whats next after passing the NLE?

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greetings to all! I am just a newly registered nurse. I took the NLE last November 2009 and received the good news at the end of january 2010. RI am indeed overwhelmed with joy when I heard the news and got to make my plans ahead immediately. There's a lot into my mind ryt now, plans and all. But I really dont know where to start my career as a professional nurse. I am aware of the difficulties that RN's are experiencing ryt now as with regards to employment here in our country and even abroad. As days go by, I feel so unproductive, it feels like becoming a nurse nowadays is somewhat a hard thing to go through. I hope you can give me pieces advice guys, most esp to those who have been into my situation now. I am really eager to find a nursing job but the fact that its not that easy makes me feel disappointed. Thanks! Godbless you all RN's

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Specializes in Renal,Rehab,Oncology,Emergency.

Welcome to the life of being an RN here in the Philippines. You are not alone in your dilemma as many nurses including their parents are puzzled as what lies ahead after passing the NLE.

It is nice that you are worried because this feeling of yours triggers you to do something about your situation hence you looking for some solution while many new RN's just sit around expecting that opportunity will just come knocking their way.

So here's the thing... I am sure you are aware that most overseas opportunity have started shutting their doors for nurses due to economic issues and what not. While others requires you to have a couple of years experience and some specialization before they even consider hiring you. Meanwhile, there are those who would even require you to take courses and pass exams aside from your experience before you can practice nursing in their country. So what are your options as I am sure you didn't take up nursing just for mere benevolent reasons?

Well for starters, a lot would start their NCLEX application and IELTS. Some would take up masteral courses (MAN/MSN) and others would start having some trainings and attending seminars.

It would really be up to you in relation to your priority as to what step you want to do after. But generally if you don't see yourself leaving the country anytime soon, it would be a good idea to have your BLS training and IVT training. And then you can also schedule yourself some hospital based trainings so that you will have some leverage when applying to hospitals for work. It is also a good idea to start submitting your applications to hospitals because you don't expect them to hire you right on the spot, and you can attend further trainings or study for NCLEX or do IELTS while waiting so you are being productive and not wasting time. A lot of people quit their job because they want to focus with NCLEX exams and stuff so it would be better if you can get this all done even before you start working. You just have to consider that these things expire but depending on which state you apply with, you can renew it anyway.

So what I would suggest is that you read the different threads in the forum and look into things. Decide on what you want to do in your nursing life and what opportunities are out there for you right now. It is also important to look into your funds as everything that you do will mostly incur expenses. This is the hard part about nursing as after all those grueling years of studying and paying your tuition, you still have to shell out more money for trainings and work after. So prioritize and decide carefully what path you would like to take so that you don't lay out unnecessary expenses. Generally it would be great if you can find work as experience is now deemed vital in your journey to find work abroad.

Or... you can also study hard, get a masteral degree and be an instructor in school/review centers/training centers as they do pay well. :p

Cheers!

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Thanks haoyin for giving me ur advice on how to jump start my career as a professional nurse. I do appreciate every single detail u said. Indee I am starting to work on my NCLEX-RN application, but license card is needed and for now, I dont have it yet. They said it would took months before it will be released, and I guess its another dilemma. I also wanted to start my BLS training and IVT since most hospitals require it. But again with IVT license card is a requirement too. So it all sum up for a simple fact that I need to wait for months to have my card. But I feel so disappointed losing my precious time waiting for it. Im really eager to have my working experience which I need when I go out of the country soon. But anyway, thanks a lot! Godbless!

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Specializes in Renal,Rehab,Oncology,Emergency.

You just wait around 2 months more or less and you will have your license. For now, you can work on your BLS or even start reviewing for your NCLEX if that's your plan, so when your license comes out and you have applied for NCLEX you can take it right away when you get your eligibility. On one hand, you can also start your IELTS as license isn't needed.

Some training centers does not require your license so just look around...

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Congratulations for passing the NLE! They said it was a really tough one.

An advice though, you might want to read through if you really want to push through with NCLeX right away. Unless you have an employer right away, obtaining a visa, an SSN (social sec number), and other factors come into play. I was so eager to take NCLEX back then but a lot seem to have taken it and was still stuck here in the Phils.

Another thing...if you must get a job, get something close to our field. Don't deviate.

Again, trainings, trainings, trainings are "staples." BLS and IVT are commonly needed...

Goodluck to us!

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congrats!first, enjoy the moment, and welcome to the long line of applying in the hospital and trainings. you may want to do your BLS first.

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Congrats! :balloons:

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