Second courser needs help

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Hi i'm new here. I'd appreciate any advice/suggestions you can give me, i'm in a real bind here. Here's my situation

I graduated from college last march 2007. For various reasons, I decided that i would re-enroll as a second courser in nursing for the school year 2008-2009. Last May, i planned ahead and had my transcript evaluated at the same university that i had graduated from previously. The dean of nursing told me that because i had already done almost all the minor subjects, it would take only 3 years for me to graduate and that I would start off the next school year as a Second year student. I also asked her and the admissions office if there was going to be another year added in the college of nursing for the next school year and they no. So I took what she said as reassurance and went off to make the most of the degree that i have.

After awhile I realized it would be much better if I enrolled for the second semester of 2007 instead of the first semester of 2008. So i revisit the dean earlier this month (august) and then she drops the bomb. Apparently CHED has released a new curriculum that is effective sy 2008 onward that, although not yet finalized, is "as good as implemented." This new curriculum not only sets me back another year (making it take another 4 years for me to graduate again)but because of one subject that's only available in the first semester, sends me back to start at First Year instead of Second along with more than 12 new units and hundreds of more hours.

Does anyone know if this new curriculum will really be implemented for the next school year? Has it been officially announced?

Are there any schools in manila/davao at all that will allow me to graduate with a BSN in 3 years or below starting 2008?

Will there be any "second courser friendly" schools left after 2007?

please any advice will be useful. I'm in a tough situation right now for personal reasons and this new curriculum, if it effectively sets me back one more year, could ruin everything for me. Any help will be greatly appreciated...thanks

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Specializes in Oncology, Medical.

I'll be the first one to tell you not to pursue it unless you are 100% sure (mentally, physically, desirability, psychologically, financially) that you really love nursing. With the thousands of nursing students now enrolled, limited hospitals to apply, visa retrogression going on, poor education, rampant cheating in schools, longer time to finish, very dear tuition fees, and especially if you are not sure if you desire nursing, I would really not go into nursing. Knowing that this will be your second course, I assume you have underlying reasons why you would like to take it. Please rethink over and over. There might be other ways or plans to answer your desires and plans in life. I may sound harsh but the final decision is yours. I am just giving you the up to date scenario of nursing here in PI.

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I agree 100% with the poster above. What are your reasons for wanting to go into nursing at this time? If because it will get you to the US and get you a green card, please reconsider your plans.

Right now, there are more than a half million enrolled in nursing programs in your country. Where are they going to find jobs? Not in your country, and not in many others either. The number that are granted green cards in the US per year from your country, is going to make it almost impossible for many to realize their dream in a certain time frame. There is a retrogression in place, and expect it to remain for sometime in the future. And it is only going to get worse with the increases in students per year in your country.

And mandatory hours in courses there are increasing because of issues over the past year or two with graduates from there. And I am glad to see it happening. But please be sure that you are going into this with your eyes wide open and aware that you may not be able to work in another country for sometime after you graduate. Getting a nursing degree from there is not going to be an instant ticket out to anywhere.

Expect to also see a mandatory requirement of one or two years of service there by the time that you graduate. Going back to the type of training that PI was known for in the past, not for the training that we are seeing now.

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Thank you for your replies, i really appreciate it and respect your opinions.

My reason for deciding to take up nursing as a second course is not at all because I want to get into the US or get a green card. I am already a naturalized american citizen. I'm living and studying in the philippines because of personal problems and financial reasons.

I've actually been giving alot of thought to taking up nursing for about two years now. In fact, I almost shifted to nursing during my third year in college but decided not to for fear of dissappointing my parents by having to start over again. So I made a plan to graduate first, work a year after graduation to save up money so i wouldnt have to rely on my parents to pay years more of college tuition and then take up nursing, hence my inability to enroll at the first semester, because i was looking for a decent paying job.

A more silly reason is because I come from a family of nurses and doctors, so i think it's in my blood. They've always wanted me to become a nurse but it wasn't until i saw my sister working at a hospital that i actually realized i wanted to become one too and this time I am sure of it.

