There are many of you that wish to come to the US. That we can all agree on. But the fashion that some of you are doing it in; is quite frightening. And I should say, intolerable.
1. When you sign a letter of intent, it is the same as signing the contract. It is an agreement, and you agree to abide by it.
2. Do not accept an offer, if you are just planning to continue shopping for something better. You have then taken away a position for someone else that may have wanted it. At least until you have officially declined it.
3. Some of you are coming to the US with the idea of buying your contract out right away. Don't do it. If you do not like the contract, do not sign it.
4. Contracts are legally binding. Unless the agency or facility were terrible or did not have work for you, just to back out because you got a better offer is just not acceptable. Adn you have to have just reasons for a contract to be cancelled, not just because you found something better, but real reasons.
5. There are actually hospitals that will not petition for Filipinos right now, because of contract cancelling, etc. And this is right in California.
6. No one is going to buy you out of your contract for $20,000, so please get that idea our of your head. just more empty promises that someone is making.
7. If you decide to try and be sneaky about things, it will only come back to bite you, and you will find issues of even being able to keep your job. And remember that if you get fired, you will be responsible for paying out the cancellation clause of your contract. No way around that.
Sorry to have to be so candid, but I am seeing more of this everyday, and I am not happy with it.
Suzanne, do not apologise for being blunt. You are right to say these things. As a foreign nurse myself coming to the US, I agree with all you have said. There is absolutely no reason or excuse for anyone to try to 'cut corners' to get to the US. You know my story and I am living proof that foreign nurses can come to the US with a contract which both parties (nurse and employer) are happy with. It is a major life-changing decision, and to "use" a petitioner as a "ticket" just to get a foot on US soil is foolhardy to say the least. I think I can read between the lines what you are saying, there is another nursing forum (you know the one ) where some foreign nurses blatantly admit to abusing the system and then become quite aggressive when their motives are challenged. I have to say though, I believe my fellow UK nurses follow correct procedures and act with integrity and courtesy, and for that we appear to be received with respect and friendship by our US counterparts. Thank you Suzanne for all you do to help us :icon_hug:
Let's all be careful in zeroing in on Filipinos involved such unethical practice. The Brits and Thais are not guilt-free on this. Not only in nursing but in other fields as well. We ought to stick to making reminders on international nurses in general and not focusing on one nationality. Thanks.
I honestly don't think Letina has any intention of "zeroing on Filipinos" or being "racist". Let's not be over-sensitive on this issue. Let's take it in stride. I think she is just saying it for what it really is and for what is happening in reality.
We will be working in US soon (hopefully) and we should be prepared to get along with people of different cultural background. Some people from diff. cultures are frank and candid and we shouldn't take it personally.
Well, I've seen four or five contracts being offered here in the Philippines.....in my own opinion, not one is worthy of being signed for one single reason - all of them are "one-sided" in favor of the agency. Specific clause that puts Filipino Nurses into a bad position is the one that says you have to pay certain amount of money (up to 30K US$) to withdraw from the contract.
I have not seen a clause that allows the nurse to withdraw from the contract if the agency is not helping him/her at all in processing his/her papers.
I have not seen a clause that automatically makes the contract "expired" once the nurse is not able to pass NCLEX or CGFNS and Englist Test(s) in two years period. This clause is favorable to both parties.
Contracts are a two way street, and if a contract is not being lived up to by the employer, then there are ground sfor terminating that contract. Or make sure that there is a timne frame in the cintract.
But to sign as contract, and agree to one, especially when it is direct hire by a facility and at an excellent wage, because you are going to look around some more, is just not accpetable. The nurse must take responsibility for their actions and complete what they agreed to do.
Let's all be careful in zeroing in on Filipinos involved such unethical practice. The Brits and Thais are not guilt-free on this. Not only in nursing but in other fields as well. We ought to stick to making reminders on international nurses in general and not focusing on one nationality. Thanks.
And I will continue to be very blunt about this and unfortunately, there are Filipinos that have made it hard on others that want to come to CA now. There are have been so many broken contracts that there are hospital groups that will not even consider hiring someone from the Philippines directly until they have provedn themselves over in the US. I am hearing more of it and seeing more of it on a daily basis and it sickens me.
