RN in the Philippines but can't get a license in Texas, what to do?

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Hello everyone. I'm new in Texas and I don't know much people yet so I can only post my concern here.

I graduated my nursing degree in the Philippines way back 2006. Passed the NLE twice. I have only worked for 7 months in the hospital as a staff nurse in NICU. I stopped and worked as a clinical instructor for 6 months. After that, I have not practiced my nursing profession. I am now in Houston, Texas and I want to work as a nurse but according to the TX BON, I can't be licensed since I have not worked for 2 years and had not been working for more than 4 years as a nurse unless I will go back to school again.

Is anyone here has the same situation as me? I won't mind going back to school but it's going to take time and more money.

Can anyone here suggest what should I do?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

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You can always try another state, if you're willing to relocate.

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You can always try another state, if you're willing to relocate.

Thank you for your reply but is there no other way than relocating? It would be hard for me to relocate since my husband has his work in Houston :(

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What "other way" do you have in mind? The TX BON has already told you you are not eligible for TX licensure without repeating nursing school. Those are your choices -- repeat nursing school, or pursue licensure in another state that has different licensure requirements.TX is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so you could work in TX with a license from another "compact state," but, in order to get a license with "compact privileges" from another compact state, you'd have to be a permanent resident of that state.

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Hello wait I'm confused... I am also applying for NCLEX-RN in Texas, but I am in California now... I was in Houston about a month ago though. Anyways I am a graduate of batch 2013 and I was informed by TX BoN that I am not required to take the refresher course even though I do not have any experience after passing the NCLEX since I've just graduated otherwise for all others they may take the exam but will not be licensed till they complete FENS. So you may be eligible? I don't know..

Below is something I got from the TX BoN website.. I'm confused :(

  1. All international applicants must provide proof of working in nursing for a period totaling two (2) years (i.e. 24 months) at any time after graduation from a nursing program. If you have not worked at least two (2) years as a first level, general nurse within the four (4) years preceding the filing of the application, you will not be licensed until you complete a Foreign Educated Nurse (FENS) refresher course consisting of 120 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of clinical practice under direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. If you are required to take the FENS refresher, you will be given a six (6) month permit to complete the refresher course.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Nursing.

You are required to have a 6-months refresher course before being licensed. That doesn't mean they are telling you to go back to school and retake the whole BSN program again.

Look-up hospitals that offer refresher courses. There should be plenty in the Houston area.

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