banchan

@ rani.andaya You need the crucial document if you want to facilitate the processing time of your papers. They may accept your documents but you may not be included in the next batch or may wait up to 1 year.

Currently, the IELTS Guru in the Philippines, is promoting the Australia-AHPRA option to his enrollees/Filipino nurses as a key to get out of the rat race. There will be a seminar regarding nursing oppurtunites in Australia on March 3, 2011 @ 4-6pm in 9ner Quezon Avenue branch. I just hope that they will disclose to the attendees in the forum that they need to shed at least half a million pesos to cover up for the expenses for eligibility application, visa processing and tuition fee for the bridging program. Also, I wish that they will mention to those who will attend that employment oppurtunities in Australia right now, especially for those who have zero/training experience are very slim. It's like finding a needle in a stack of hay. Also, it will take lots of time and patience. Just waiting for your eligibility letter from AHPRA will take months. Also, they must not forget to mention that going to Australia and working there to get a PR visa so that they can bring their family with them is not that easy anymore. They must check with the Australian Immigration (I just forgot the name of the institution). After reading previous posts in this thread, I learned that changes have been made and they are now being strict with the requirements for skilled professionals to obtain PR visa. It boils down to this: 1. Is Au RN license possible for Filipino RN to achieve? ANSWER: YES. Provided that you comply with AHPRA's requirements and you have LOTS OF MONEY/FINANCIAL SUPPORT to start everything until you finished your Bridging Program. 2. Is employment possible after obtaining my Au RN license? ANSWER: It depends on your experience and the state where you want to practice. e.g. Queensland employment oppotunities right now is very low. If you have zero/training exprerience only, chances of being accepted in hospitals are very very low because they still prefer to hire those with experience. You can still get a job from homecare institutions but the salary is not that high compared to working in hospitals.

@apoplexy My cousin is the one arranging my visa. He has already started processing my papers. As to your question of the possibility of having a different person file for an application for DOH exam for someone who is not in Dubai, I'm not sure. I will be the one filing for it when I get there. I am quite anxious about the exam. So I see that it is a panel interview. I have experienced a panel interview before (composed of 5 panelists) when I apply in a tertiary hospital here in the Phil. With God's help, I was able to passed. I just don't know what will happen to me there... huhu... I am thinking of taking the HAAD exam here in Makati as a failsafe plan if ever I won't be able to passed the DOH exam. Do you think it is necesssary? Or should I wait for my DOH exam result in Dubai? I am quite pessimistic. I really am. (what a disaster!) My cousin said that I will be leaving by mid April this year. You say that you will also go there by April? God bless to both of us!

@ Lorelle Hi! We're in the same boat. I'll be going there in Dubai this April as a tourist and will take the DOH exam there. I have a relative that is working in a hospital and he's the one arranging my visa and booking my flight. The only thing that I need to do is to pass the DOH exam and I also don't have any idea as to what kind of exam is that. I heard that it is some kind of an oral/panel interivew. When will you go to Dubai? I am also contemplating to take HAAD exam here in the Phil. just in case if I won't be able to pass the DOH exam, I can transfer to Abu Dhabi. Hope someone who has taken and has already passed the DOH exam share their experience...

@ pangarapnanatupad How did you bypassed the 2 year work experience requirement? Are you still assigned in the PHC? Well your story is quite scary for me! Haha! Not knowing were you will be assigned (hospital and ward assignment) for 5 days? Haha I'm starting to feel a bit of security to the agency I was referring in my previous post. The only difference is the salry. SR 3100 is a lot better thant SR 2250. Now I understand that even if you were hired by MOH, there is no assurance that you will get your salary on time. Some even wait upto 6 months before they were able to get their previous month's salary. Also, you there is also no guarantee of knowing your hospital area and ward assignment. I can't imagine that they are sending new hired applicants in PHC. It's MOH so I assume that they will place you in a hospital...