There is another forum that is mainly Filapinos posting and mention is made quite frequently that they are looking for the fastest way over to the US and then they are going to bolt from their contract. They are posting same on the world wide web for all to see, including future employers and that has made it bad.
Blame them. What would you do if you were an employer?
^ ah ok. so you think this is particularly true for Filipinos only? how sad it is for decent Filipinos in and out of this forum who never intend and will never engage in such unethical practice. hopefully, we'll be more careful in generalizing. not all are like this.
and again, other nationalities are likewise involved in questionable practices but we should never single them out
I honestly don't think Letina has any intention of "zeroing on Filipinos" or being "racist". Let's not be over-sensitive on this issue. Let's take it in stride. I think she is just saying it for what it really is and for what is happening in reality.
We will be working in US soon (hopefully) and we should be prepared to get along with people of different cultural background. Some people from diff. cultures are frank and candid and we shouldn't take it personally.
Just my two cents.
well i guess the rest of the posts clarifies that this thread really zeoes in specifically for us nurses from the Philippines.
it's extremely upsetting in itself that many Filipino nurses have been thrust into the spotlight for, of all things, contract cancellation/buy-outs. fellow pinoys, can't we be more forward thinking??? many current nurses will be affected by such "reputation" and those still in the phils., struggling to get their documents or bsn's in order are well on their way to being discredited even before arriving in us soil. how sad. how unfair.
on the other hand, i believe this has nothing to do with just being Filipino. some may have lost discretion (and sanity!?) by boldly proclaiming such unprofessionalism over the www. but to say this is strictly a Filiipino thing is out of line. yes, it's stupid alright but definitely not our monopoly. the thing is, it's character.and no one nationality can say they have more "integrity" than others just by their country of origin. why, kababayans, we deserve better than this growing notoriety!!!! how about remembering the struggles of those Filipino nurses who've silently endured their contracts REGARDLESS of biases. (contracts will be forever biased, anyway.) those who've dedicated their lives to their profession so much so that any Filipina coming to the us is almost always known to be a caring, compassionate nurse. let's bring back those days.
As I mentioned above, there is another forum that many Filipinos post on, and if you look there, this is discussed on a daily basis. And if you find it upsetting, how do you think that I feel?
Probably the largest number of foreign nurses are coming over from the Philippines right now, and the the largest number of our foreign members.
I am not trying to slam anyone, but just being brutally honest about what is going on in the US right now.
And to add to it, all of the bad press that is currently going on in Manila about some of the programs. Add it together, and you definitely need to stay very professional about it. And all ot takes are a few bad apples to spoil it for everyone.
Do not turn on us who are only trying to help, but on those who are being vocal about wanting to take advantage of their contracts for just a quick way of getting over here and have no desire ever of completing the contract before they leave the airport in Manila. That is who you need to go after. Not the people here.
This is my first post..hello to all. I worked for a supplemental staffing company that recruited RN's mainly from India. The majority of our RN's worked out their contracts and found "homes and family" at that hospital. We did have some who had no intention of fullfilling their contractual obligation and would perform poorly to be dismissed or simply fled. It is both morally unethical and unprofessional to approach such a wonderful opportunity to relocate to the USA no matter which country of origin.
it's extremely upsetting in itself that many Filipino nurses have been thrust into the spotlight for, of all things, contract cancellation/buy-outs. fellow pinoys, can't we be more forward thinking??? many current nurses will be affected by such "reputation" and those still in the phils., struggling to get their documents or bsn's in order are well on their way to being discredited even before arriving in us soil. how sad. how unfair.
on the other hand, i believe this has nothing to do with just being Filipino. some may have lost discretion (and sanity!?) by boldly proclaiming such unprofessionalism over the www. but to say this is strictly a Filiipino thing is out of line. yes, it's stupid alright but definitely not our monopoly. the thing is, it's character.and no one nationality can say they have more "integrity" than others just by their country of origin. why, kababayans, we deserve better than this growing notoriety!!!! how about remembering the struggles of those Filipino nurses who've silently endured their contracts REGARDLESS of biases. (contracts will be forever biased, anyway.) those who've dedicated their lives to their profession so much so that any Filipina coming to the us is almost always known to be a caring, compassionate nurse. let's bring back those days.
