acecareer

try calling PGH and ask to be connected to DNET. They have a 6-month training/volunteer program called APCN (Advancement Program in Clinical Nursing)

That is why I was saddened by all of the things that I've read here. I thought after passing all the exams, I will finally get to the US I appreciate all your feeddbacks, at least at this early stage, I can plan what to do while waiting for the retrogression. Thank you so much

Self-review worked for me. Most of the questions I encountered in NCLEX were not discussed when I was reviewing for NLE. In NCLEX, UNDERSTANDING is the key. If you know the disease process, you can explain the signs & symptoms, thus, the management. Knowing the diseases common in the US will be useful in answering NCLEX questions.

Try Philippine General Hospital (PGH), they have a program called APCN (Advancement Program in Clinical Nursing). It's 6 months of exposure in different wards, the last 2 months will be in the special area of your choice (ER, ICU, OR, Dialysis, etc.). Fee is Php 8,000

NCLEX is not as hard as most nurses thought IF YOU HAVE PREPARED ENOUGH. I did not go to any review center in prep for my NCLEX cause I learned my lesson. I once attended a review class in prep for NLE, and I got nothing more than what I learned from school. What I did was A LOT OF READING and used Saunders Comprehensive Review AS A GUIDE. I read the entire book and used our college textbooks (MS by Black, MCN by Pilliteri, Pedia by Wong) as reference whenever I cannot explain a certain disease process. I answered the questions at then end of each chapter, and assessed myself by answering the questions in the accompanying CD. I did that for 3 months in Starbucks, while nursing a broken heart. I finished my exam in 1 hour w/ 75 questions. The point is, NCLEX will ask you questions that an entry level nurse MUST know. All of these things are in the books. Lectures are of great help, but YOUR UNDERSTANDING of the concept will be the one to save you when faced with questions that requires CRITICAL THINKING. i KNOW

What do you mean by this? I'm asking coz an employment agency tried to recruit me under a working visa w/ a promise to process my papers in 6-8 months. She said that the contract lasts for 2-3 years. I'm not going to pay her while in here, but the placement fee will be deducted in my salary. Any warnings before I take the bait?

You have to pass the NCLEX first, then your IELTS. After you have passed the 2 exams, sign-upw/ an agency. Choose between immigrant visa, or working visa. The former takes longer time due to retrogression, the latter on the other hand takes only 6-8 months to process. While your US employment is being processed, get as much training as you can or hospital experience. Be warned, though, of illegal recruiters. I always tell my candidates to back-off as soon as their agent asked for cash. Most agencies have ZERO-cash out policy in deploying nurses to the U.S. Goodluck!

For training purposes, I suggest you try PGH's program called APCN (Advancement Program on Clinical Nursing). It costs around 8,000; lasts for 6 months: 1st 4 months you will be rotated in the MS, Pedia, & OB ward; last 2 months will be on the specialty ward of your choice. HOWEVER, I will suggest that you do this after you have PASSED the NCLEX, simply because it is too tiring, and the standard of care is way below normal. THE GOOD THING IS, US hospitals recognizes PGH as one of the best in the country. Training & experience from them will look good on your resume.

As a post-grad myself, I will recommend Our Lady of Fatima in Valenzuela, their trainings and exams are pretty intense. Dr. Carlos Lanting, on the other hand produced topnotchers in the 'second courser" category.

There are agencies here that offers working visa in the US. Is it really possible to convert these visas to immigrant visa when you get to the US?

It is a really good idea! BUT, they should limit that to those who graduated using the STATE funds. After all the government spent for their education, it's about time they pay back. It will NOT be fair for those of us who labored ourselves (or our parents/relatives) to death just to send us to school. This must not apply to Nursing or Medicine alone, but should be implemented to all profession.

New Mexico's Board of Nursing (BON) does not require local license, nor CGFNS. If you do pass the NCLEX, you may work in other states. HOWEVER, please check the BON rules of the state where you want to work regarding Licensure by Endorsement.

PS: also check Maryland & Washington's BON rules regarding Licensure by Endoresement.

The states of New Mexico, Vermont, and California does not require CGFNS certificate. If you want to sit for an NCLEX exam, try applying in the BONs of the states mentioned. HOWEVER, check their rules regarding Licensure by Endorsement or Reciprocity.

Is it possible to be hired or petitioned by a US hospital or employer without undergoing through a local employment agency?