Whoah. Thanks Lyfer for that very detailed, concerned and honest reply. I already disregarded their offer. I just don't know for the other applicants and there are hundreds of us. I wish I could PM you the name of the agency and the hospital but I see that your posts haven't yet reached 15 so I'll just wait hehe.. Housing and transportation are free. If the hospital is quite far from the place of our residence, they will provide a shuttle for us to and from the workplace. As for the electiricty, appliance and water supply, I don't know if that is included for free or if we will be the ones shouldering it. With regard to your reply, not having your salary up to 6 months is also possible even if your under SRO-MOH right? It boils down as to how fast your iqama or work permit will be issued? Who will apply for iqama? You or MOH will process it for you? Our salaries are negotiable based on our specialization. Dialysis, ER and OR nurses are offered with higher salary. As for us general nurses without specialization, they only offer us SR 2250-2300 and the SR 200 for food allowance is already included there. So if they offer you SR 2300, that means that your actual salary is only SR 2100 because the other SR 200 is your food allowance. One thing about this agency and why they are patronized by many is their ability to adjust your work experience. Meaning, they will make a new COE for me and for all of us who applied. I knew people who had their papers processed in this agency and they are now working in Saudi. This agency is true and they are all working in a JCI accredited private hospitals and not in clinics. But the salary is quite low... Before I forget, the processing fee is 18k+ it includes the mediccal fee of PHP 3920, authentication of documents in the embassy, visa stamping, etc. But this can be paid by installment. For the placement fee, it is equivalent to your 1 month salary and the mode of payment is by salary deduction. Hence, your first monthly wage will go to the agency. I went to the agency for interview at exactly 11am and I was interviewed at 7pm! Just imagine how long that was! So I had a chance to have some chit chat with my fellow applicants. I cannot blame those who are applying. I was also enticed by the agency's offer. Some are even graduates and board passers of 2007 that up until present has no paid work experience but only volunteer or clinic work. Some are company nurses and medical representatives. There is this girl who even came from Pangasinan just to get a slot from this agency. Some are from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Laguna and Bicol. With the current situation of nurses here in our country, they don't mind even if they are offered with this work conditions. They even told me that: "Even if we are offered with low salary, we cannot complain because we don't have paid hospital experience. We are even grateful that they are considering us unlike in this country wherein you will be exploited by volunteering with a FEE. We are not getting any younger and some of us have children to feed. We will rather work abroad with low salary than do volunteer work in a hospital with no guarantee of being absorbed."

Hi to everyone. I just finished a job interview bound to Saudi last week (this is from a private agency and not from SRO) but I am not convinced with the offer. I just want to ask those who were offered by SRO if the conditons they offer you is the same as those with this private agency. These are the conditions that they gave us: 1. You will only know the branch/place of the hospital you will be assigned to when you get there in Saudi (e.g. Dammam, Al-khobar, Jeddah, etc.) 2. You won't be able to get your salary for 2-3 months. You will only be given a SR 200 food allowance but in the 3rd or 4th month, you will be able to get your your full salary from the previous months. 3. Three years contract but you will be able to go home every 18th month and you will have a 25 days paid vacation. Is this also the same with SRO? Especially about the first two conditions? Not knowing were you will be assigned and not being able to get your salary for the first 2-3 months? I asked them why the employer needs to hold our salary. They just told me that it is some kind of a "bond" and I don't quite get what that means. Does this mean that they want to be sure that we will be able to continue on with our contract so they are testing us for 2-3 months by not giving our salary? To those successful SRO candidates, please shed light regarding this. Thanks a lot in advance.

That is my point. If your certificate was not even considered in your own country, what more if you want to go abroad? Isn't it ironic that when the issue of "Volunteerism for a Fee" started spreading like wildfire in the news for over a week, they started again this kind of program? Do the authorities involved and responsible think that RN HEALS can augment this conundrum? I don't think so.

Hi to everyone. I don't want to be a party pooper but I think there are some drawbacks to this program. RN Heals is similar to DOH's NARS Program. You will not be employed in a hospital setting here but will be in the community, barangay or health centers. RN Heals program is launched in partnership with DSWD and the LGUs of the participating municipalites/provinces. If you are a newly registered nurse and wants to hone your skills or apply the theories you learned from academic preparation to a clinical setting, then I suggest that you opt for a volunteer position in a hospital. Just make sure that it is for free. But, if community nursing is your passion then I suggest that you push thru. Also, as what I 've heard from those who participated in the NARS program, the salary is always delayed. I've worked as a staff nurse in a government hospital before so I know that when they mean delayed, it is really DELAYED. My contract ended in the month of March but I got my salary for that month in May. Again, if you like community nursing or you are just waiting for an application for a nursing position locally or abroad and is just killing time or someone who really needs an income as of the moment, RN Heals may not be a bad idea. Remember that if you are bound to work abroad (which most of us are), COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING is NOT considered as an experience because employers still prefer hospital experience.

