Any Philippine RNs who moved to the USA with a K/Spouse Visa?

[reginakrys 33]

I'm applying for a Vermont license. They don't require an English proficiency test, but they need a CES report from CGFNS.

After Vermont, I'm planning to have my license endorsed to Alabama, where we're planning on residing (and working, of course.)

[paul_kay 31]

I don't know, but you might be right about New York being the only state which doesn't require a foreign-trained nurse to have a license in their own country. It's worth checking into some more.

Also, after checking into it some more, it appears that Illinois requires a foreign-trained nurse to have had a license in their own country even if they are applying for licensure by endorsement. That issue is worth a phone call to the Illinois BON for clarification.

Yeah that's right. And I also read that they need proof of employment for at least 2 years in the State where you are endorsing from. Not sure but... OMG! No way around it!

[Leatherneck 693]

That's right, Leatherneck. Chinook was a nurse in 'Pinas, passed the NCLEX-RN here in the States, and is now working as an RN here in Seattle.

Manny & Cel, below is a post I made in a recent thread. I hope it helps:

The NCLEX-RN process here in the States is the same as it is in 'Pinas. Only the price is different. It costs $350 in 'Pinas (and often travel expenses too). It costs $200 in the U.S. You can apply for the ATT (authorization to test) through any state in the U.S. Each state has its own requirements. Once you have fulfilled the requirements of the state where you applied, and have received the ATT, you can sit for the NCLEX-RN anywhere you want, including your home town. You do not need to take the test in the state where you applied for the ATT.

Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, you will be issued an RN license by the state which gave you the ATT. That license authorizes you to work as an RN in that state. If you instead want to work in the state where you live, you can transfer your license to your state through a procedure called "license by endorsement." Each state has it's own requirements for licensing by endorsement. Once you have completed the licensing by endorsement process, you will be licensed in your state and can go to work as an RN.

Chinook applied through the state of Vermont for the ATT, and was accepted. She sat for the NCLEX-RN in the state of Washington. She passed the test, and was licensed by the State of Vermont. Then she applied through the State of Washington for a license by endorsement. It took a month or so for Washington to grant her a license. Chinook started working as an RN here in Washington about three months after the Washington State Board of Nursing issued her license.

Here are Chinook's recommendations for preparing for the NCLEX-RN:

> Saunders Comprehensive Fourth Edition-- A good book for the basics. Also, pay attention to the Pharma.

> Exam Cram-- A good book for analysis. The practice questions are similar in style to the actual test.

> LaCharity-- A good book for prioritization.

> NCLEX3500-- Free online review. Good for analysis. Questions are more challenging than Saunders.

> Memorize only the very basic lab values. If you try to understand the concept first, the analysis becomes easier.

> Answer at least 100 questions every day.

> Chinook self-studied for the NCLEX-RN. She always wanted to feel fresh and relaxed when she was studying, so she would study for an hour or so at a time. Then, when she was feeling tired, she would take a short nap.

Good luck on the NCLEX. There are jobs out there waiting for you!

I know you're the go-to man with regards to helping newly arrived/yet to arrive Pinay RNs to the USA.

[Leatherneck 693]

Yeah that's right. And I also read that they need proof of employment for at least 2 years in the State where you are endorsing from. Not sure but... OMG! No way around it!

Maybe this can be of some help to you.

[hope.andsun 7]

I'm a nursing graduate, and came to the US under the K1 visa process. However, I already passed my Nclex when I was in the Philippines. I am now waiting for my AOS approval, and started applying for jobs in the meantime. Having a hard time because they're all asking for experience, but still keeping positive, and will keep on trying.

[SuperDuper! 230]

On a scale of 0-100, how stressful is the job of an RN? As much I like the "glamor" of my wife to have title of RN, I really don't want her all stressed out working the midnight to noon shift at the hospital, and then come home to me looking like this .

Peace.

[maning 36]

I'm a nursing graduate, and came to the US under the K1 visa process. However, I already passed my Nclex when I was in the Philippines. I am now waiting for my AOS approval, and started applying for jobs in the meantime. Having a hard time because they're all asking for experience, but still keeping positive, and will keep on trying.

Which do you think was harder... NLE or NCLEX? Some of our friends thought NLE was harder.