Yes, that is how most are. But do to some bad apples thrown in, and who are being very vocal about not meeting the terms of their contracts, there is some lashback going on right now, and unfortunately right now, if you were the employer, what would you do?
Employers read these posts, believe it or not, and when they see some of the attitudes of those that have posted, it scares them. Especially on the other website.
And I have been taken advantage of and very recently, that is why I became very vocal about this issue.
Yes, that is how most are. But do to some bad apples thrown in, and who are being very vocal about not meeting the terms of their contracts, there is some lashback going on right now, and unfortunately right now, if you were the employer, what would you do?
Employers read these posts, believe it or not, and when they see some of the attitudes of those that have posted, it scares them. Especially on the other website.
And I have been taken advantage of and very recently, that is why I became very vocal about this issue.
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please don't get me wrong, i fully understand where you're coming from and realize the purpose of your post (WAKE-UP, pinoys!). in fact, i know it takes some effort to be very objective about such a burning issue. it's easier to keep mum about it but you chose to be out in the open. i know you took extra pain not to lose your civility, too. i appreciate you for that
of course, i don't subscribe to contract cancellations or buy-outs and believe it's not only unethical but also very damaging to fellow kababayans. such bad practice only deserves to be condemned. it hurts those already here in the us and the thousands who are still working their way to get to the land of their dreams. this is the reason why my post is basically urging my kababayans to shun this unprofessionalism.
the news about hospital groups having second thoughts about sponsoring filipino nurses is especially jolting as i know you wouldn't post anything like this unless it's true. i can't blame these hospitals. they have stakeholders to protect FIRST. even if i think the position to ban filipinos is much too drastic, i'm in no position to convince them otherwise. only the trend will and that is what i hope the current and forthcoming generation of pinoy nurses will seriously address.
no, i never took your post as a 'slam' to filipinos. you were clearly specific. it particularly helped that i know your purpose, consistent with your position as moderator. if ever i hinted displeasure, it was due to this part of one post that claimed their kind have always had the respect of us nurses... was that thoughtless or what???? to have the gall to say something like that in the middle of an admittedly shameful issue attached to one other nationality is just not helping. respect is earned because of accomplishment and CHARACTER, not a function of sweeping generalizations.
Oh my goodness! Please.....this was never meant to imply racism However, when I re-read my post, I can see why it may have come across that way. I guess what I was trying to say was that the only 'foreign' nurses I know are UK nurses, and I can only speak of our (UK) experiences.
And shame on those you mention who will be deliberately jumping ship without finishing out their contracts, their greed will (and should) come back to bite them
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Oh, but it is!!! The mere fact that you chose to be self-indulgent (...i.e. "I have to say.......) instead of careful to the interest group of this thread means you're discriminate as to who you'd respect...not really a sign of open, unbiased thinking. It seems to me that you've formed judgment to the whole group (PHILIPPINE NURSING) in your mind all this time, which explains why you hadn't the need to be careful anyway.
It's easy to say that people say things because they're being straightforward, frank. But FOR WHAT PURPOSE???? If there's no real use, why bother?
I hope you realize now that not because every single UK nurse you know is goody-two-shoes means that ALL of them are. It's the same with Filipino nurses, even if some have become crooked, it doesn't follow that every one is. And of course, Filipino nurses can achieve the respect of others, too, on no other basis but their accomplishment and character.
and we should be prepared to get along with people of different cultural background. Some people from diff. cultures are frank and candid and we shouldn't take it personally.
However, when I re-read my post, I can see why it may have come across that way. I guess what I was trying to say was that the only 'foreign' nurses I know are UK nurses, and I can only speak of our (UK) experiences.
Daning
104 Posts
Let's all be careful in zeroing in on Filipinos involved such unethical practice. The Brits and Thais are not guilt-free on this. Not only in nursing but in other fields as well. We ought to stick to making reminders on international nurses in general and not focusing on one nationality. Thanks.