Hi everyone. I am interested to be a nurse-paramedic but I am a female. Whenever I am looking at job postings abroad for EMTs, the always require males. To those graduated from LSTI, how many are you in a batch? Can you give me the ratio of male and female enrollees? Do you have any news from your female batchmates if they have found a job locally or abroad? I am contemplating whether to take an EMT or DIALYSIS course since the fee is almost the same. About the chance of being employed here locally for experience whether as an EMT or DIALYSIS nurse for experience, which do you think weighs more? I heard that dialysis centers/clinics here are now full; I just dont know for EMTs. Thanks a lot in advance.

@nurseleeia I'm guessing that you are from the Philippines. If yes, have you checked with POEA if this agency is licensed with them and if they have approved job orders? Also, check with the UAE embassy as to what is the actual cost of the visa if it is for employment. It is quite expensive for me. 65k? Check www.workabroad.ph they have lots of job opening for nurses there in UAE. You might want to try going to some of the agencies and require about their recruitment procedure and application fees. Compare it with your agency and then you decide.

Wow! welcome back cioman94! Just want to ask how was your stay there? Were are you in Australia? How was the job, living expenses, etc. Mind sharing the work and living experience there? Thanks a lot!

@ dodoy Thanks. I also don't want to quit but its a race against time. Hopefully, all of us will be able to find a secured job within a workplace that fosters harmony among its staff...

Oops! Not entirely in English. Only those words that poses technical difficulties for foregin examinees are to be translated. Please read the article in this link: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/201301/japan-nursing-exam-wont-be-in-english-poea Hopefully this will increase the passing rate of foreign nurses.

Hi! As fas as I know, for the 2 batches, only ONE Filipino has passed the Japanese Nurses Licensure Exams. Check this site for more info: http://nursingcrib.com/rn-success-stories/the-only-filipino-nurse-to-pass-japans-nursing-exam/ I don't know what happened to those who failed the test but based on the infos I have read, you can take their exam up to 3 times for RNs. I also want to try this but I lack the experience. Also, being in Japan is a nice experience for me. I love the country's culture and people. :)

I can relate to the OP and I'm pretty sure that hundreds of thousands of Filipino RNs who fell in the bandwagon feLT the same. Like you, nursing was not my first choice. Also, democracy rules in our family. My parents never forced any course for us to take. Whatever our decision was, they are very supportive. So, it was my decision to take up nursing and it is a SAD FACT that I am beginning to REGRET. I cannot blame anyone but myself and maybe, the situation. (if this is acceptable) I already have my slot in UST to take up a double degree course in Educ. and Social Studies but I withdrew my credentials. Back then, I was afraid that I won't be able to find a job with my course since the demand is very low. On the other hand, news of nurses earning thousands of dollars in other countries are very tempting. I never knew that my plan of earning a lot and retiring early from a nursing career (after being financially stable) will backfire. But it did. I've been registered for 2 yrs. now and still unemployed and almost 80% from our batch are on the same boat not to mention that all of us graduated from a reputable nursing school. I have worked as a casual and volunteered. When I am working in the hospital, being able to help someone at the end of the day is really rewarding BUT sometimes and most of the time, this feeling is being overpowered by stress not from the work itself but from the working environment. I can handle 10 patients or even assign me to 1 ward but I cannot work with a colleague who is a kiss ass, back stabber, lazy, blabber mouth, etc. For those who have worked here I know you can relate. Most of all, I cannot tolerate favoritism and EXPLOITATION. I experienced a lot from 3 hospitals that I have worked with and I am starting to burn out. I really want to pursue my chosen career but it is tool late for me. My parents are not getting any younger and I don't want to burden them again of sending me to school. Also, whenever I thought of the money and expenses that they have spend for my nursing education, a big NO always pop in my mind. But I am trapped in the rat race. You know how we all want to have a a paid job as a registered nurse but with the current situation, we don't know how.