[Leatherneck 693]

I'm a nursing graduate, and came to the US under the K1 visa process. However, I already passed my Nclex when I was in the Philippines. I am now waiting for my AOS approval, and started applying for jobs in the meantime. Having a hard time because they're all asking for experience, but still keeping positive, and will keep on trying.

Good thing you're in California, there are tons of Pinay nurses, so maybe you will get lucky and find a hospital with a Pinay DON that will take you with no experience.

Edited November 6, 2011 by Leatherneck

[Dylan&Douglas 0]

On a scale of 0-100, how stressful is the job of an RN? As much I like the "glamor" of my wife to have title of RN, I really don't want her all stressed out working the midnight to noon shift at the hospital, and then come home to me looking like this .

Peace.

i work nights ( 7pm- 7am) less chaos, less stressful, more money , i would say it is 30, and it depends of the group of patients u have.

Which do you think was harder... NLE or NCLEX? Some of our friends thought NLE was harder.

yes for me NLE is harder.

[Dylan&Douglas 0]

I'm a nursing graduate, and came to the US under the K1 visa process. However, I already passed my Nclex when I was in the Philippines. I am now waiting for my AOS approval, and started applying for jobs in the meantime. Having a hard time because they're all asking for experience, but still keeping positive, and will keep on trying.

i came here in the US with no experience, took me 4 months to get a job, now i have been working as a RN for more 18months now. I got a pinay preceptor too which is really a big, big help! Good Luck to you, hope u get a job soon!

[ezzie 7]

Hi! I am now working as an RN in CA. I came here without experience, since I was from a different medical field, and was hired. Been RN here for 3 years now. I applied with the CA BON, they did not require the NLE, so I went ahead and took the NCLEX without the NLE. I took it in HK since we didn't have it in the Philippines at that time. If I remember it right, Vermont didn't require the NLE, too.

If you want to work in CA, feel free to send me a PM, cause I think the hospital where I work in are hiring new grads. In fact, they are offering Versant Residency program for new RNs.

[Tahoma 2,291]

Maybe this can be of some help to you.

Leatherneck...thanks for posting the link... ...it's a great place to start for anyone who is contemplating the NCLEX. Also, it includes links to every state BON.

I'm a nursing graduate, and came to the US under the K1 visa process. However, I already passed my Nclex when I was in the Philippines. I am now waiting for my AOS approval, and started applying for jobs in the meantime. Having a hard time because they're all asking for experience, but still keeping positive, and will keep on trying.

Congratz on passing the NCLEX.

Even though Chinook had only six months of volunteer nursing in 'Pinas, she got a job fairly quickly here in the U.S. She's now a charge nurse at a nursing home. Have you applied at any nursing homes? Many of them like to hire Pinoys. When it comes to nursing home hiring, I think good English language skills can be more important than experience.

On a scale of 0-100, how stressful is the job of an RN? As much I like the "glamor" of my wife to have title of RN, I really don't want her all stressed out working the midnight to noon shift at the hospital, and then come home to me looking like this .

Nursing can be very stressful depending on the particular field of nursing one choses to go into.

Which do you think was harder... NLE or NCLEX? Some of our friends thought NLE was harder.

Chinook said the NLE was more difficult than the NCLEX. It took a lot longer too.

[hope.andsun 7]

Thank you guys for all the support. Ezzie, I will take you up on that offer. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH <3 You guys give me strength to continue.

[Leatherneck 693]

Leatherneck...thanks for posting the link... ...it's a great place to start for anyone who is contemplating the NCLEX. Also, it includes links to every state BON.

Congratz on passing the NCLEX.

Even though Chinook had only six months of volunteer nursing in 'Pinas, she got a job fairly quickly here in the U.S. She's now a charge nurse at a nursing home. Have you applied at any nursing homes? Many of them like to hire Pinoys. When it comes to nursing home hiring, I think good English language skills can be more important than experience.

Nursing can be very stressful depending on the particular field of nursing one choses to go into.

Chinook said the NLE was more difficult than the NCLEX. It took a lot longer too.

You bet Tahoma!

[hope.andsun 7]

Which do you think was harder... NLE or NCLEX? Some of our friends thought NLE was harder.

NLE is harder because it was too broad.