finished my BS in Nursing in Philippines but not a certified nurse, what to do?

[nate and riyn 11]

i finished my Bachelor of Science in nursing last 2009, havent had any experienced yet, i didnt take my license board exam either in Philippines, after i finished my college i went to singapore to work as an assistant outlet manager at the Mall, and now i just arrived 3 weeks ago here in Texas, me and my husband wonder how am i going to continue my nursing degree here in America, aside from having my SSN, waiting for my GC (i came here with a CR1 visa), learning how to drive, get a driving license and state ID, what else do i need to do to prepare myself in continuing my nursing degree.i hope to hear any good advice from vj members. Thank you!

[Robb&Ann 101]

I think it's better to take a refresher course..then decide about taking NCLEX..

[Adrian_Trischa 6]

i finished my Bachelor of Science in nursing last 2009, havent had any experienced yet, i didnt take my license board exam either in Philippines, after i finished my college i went to singapore to work as an assistant outlet manager at the Mall, and now i just arrived 3 weeks ago here in Texas, me and my husband wonder how am i going to continue my nursing degree here in America, aside from having my SSN, waiting for my GC (i came here with a CR1 visa), learning how to drive, get a driving license and state ID, what else do i need to do to prepare myself in continuing my nursing degree.i hope to hear any good advice from vj members. Thank you!

I would contact the American Nurses Association to see whether your degree is recognised and ask them what to do in your instance. If so, what you need to do in order to be licensed. I know that coming from Australia, a lot of nurses have to take a couple more classes to be eligible to take the NCLEX exam. This may or not be the case from the Philippines. You'll also have to look into state licensing.

[Maebert 0]

Contact Texas Board of Nursing and ask what the requirements are..they usually ask you to have ur credentials evaluated, they should give u a list where u can do that..i filed an application at california BON and they didnt ask me to do that..but i heard that they already require u to submit you're CASES just like what PRC requires in the Philippines...

[Robb&Ann 101]

i heard that they already require u to submit you're CASES just like what PRC requires in the Philippines...

really? you mean the cases that we submitted to PRC?? i need to dig out my old files then..i need to find my copy.. or do they require a new case from the hospital there?

[Maebert 0]

really? you mean the cases that we submitted to PRC?? i need to dig out my old files then..i need to find my copy.. or do they require a new case from the hospital there?

well thats what my friend told me...her cousin applied for cali license but they denied the application because they were asking for the cases...im just not sure if they require cases from here or they acknowledge cases from the Philippines Edited May 10, 2013 by Maebert

[Robb&Ann 101]

well thats what my friend told me...her cousin applied for cali license but they denied the application because they were asking for the cases...im just not sure if they require cases from here or they acknowledge cases from the Philippines

ohh.. we really have to contact the BON in our state to verify about this. thanks for the response

[Flames9_RN 358]

and check out allnurses.com--they have an international forum that may help you out.

[nate and riyn 11]

thank you guys for the information.. do you think we can apply as a caregiver or a nursing aid in a nursing home while waiting for some refreshing courses here in america?

[Maebert 0]

thank you guys for the information.. do you think we can apply as a caregiver or a nursing aid in a nursing home while waiting for some refreshing courses here in america?

there are several jobs that u can apply for..some jobs only require highschool diploma

[notusinganymore 31]

thank you guys for the information.. do you think we can apply as a caregiver or a nursing aid in a nursing home while waiting for some refreshing courses here in america?

Even the caregivers and nursing aids have certifications when working in the US. You can take their courses. They have CNA and LPN I believe but I don't think they would allow you to work in a retirement and do LPN, CNA, USRN jobs without proper certification. You can try asking though

Your best bet is to ask your state licensing office

[Tahoma 2,292]

...how am i going to continue my nursing degree here in America...

...what else do i need to do to prepare myself in continuing my nursing degree...

Step 1: Read about the State of Texas licensing requirements for foreign nurses on the Texas Board of Nursing website.

Step 2: Start studying for the NCLEX-RN.

Prediction 1: Texas requirements are different than California requirements.

Prediction 2: You won't have to take any classes.

[Robb&Ann 101]

taking refresher courses and trainings required for nurses is important esp if there was no exp after graduating.. knowledge is continuous. Nursing evolves. what we have learned 3 years ago might not be the same now.

[Flames9_RN 358]

It MAY be hard to get hired, if you have never worked as a nurse since 2009--especially being a new nurse--back in 2009--- that has never worked in the field. Yes you may luck out--write the Nclex and get a job, but NOT doing anything nursing related since 2009, well the odds are not in you favor. Study for the Nclex and many schools offer a refresher course that may help! Best of luck

[ndu26 114]

The state boards will have to tell you what they need from especially since you said you never took the licensing exans in the philippines. if that wasn't the case all you needed to do was study and take the NCLEXs once your state certifies you as eligible. I came in Sept 2006 from Nigeria as an RN and took the NCLEX in OCT, passed started working Dec.

I also agree with a refresher course as it has been a while and the NCLEX format has been reviewed within the last few years.