Hi rozyxx! This poses a problem for me. In my COE, it doesn't state there that I am a STAFF NURSE but NURSE I (casual). Is this acceptable? Also, I only have 1 signatory and that is the HR Department Head. The person here is the sole signatory for all the COE of employees employed in Rizal Provincial Government. I tried getting a COE from the hospital were I previously worked before but they told me to go directly to the provincial capitol as they don't have the power to issue a COE since the one who employed us is the provincial government itself. Do you think they will consider my case? I just got my COE today and am planning to have it authenticated. Please reply. Thanks in advance!

Hi superborj! Just want to ask if you already have working experience here in the Philippines? I also applied in NZ but the council suggested that I need to have at least 2 years of paid work experience in a hospital because CAP schools in NZ woulsd not allow me to undergo their assessment program if I do not have the said experience. Is this true? Thanks a lot in advance.

Okay time for the second part... NOTE: I am from BATCH 1 of Project RMC. What I am telling is based on what I have experienced. I don't know if the Nursing Service have changed or has plans of changing their training program. This is for those wanting to have an idea of what's in store for them. Hence, I am painting the picture. II. Orientation UNIFORM: They have the prescribed uniform for trainees. Once you received a call/text from them that you are included in their training, you will be asked to come in the office and they will give you a sheet of paper with the sketch of their prescribed uniform. For males, no problem. EXCEPT that you are required to tuck in your polo. BUT males from our batch protested that it is very uncomfortable so they decided to allow the males not to tuck it in anymore. YOU SHOULD THANKS US GUYS FOR THAT! :yelclap:. FEMALE UNIFORM: This is REALLY IRRITATING and VERY IMPRACTICAL. You will wear a Chinese collared zipped bloused with belt and a PENCIL/ A-LINE SKIRT!! The reaction of my co-trainees when they saw the sketch is like this-----> Come on! They know our work in the hospital! Can you really move freely wearing that uniform? I can only think of one good advantage of wearing that----> NO CPR for girls. How can you possibly do that while wearing a skirt?? SERIOUSLY speaking, the girls are being mistaken as STUDENT NURSES by the staff (since we are BATCH 1), doctors and patients! Okay. The orientation is for 2 WEEKS. Monday-Friday 7am-4pm. This is a MAJOR WASTE OF TIME. For those painstaking 2 WEEKS, they will discuss the ff: First Week: >Vision/Mission >Organizational Chart >Hospital Values, Nursing Values >History of RMC Imagine listening to that for 8 hours/week for 5 days! Well, not totally 8 because those 8 hours were not really utilized. We will arrive there at 7am and the training officer will come at around 7:30am just to tell us to have our breakfast first and lectures will resume at 8:30 but in reality, it will start at 9am. Then, we will have an early lunch at 11am then will come back at 1pm. Again, dilly dallying continues so lecture will resume at around 1:30pm followed by a short break before 3pm then we will go home at 4pm. TOTAL WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. 2ND WEEK OF ORIENTATION: >They let the hospital staff from different dept. meet us and gave us an idea as to what/how they function including the dietary, CSR, admin, laundry, etc. aside from the unit manager of different wards. > Few nursing procedures > Parts of the chart > Hospital tour As I say, this 2 week orientation can be done in ONE DAY. I further reiterate that I have been to 2 government institutions already and their orientation is so different compared to the TRAINING OFFICERS of RMC in TERMS OF PRACTICALITY. They do not prioritize the things of utmost importance such as: > Admission > Transfer > Discharge > What to do when there is a code (this is extremely important) In the other hospitals I've worked/trained before, during the orientation there is even a simulation of the actual situation so that when we are deployed in the ward, we know what to do. Also, common diseases are EXTENSIVELY discussed so that we know what to do when s/sx of that disease appears. I am not saying that Training Officers from the Nursing Service are incompetent. What I am saying is that they SHOULD REVIEW the orientation in their training program. Know how to prioritize what is needed to be learned.

Hi! As I was reading your post, I have this urge to apply also. Can someone please walk me through SRO application? I have 0% idea as to how to begin application. Were is it located? What are the requirements needed? Do I need to have my credentials certified/red ribboned by DFA by the time I submit my requirements to them? Do I need to be e-registered in POEA before I apply in SRO? Thanks in advance for those who will reply.

