luisacart

I have the same dilemma. The waiting lists in all the affordable schools here in Jacksonville, FL are too long. Some students wait 2-3 years so get into the nursing program. I am wrapping up my AA this summer and currently school shopping so I can start the RN program in the fall. The private colleges average tuition fee (those that I've gone too) for the RN program is b/n $30k-$40k. Even with financial aid and a stafford loan, I'm not gonna be able to pay that much. My parents suggested that I go back (been living in the US for 6 years now) to the Philippines to study Nursing. Ginger's Mom has a valid point though. If I go back to study in the Philippines, I want to make sure that when I return, I'm prepared to take the board exam, or moving there for a couple of years wouldn't have served its purpose. Are there any Filipino-American nurses here who had gone back to the Philippines to finish their degree there, and was perfectly fine when they came back? I suppose the passing rate would depend on which school you go to. How competitive are the "good" schools there? I would live in Baguio. Anyone know of any good schools in Benguet? ty in advance!

if you want to live in a cold place, try SLU or saint louis inversity in Baguio City, they have a 99% passing rate in the board exams.

hi! I had the same dilemma last year, i haven't finished going to school yet when we moved here. i wanted to go back to the phils and continue my study there. part of it is because i miss my friends and also bec. i miss my school. but after giving it some thought, i decided to stay here. one of the reasons that contributed to my decision is, 1.) we don't have an A.S. in the philippines, basically if I go to school here to get an A.S. it will just take me two years then I can work at a hospital. a friend of mine said since the US is in short supply of nurses, they pay the same salary a BSN graduate has to an ASN graduate. and also if i continue my studies here, i don't have to take as much test if i go to the phils to study. not to mention the fact, that if you only have an immigrant visa and you go to the phils and something happens like the 9/11 event while you're there, bec. of security reasons, you might have trouble getting back. or worst, if you lose you're greencard while you're abroad, you won't be able to go back ever. and even if you're already a citizen, you'll have to return here at least ever 2 years w/c can be pretty expensive. so if your family lives in the states and you want to stay in the philippines, it will be more expensive, bec. of your lodging expenses. whereas if you study in the states, it's easy to get a loan for school, and you can also support yourself by getting a part time job while you're at school. it would be better if you find a job that has tution reimbursement. if you haven't been here for at least 2 years, just give it some time, and you'll get used to it.

Hi, I live in Jacksonville, FL. I have an aunt who works @ Baptist Hosp as a nurse, and a friend who is also a nurse and wants to work @ Baptist Hosp. Although, I am still a student nurse, I can show you around here, and I just got here last year so I'm still looking for friends! I can take you to the movies, the malls, the filipino restaurants etc. and just show you around. But beware, Jacksonville is soo big, I still get lost a lot sometimes. hehe.. I'm also near downtown and knows how to go to Baptist Hosp. from home. Hope to hear from you soon.