All in all, and i hope i don't sound too cheesy, but I simply want to provide a better future for my family and myself.

any further help or suggestions you can offer?

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Specializes in ER, Telemetry, Transport Nursing.

please make sure of your course in life. the idea is not only for your improvement in status or to have a better life but also for you to be happy in what you are doing. if you are happy in your profession, you will always excel in whatever you do and wherever you go. no matter what profession.

nursing is a calling. nursing is demanding (mentally and physically). it is not a good bedmate for middle age persons. before you know it

its hard to get out of bed or bend down (and you will always be doing that).

you've got to be mentally sharp.

look at the meds and know what the doctors are prescribing. (why is the doctor prescribing paxil and paroxitene...don't these doctors know that they are one and the same drug!)

or asking the doctor why your patient, who is going for a liver biopsy tomorrow, was it never even considered stopping the patient's heparin drip (who was found to have a blood clot in the right leg secondary to a fall and fracture because he has been drinking - patient is an alcoholic).

or questioning the doctor's action if the patient has hepatic encephalopathy secondary to liver cirrhosis and the patient is complaining of a headache. the patient is seeking a painkiller for his headache and doctor is prescribing tylenol or percocet.

because if you don't intervene, thats your license right there!

your memory should snap to it when you need it. like whats the basic als algorhythm now that you just saw your patient lose consciousness and telemetry frantically says she is in vfib. what do you do now?

at the age of 45, do you see yourself lifting and turning a 400 pound patient every 2 hours for 12 hours of your shift so she does not get a bedsore? how about starting compressions and pushing the crash cart around?

just my 2 cents argument.

c

i agree 100% with the poster above. what are your reasons for wanting to go into nursing at this time? if because it will get you to the us and get you a green card, please reconsider your plans.

right now, there are more than a half million enrolled in nursing programs in your country. where are they going to find jobs? not in your country, and not in many others either. the number that are granted green cards in the us per year from your country, is going to make it almost impossible for many to realize their dream in a certain time frame. there is a retrogression in place, and expect it to remain for sometime in the future. and it is only going to get worse with the increases in students per year in your country.

and mandatory hours in courses there are increasing because of issues over the past year or two with graduates from there. and i am glad to see it happening. but please be sure that you are going into this with your eyes wide open and aware that you may not be able to work in another country for sometime after you graduate. getting a nursing degree from there is not going to be an instant ticket out to anywhere.

expect to also see a mandatory requirement of one or two years of service there by the time that you graduate. going back to the type of training that pi was known for in the past, not for the training that we are seeing now.

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Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
thank you for your replies, i really appreciate it and respect your opinions.

my reason for deciding to take up nursing as a second course is not at all because i want to get into the us or get a green card. i am already a naturalized american citizen. i'm living and studying in the philippines because of personal problems and financial reasons.

i've actually been giving alot of thought to taking up nursing for about two years now. in fact, i almost shifted to nursing during my third year in college but decided not to for fear of dissappointing my parents by having to start over again. so i made a plan to graduate first, work a year after graduation to save up money so i wouldnt have to rely on my parents to pay years more of college tuition and then take up nursing, hence my inability to enroll at the first semester, because i was looking for a decent paying job.

a more silly reason is because i come from a family of nurses and doctors, so i think it's in my blood. they've always wanted me to become a nurse but it wasn't until i saw my sister working at a hospital that i actually realized i wanted to become one too and this time i am sure of it.

all in all, and i hope i don't sound too cheesy, but i simply want to provide a better future for my family and myself.

any further help or suggestions you can offer?