Haha! I was surpised to know that there is a thread for Rizal Medical Center!! You should rename this thread, PROJECT RMC hehe.. Anyway, just want to share. I am from BATCH 1 of Project RMC. Me and danjoe_03 both have applied, udergone and finished our training. (you can read danjoe_03's comment at the early/previous page of this thread. ) DISCLAIMER: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE DISHEARTENED, I SUGGEST YOU TO STOP READING THIS POST. BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO VOLUNTEER AND DOESN'T CARE ABOUT STRESS/EXPLOITATION, THEN READ ON. REMEMBER: YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Let me divide my story in 4 parts: I. Application process (including interview and screening) II. Orientation III. Exposure IV. Evaluation of over-all training Okay.. here it goes: I. APPLICATION PROCESS Before I applied in RMC, I already have experience both as staff and volunteer nurse so this will be my 3rd hospital already. My training in my previous hospitals have been extensive but fruitful. Both were government hospitals and I was really trained. So why accept another 6 months of tranning? Just like you, I want to have a regular position. Let me share this, all the requirements as a volunteer/staff nurse being posted in doors or bulletin boards are the "usual" requirements. The "crucial" document is your ENDORSEMENT LETTER FROM YOUR BACKER. ALL OF US IN BATCH 1,2,3 (Yep! We were able to meet batch 3) HAVE BACKERS. e.g. ASSISTANT CHIEF NURSE, UNIT MANAGER, DOCTOR, MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GOV. OFFICIAL, etc. So, the question is, do you have the "crucial" requirement? If none, then I suggest you try applying in other hospitals than wait in vain. I only waited for 2 weeks after I passed my requirements then I received a txt message that I was scheduled for interview. Hehe. ONLY 2 WEEKS. See? Because I have the "crucial" document. The interview is not that hard for me. It is actually a PANEL INTERVIEW composed of UNIT MANAGERS and TRAINING OFFICERS from the nursing Service. I have 5 PANELISTS that time. Usually there is one who will read your CV and then, the question will start from there. Everyone will asked you based on your area of expertise and then another question based on their expertise. E.g. if the OR UNIT MANAGER asked you, expect questions from OR/SURGERY. It wasn't that hard for me since I have experience but when the NICU manager asked me, she told me to discuss the whole NEWBORN CARE procedure!! Haha!! The last time I entered the DR was when I was still in my 3rd yr so I wasn't able to answer her questions clearly. But over-all, I did well. ANOTHER TIP: They will ask you about your talent so if you don't want to sing/dance then I suggest you give a safe answer e.g. I am a swimmer . After the interview, you will write their exam. The exam is not that hard but it is not so easy either. I remember that you will have a sample charting based on the situation given on the exam aside from multiple type questions that mostly are from DR/NICU/OR. So there. This is getting too long for everyone to read. I will continue the next step in another post. ANOTHER TIP: If you are scheduled for their interview please have your breakfast. Because after the interview you will not be given any break before writing their exam. And believe me, the interview is really exhausting. ANOTHER TIP: If you do not have any volunteer/work experience, BE HONEST. TELL THEM sothat they will based their questions on your student nurse experience. LAST TIP: Come on time. Wear formal/corporate attire.

hi dubaiers! just want to ask what happened to your application for jpepa? are you already there in japan? how did it go? i'm planning to go there as well so i'm hoping you could give me some advice. thanks a lot.

Thanks Abhylicious, Salmonella, ceridwyn and to all those who share their opinions and processing timeframes..

Hi Abhy! Thanks for sharing. Three months.. well that is fair enough considering the long waiting time of application in other countries e.g. Canada hehe. May I ask for how long is the validity of your eligibility letter? 2 years? If ever, that does mean that you must be enrolled in a BP program before that letter expires? How about your IELTS? For example your IELTS has expired already but your offer letter is still valid, will the BP schools still require you to have another IELTS? Another situation: After finishing your BP and your IELTS has expired already, will AHPRA still require you to retake prior to registration? Sorry for asking too much. But I do appreciate if you reply. God bless in your interviews and BP school hunting! =)

Congrats Salmonella!!! May I know for how many weeks/months did you wait for your eligibility letter? Perhaps, a time frame to share for everyone? Thanks.