business, since it has nothing to do with wether you can proficiently perform the work as an RN.

Dont give up hope yet on NCLEX in the Phil.s! I think that they are still trying to find the right vendor to work with here in the Phil.s I learned that a couple of months ago I was interviewed by a co. that was participating in an RFP ( Req. for Proposal) that was sent to service companies ( By Pearson Vue I beleive) that currently provide testing services for US regulated liscences (e.g. the testing service that provides tests for A & P(Aircraft and Powerplant) mechanics for the FAA ( Federal Aviation Autority - a US Gov. body ) here in the Philippines. One of these companies had tried to recruit some Nurse consultants and even Doctors to be part of their RFP bid team. Though I interviewed for the job, where they breifed me about what they were looking for, my family situation did not favor pursuing this line. I so that activity as "some sign" that NCLEX wasstill working through its RFP etc. These things do take time as the co. I interviewed with shared especialy where US Homeland security etc. and US govt. regulations are enforced.For whatever this bit of info is worth...

Good Luck! Sounds like you have it in the bag! Do let us know how it went!

Yes Floridabound, my trust level had gone up with my current agency and their immigration Attorney when the Previous agency ( One of the BAD Ones!- they even closed down! I waited 3+ years etc... but thats another sob story! ) I was with really messed up and I needed to reproduce everything within a deadline for New employer! My new agency& their immigration Atty really went the Extra mile for me so I didnt have to pay anything more out of pocket PLUS they got it done in 2 DAYS! because of their access into the CGFNS ( Accredited agency) system. My New agency got me up to this point ( Where i am just waiting for my visa bec. of retrogression) where my other agency kept on fumbling for 2 years with the initial filing! With results and service I get now- I trust my agency/ immig. Atty completely! Plus they Let me Study, review the contract for a week and they DID NOT WANT ME to SIGN Unless I was Totaly comfortable with the terms. They are just fair and very transparent! So yes -I trust them w/ my user name & password!

I guess it boils down to your relationship with your agency. If you trust them it wouldnt be an issue. If they are Demanding it-it sounds to me like the 'trust' and relationship may have been lost. I entrusted mine because they have always been Upfront and honest with me plus I have also been in contact with my immigration atty. and my recruiter and we work through issues together as a team not just for myself but for others in our group.

Well put Suzzane! All Please heed this advise and warning! Too many times Nurses go to "Cattle Call" recruitment events and are made ( Or should I say are 'manipulated') into singing Employment contracts ON THE SPOT!!! Unbeleivable!!! It is just as ,if Not more important than Buying a house- PUT INTO IT THE Time needed to understand the contract- talk to your spouse, significant other, your parents etc.- You are signing off 3-5 years of your career life (Inc. preparation,testing and immigration etc.) at the end of which you earn a Green Card and eventual US citizenship for you and your family!

Most importantly as Suzzane has advised! READ THE CONTRACT Before singing it! Any Good Employer/ Agency WILL ALWAYS Have you read the Contract and even take it home- to really study and understand it until you are comfortable with th terms. ALSO-You should always be Given a COPY! To Keep for future refference!

My understanding is the number of years the contract represents is your employers investment in you and in the process including all the filing fees, immigration Atty., recruitment costs etc. in getting you . In my opinion every good contract has an 'exit' or 'buy out' clause that gives you the opportunity to 'buy yourself out' and that is 'pro rated' accordingly. For example if your 'buy out clause was $15K for say 3 years & you worked 2 of the years and you opted to buy out the contract, the pro-rated fee you would have to pay your employer is $5K for that final year.

Amen! He is good all the time! Also have your freinds and relatives in the US call their respective Senators and Congressmen-even the White house to pass the CIR or come up with a "bridge" like they did in 2005 w/ the 50K visas! Keep the Faith!

One more thing you can do is to have Your Freinds and Relatives in the U.S. who beleive in 'your cause' call their respective Senators and Congressmen as well as call the Whitehouse to complete the CIR which is on the agenda for today! It is never too late! And this is also an important lesson for us on how Democracy in the US works (or vice versa? depending on where you sit?)

I confirmed with my immigration Atty. who has deployed over 1,500 RNs and other Allied Healthcare workers to the US: Suzzane and Jon are 100% right! YOU CANNOT USE THE H2B UNDER ANY OF THE AFFORMENTIONED CIRCUMCTANCES! Unfortunately too many people are looking for 'Shortcuts'- Pleaase, Please fellow Pinoys- Too many people have been 'taken' advantage off by scroupolous agencies and Attorneys! Likewise it is OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR FELLOW RNs -That they do not fall into these traps and heartaches!

Absolutely right Suzzane! I might add that if there are any 'questionable' or 'manipulative' practices from employers or agencies that you dont feel right about- You can & should file a complaint with the POEA! They work with Phil. labor attache in Washington DC and also in turn gets to US Embassy in Manila as it was explained to me by Atty. Grace of the POEA.

This is democracy at work! Messy but all sides have to be heard! The proposed CIR or initial versions are out on the Web. My Atty. did not want to show me or give me a copy bec. all these are the 'proposed' CIR. Anyone have a link or copy?

Check with the POEA Database. One way to check on the credibility of a recruitment agency in the Philippines is if they are registered with the Phil. Overseas Employment Administration ( www.poea.gov.ph ). They work with the Phil. Embassies in the countries that accept Filipino workers and theyre mandate is to protect Filipino workers from illiegal and usurious agencies/ employers. For US employment ( Even for immigrant visas, if you are petitioned by an "Employer -it falls under their jurisdiction ) they also check that the "Prevailing wage" in the geographic area of your assignment to make sure that what you should get paid is the same as an Equivalent US RN. The POEA has closed down some agencies and even Have arrested American HR recruiters for not complying with Philippine law. They are a Phil. Govt. agency (AND SO they are Not Perfect..is Any Govt. agency?) and I think they do what they can to protect the 'working class' in pursuit of opportunities.