i am an american citizen myself. took me 12 years....thats twelve years of my life waiting and deciding wether to pursue my last 2 semester left in nsg school in the philippines. we migrated in 1992, i was 2 semester shy away from graduation. i worked 2-3 different jobs here before finally deciding the money i earn is not enough to cover my bills. so i went home, back in pi and pursue my nursing. i ended up staying there for 3 semesters...to me that was the best decision i ever made. now life is much much comfortable, specially in my pocket. but, you really have to think twice if you are going to study there. i am seeing change in requirements, rules for new grads coming from foreign countries. even if we are american citizens, maybe, maybe the hiring requirements for us hospitals are different. but hey, why not study here in the us instead? you can be a nurse in two years. ( adn instead of bsn). being a nurse is hard, honestly, and sometimes, in the middle of crisis at work? i ask myself, " why me, why, why, why? why did i choose this job". you know, i still don't know what is the answer. honestly, it's your call.if you need more advise, we are here. i am not sure if this helps? but that's my take.

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Thank you for your replies, i really appreciate it and respect your opinions.

My reason for deciding to take up nursing as a second course is not at all because I want to get into the US or get a green card. I am already a naturalized american citizen. I'm living and studying in the philippines because of personal problems and financial reasons.

I've actually been giving alot of thought to taking up nursing for about two years now. In fact, I almost shifted to nursing during my third year in college but decided not to for fear of dissappointing my parents by having to start over again. So I made a plan to graduate first, work a year after graduation to save up money so i wouldnt have to rely on my parents to pay years more of college tuition and then take up nursing, hence my inability to enroll at the first semester, because i was looking for a decent paying job.

A more silly reason is because I come from a family of nurses and doctors, so i think it's in my blood. They've always wanted me to become a nurse but it wasn't until i saw my sister working at a hospital that i actually realized i wanted to become one too and this time I am sure of it.

All in all, and i hope i don't sound too cheesy, but I simply want to provide a better future for my family and myself.

any further help or suggestions you can offer?

You are looking at about four years before you will be done and working in the US. The next issue is finding a job, and it is not going to be easy. At the moment it is not easy, due to issues that have been happening with grads from there, many hospitals are shying away from graduates until they see a significant change.

If you are already a naturalized citizen here, then suggest that you consider attending school in the US since you are able to. You can also work here while in school and get money coming in. And you could be working as an RN quicker that way. They are making changes to the programs now in the Philippines, but not sure that it will make changes to the training in time to make a difference. If asking for my opinion, definitely consider attending in the US. And we have programs where you can attend for only about 14 months or so if you have the pre-reqs done. Makes no sense to have to attend for another four years and only get another Bachelor's degree. That part makes no sense at all to me.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Med-Tele/SDU/ED.
i simply want to provide a better future for my family and myself.

this is a valid enough reason for me.

reach for your dreams.

good luck in your studies, and i look forward to working with you in the near future.

:)

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hey guys new user here.. you see i'm a naturalized american citizen studying nursing in the philippines. my concern is, after graduation will i still have to take the board exam here in the philippines even if i want to work in the states?or can i just go back to the states after graduation and apply for a job without taking the board here?if you guys know anything your feedback would be great..tnx..

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Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
hey guys new user here.. you see i'm a naturalized american citizen studying nursing in the philippines. my concern is, after graduation will i still have to take the board exam here in the philippines even if i want to work in the states?or can i just go back to the states after graduation and apply for a job without taking the board here?if you guys know anything your feedback would be great..tnx..

any non filipino citizens are not allowed to take the local board exam. if you check the requirements for nle, you are exempted. unless if you are dual citizen. if you apply for licensure in the us, depending on which state, you still need to comply just like any other foreign grads. every states have different licensure requirements, again, depending on which state you are going to apply. jobwise, since you are a foreign grad, you might want to start in a slower pace....then get your foot on the door. i am an american citizen myself, and didn't take the nle.

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Thanks! uhm, what kind of requirments are usually required?:)

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I responded to your thread on the very same topic. Please look for the answer there. Even as a naturalized citizen in the US, that is for immigration purposes, for licensure you are always going to be considered a foreign nurse for whereever you wish to get licensed and work. You are always going to have to follow the extra procedures that are required.

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