Where are the best places for RN studies in the Philippines?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 3, 2009

I live in the United States (California), and I want to take the RN courses in the Philippines because the schools are full in the US. Can someone give me a few schools that are reputable that I could attend that would qualify for the NCLEX exams in the US? If you are not sure if they qualify, please list them anyway. I can the nursing board in the US and find out.
Thank you!

All graduates of BSN-granting institutions in the Philippines are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN in the US. California, however, requires passing the Professional Regulation Commission's National Licensure Exam for Nurses in the Philippines prior to receiving eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN. If you are a citizen of the US, this might be a problem for you because the Philippines' National Licensure Exam for Nurses is not offered to those who are not citizens of the Philippines. To find the best nursing schools in the Philippines, look into board examination pass rates over a period of 5 years or more. The best schools have a consistent passing rate of 90% and above. Schools in Metro Manila that fit this category include University of the Philippines Manila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila), University of Santo Tomas, University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center, and St. Paul College Manila. There may be others but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head as they were considered good schools even back when I was a nursing student in the Philippines.

WantToBeAnRN · Jan 4, 2009

First of all, thanks so much! Also, do you have any idea how many other US states besides California that requires the Philippines' National Licensure Exam? Also, can I take the exam at another US state, then later take the California exam (or transfer to California)?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 4, 2009

Unfortunately, foreign educated RN's do have a more complicated way of getting licensed in most US territories and states of jurisdiction. Rules have changed over the years and I believe new rules are still being added. In response to your question, California requires having an active Registered Nurse license in another state of jurisdiction to qualify for RN endorsement. In addition, foreign educated nurses are required to have their school submit a Transcript of Records with a Breakdown of Educational Program form.

If you plan on seeking licensure in a state other than California, the best way is to run through the list of states and check each requirements yourself. It can be a daunting task as I found out for myself. I looked at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website (www.ncsbn.org) and went through the links to each state BON. I made it past the states beginning with the letter "A" to "D". The ones I looked at required a course-by-course evaluation of your nursing program but did not specify whether you will need to be licensed in the the foreign country you were educated in. These states were AL, AZ, and CO. The others required passing the CGFNS examination and these states were AK, AR, CT, and DE. Be aware that part of the requirements to sit for the CGFNS examination is having passed the licensure exam in the foreign country you were educated in.

My question now is are you willing to go through all this headache which you'll have to go through if you obtain your education outside the US?

WantToBeAnRN · Jan 4, 2009

NP Gilly,

I really do not have much of a choice at this point. If I were younger, I would wait for a US school, but at 48, my options are limited. I think you have given me enough information to conduct additional research. I will likely call the Universities (in the Philippines) and the licensing boards (in each US state) and try to find the easiest state to get licensed in after getting my degree in the Philippines. I will also have to find out the steps of then transferring from that US state to California. This seems like a big headache, but I really have any other options. I guess my first question that I will verifying with each state board is whether I need to be licensed in the country where I received my education.

Thanks so much for your help. If you have any suggestions, I would be happy to receive them!

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

At 48 you will have to go to 5 years of college, then wait the NLE which is only a couple times a year, then have your papers clear and sit for the NCLEX. This is a 6 year period so you will be 54 when complete. Then you will have to find a position.

Going to school in the US is 2years + the pre reqs, sounds a bit easier to me.

If you are not a citizen you also may loose your Green Card Status and wait for retrogression.

One more factor the BON can change it's rules at any time, so what you may think today is correct to sit for the NCLEX today may change when you finish.

Best of Luck.

WantToBeAnRN · Jan 5, 2009

I have already finished my Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry and a few other courses, but I guess it's still a bit of a journey.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

Then I would apply to an ADN program. You could be a RN in 2 years if you go to a school in the US.

tinybubbles888 · Jan 12, 2009

First of all, thanks so much! Also, do you have any idea how many other US states besides California that requires the Philippines' National Licensure Exam? Also, can I take the exam at another US state, then later take the California exam (or transfer to California)?

I think almost all states requires Philippines NLE, except New Mexico yet I'm not sure now about New Mexico as requirements keeps on changing.