The easy way in

netglow, ASN, RN · May 31, 2011

Yup, I have met a few Filippino nursing grads. They fly back here, then go through the process of getting the NCLEX stateside and licensed here somehow. I thought this could not be done with the newer immigration laws, but I have met several. There must be a few ways around immigration, because that somehow seems to not be holding them back at all. I've had a few ask me questions about the NCLEX and language testing, very nervously, etc. Thing is I gathered that they are original Philippine citizens. I didn't get into asking if they were US citizens eg born here. They were hesitant to even ask me about testing and all, like they were trying to feel me out. I do know that they were fresh out of school, not having gone through some long wait to get stateside. The ones I spoke with said they were assistants at nursing homes and about to take the NCLEX. I'd like to know more about this too.

llg, PhD, RN · May 31, 2011

I wouldn't call moving to a foreign country "easy." But for some people, particularly those who are US citizens with close family ties in the other country and familiarity with the language and culture, it can be a reasonable option.

Some people do that for med school -- particularly in the Carribean. Some "offshore" med schools have clinical rotation agreements with hospitals in the US -- and it is becoming a problem in some areas (NY in particular) as the offshore schools pay the hospitals for allowing their students to come -- squeezing out some students from US med schools.

caliotter3 · May 31, 2011

I see nothing wrong with a Filipino who is an American citizen going to the Philippines to attend nursing school. They are only taking advantage of an option open to them. They still have to meet whatever requirements are there for licensure in the States, but getting the education is most of the battle.

dudette10, MSN, RN · May 31, 2011

And what are your thoughts on importing nurses as per the bill H.R 1929 for fiscal year 2011-2012?
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr1929ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr1929ih.pdf

You've gotta be kidding me. What are Sensenbrenner (R-WI, 5th district) and Polis (D-CO, 2nd district) smokin'?

http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/

http://polis.house.gov/

*hint, hint*

I think it's funny that part of that bill is intended to revise the "American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000." Yeah, it will increase competition for Americans.

kalevra, BSN, RN · May 31, 2011

Yeah I definitely don't like the whole importing nurses aspect because we have a nursing shortage. As for this whole nursing shortage its not that we have a shortage of nurses more like we have a shortage of positions. Rather than import foreign nurses what about the crazy idea of providing placement to new grads coming out of over producing states in the west. These new grads would be placed in locations in the U.S having a "nursing shortage", where they get experience and a job while providing a much needed service to the community. It also keeps American jobs with American graduates. I think this makes a little bit more sense than giving out 20,000 visas and jobs.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · May 31, 2011

You might be looking for the easy way in. I'm looking for the easy way out. If you come across it in your search please let me know.

kalevra, BSN, RN · May 31, 2011

Easy way out is simple. Go to your councilor and say " I wish to withdraw from the RN program". lol

dudette10, MSN, RN · May 31, 2011

Upon closer inspection, it seems that the bill imposes a fee of $1500 TO THE EMPLOYER for each imported nurse. Due to that fee and the glut of new grads, the bill might be self-limiting, i.e. why would a hospital do all the paperwork and pay a fee when they can get an American for free? An exception to the fee is made for federally-described "underserved" areas.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · May 31, 2011

Easy way out is simple. Go to your councilor and say " I wish to withdraw from the RN program". lol

Yeah, but that would involve actually going somewhere and doing something.

kalevra, BSN, RN · May 31, 2011

Upon closer inspection, it seems that the bill imposes a fee of $1500 TO THE EMPLOYER for each imported nurse. Due to that fee and the glut of new grads, the bill might be self-limiting, i.e. why would a hospital do all the paperwork and pay a fee when they can get an American for free? An exception to the fee is made for federally-described "underserved" areas.

After reading through some of the articles on foreign nurses in the forum it appears that some employers may be able to pay their foreign nurses a few dollars less as compared to regular america nurses. In theory the employer would be able to recoup the initial investment of $1,500. After which they would still be able to pay them a lower amount than regular american nurses.

Lets say you have an American RN graduate getting paid $23.00 baseline. Then there is the foreign nurse you imported for $1,500 and pay at $22.00 baseline. Everything else is equal like health benefits and what not. So the pay difference is $1.00. If the foreign nurse works a 36 hour week, it comes out to $36.00 a week management saves. 4 weeks in a month times $36.00 a week comes out to $144.00 a month that management has saved. Multiply $144.00 a month by 12 months and you come out with $1,728 of savings for management. Subtract the initial fee of $1,500 and management saves $228.00 during that first year. The initial investment pays itself off under one year.

After that first year as long as the Foreign nurse is paid $1.00 less than their American counter parts, management will still be saving money in the long run. From a "bean counter" point of view it works.

netglow, ASN, RN · May 31, 2011

imported care: recruiting foreign nurses to u.s. health care facilities

this is not a new one, but it is an interesting read.