Nursing Agencies

For the past few days, Carina and I have been roaming around the metro looking for the best agency employing Filipino nurses to the United States. All in all, we've seen about 6 or 7 companies deploying Filipino nurses from the industrious state of New York to the sunny side of California. So many options yet so little time. Haaay. :)

Generally, most recruitment agencies would require any applicant the following qualifications and supporting documents:

• A registered nurse in the Philippines


• With at least 6 months to 2 years of tertiary hospital experience or 4 months or more volunteer hospital work


• A Certificate of employment


• Have passed the NCLEX-RN examination and/or CGFNS test


• Have passed the IELTS exam, TOEFL-iBT, or TOEFL with TSE


• Comprehensive and updated Resume


• Birth Certificate


• Passport


• PRC License


• PRC Certificate


• PRC Board Rating


• NBI Clearance


• High school and College Diploma


• Transcript of Records with RLE breakdown


• Marriage certificate, if any

Of course, I posses all of these items except the 2nd one, which is actually the most essential of them all. Bummer. Due to my mother's perkiness, I have decided to finish all the tests necessary for my future US employment. That includes the NCLEX-RN (which I passed) and the IELTS exam (results TBA). I did, of course, submit my resume to major hospitals all over the metro, such as the Philippine Heart Center (I'm on the 1st priority list), UST Hospital (I'm included in the list of next trainees), and even the AFP Nursing Corps. (I'm doing the physical exam thing). Busy me, right?

Of all the recruitment companies that we (Carina and I) have sought, the one deploying nurses to New York really stands out (do I hear Broadway?). They have a reasonable salary offer, accommodating staff, most of my classmates are there, and they'll even help with your family's visa application. Plus the fact that they can deploy you to the oldest and possibly the best hospital in the US! Very nice, indeed. Haha.

Unfortunately, the said agency is quite pricey. I need roughly $1200 to process my New York License, Credentials Verification Service for the state of New York, and Visa Screen. And that's all on me! Yikes! Luckily, they'll reimburse them once I reach the States. Haha. :)

My parents think that it is a nice agency. Considering both sides of the coin, they told me that I should start processing the necessary requirements ASAP and land a job in any of the aforementioned hospitals. GRRR!

A word of caution, though, to all Filipino nurses.

• Please VERIFY any agency with the POEA before signing anything. I remember a certain case some time last year when a group of Filipino nurses were "supposedly" sent to New York but were deported immediately due to immigration issues concerning their employer. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.


• Legitimate agencies would NEVER ask for a placement fee or any form of money. Usually, the company would provide that for you.


• READ all forms given to you before signing anything. It is better to be informed than to be ignorant, right?


• ASK every possible question that comes into your mind or forever keep your peace. Question them about work scenarios, wages, housing, vacation benefits, and the like.


• NOTE any inconsistencies in their offers or contract and POINT them out. It is better to be a smart a** than be smart a**-ed (Is there such a word?).

Anyways, happy job hunting and God Bless! :)