Nurses from Asia especially from the Philippines, has been having a hard time fulfilling their American dream. That’s why, there vast supply of nurses seek jobs in other nearby countries. Countries in Asia have their own demand of nurses but most often, the language barrier always comes in. However, English speaking Asian countries like Singapore has been eyed to be their chance.

Just right in time that Singapore’s nursing graduates diminished in the past years and their hospitals right now are trying to fill in the need. The location has been very favorable to Filipino Nurses being on of the nearest neighboring countries. Singapore health care system is one of the world’s finest and the nurses should also meet the standards.

If you’re a Filipino nurse who is considering a nursing job in Singapore, you have at least 3 years related experience in a 200-300 bed capacity tertiary hospital in the Philippines. The years of experience required should not include the volunteer years as the Singapore Nursing Board will not consider it. You need to pass their own nursing exam in order to work as registered nurse. Those having three years experience can immediately apply to take the nursing exam.

Foreign nurses who were not able to pass the nursing exam can also work as an enrolled nurse. They will work as nurse assistants for the mean time. Of course their compensation would be lesser that the those who are working as RN’s.

Basic documents that they would Birth Certificate, Nursing Transcript, Passport and References and Certificate of Employment from previous employer.

As the usual guidelines in seeking jobs abroad, nurses should always verify the authenticity of the job offer. Always counter check in the POEA to avoid illegal recruitment

Singapore Nursing Job Qualifications:

• Male/Female
• Below 35 years old
• No BMI requirement
• At least 3 years’ experience in a 200 or more bed capacity hospital as a STAFF NURSE after Post Registration from PRC.
• All areas are accepted.
• Volunteer, probationary, reliever, contractual, trainee nurse is not counted as experience.

Singapore Nursing Job Requirements:

1. Resume with detailed job description to state height/weight/Body Mass Index and state also the no. of bed capacity of hospital under work experience.
2. Diploma
3. Transcript of Record w/ Related Learning Experience.
4. PRC Board Certificate
5. Board Rating with breakdown
6. Valid PRC ID License
7. Marriage Contract (if applicable)
8. Passport valid for more than 2 years.
9. 8 pcs. passport sized photos with white background
10. Employment Certificate stating the STAFF NURSE position, Inclusive Dates of Employment in dd/mm/yy, Area of Exposures, Bed Capacity of hospital, work performance and character reference signed by either Nursing Director or Head of nursing service.

All interested applicants can apply at Jedegal International Manpower Services Inc. and look for Ms. Apple.

Jedegal International Manpower Services Inc.
Ground floor & 2nd floor Accent Tower Building
33 Shorthorn St., Quezon City
Tel Nos: (632)352-2193; (632)352-2192; (632)352-2185
Fax Nos: (632)3520029

UAE has the most job openings for nurses, specifically in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They require at least 2 years experience and applicants may be required to pass the requirements of the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and the Health Administration Abu Dhabi (HAAD) for nurses who want to work in Abu Dhabi.

As of writing, nursing jobs available in UAE are:

Registered Nurse for Abu Dhabi
- Must have at least 2 years experience
- Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and must hold an authentic license from the POEA.
- Must be a HAAD passer.

Contact: Ikon Solutions Asia located at 7th Floor Athenaeum Bldg., 160 LP. Leviste St. Salcedo Village, Makati City

Registered Nurse for Dubai
- Must have at least 2 years experience
- Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and must hold an authentic license from the POEA.
- Initial salary of AED4,400 or Php55,050 a month

Contact: Athena Manpower Services Inc., 4672 Evangelista St. Cor. Cuangco St. Pio Del Pilar 1230 Makati City.

Registered Nurse for Saudi Arabia
- Must have at least 2 years experience
- Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and must hold an authentic license from the POEA.

Contact: Bison Management Corporation #3963 BMH Centre Yague Street Bgry. Sta.Cruz, Makati City

Registerd Nurse for Qatar
- Must have at least 2 years experience
- Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and must hold an authentic license from the POEA.

Contact: Reach Manpower International Inc., 2nd Floor Paraiso Bldg., #36 Alabang-Zapote Road, Zapote, Las Pinas City

The change in the PRC Nursing Board Exam schedule is made possible through Commission Resolution No. 2009-537 that was approved on November 13, 2009.

The deadline for filing of applications for the July nursing licensure exams will be on April 14 for repeaters while first time examinees must file theirs before May 14.

For the December 2010 nursing board exam, repeaters may file their application until September 8 while deadline for first time examinees is on November 8.

Check for listing of California Nursing Schools if you’re interested in a career in healthcare.

This nursing board examination has recorded the most number of nursing graduates examinees for the past years. The Professional Regulation Commission board of Nursing says a total of 95,282 nursing graduates have taken the examination last November 29-30.

The biggest number of examinees comes from Metro Manila (40,621 first-timers, 33 conditioned); Baguio (14,102 first-timers, 7 conditioned); Cebu (8,899 first-timers, 5 conditioned); Cagayan De Oro (3,045 first-timers, 2 conditioned); Davao (8,143 first-timers, 2 conditioned); Iloilo (6,020); Legaspi (3,070 first-timers, 1 conditioned); Lucena (3,444); Tacloban (1,145); Tuguegarao (2,322 first-timers, 1 conditioned); Zamboanga (1,609); Jolo (166); Pagadian (1,568); Angeles (179); and Butuan (898).

The number of nursing graduates taking the board exam has steadily increased over the years. The number of examinees this November surpasses the 88,649 who took the exam November 2008.

THE TUCP based their observations on the total number of nurses who took the US Nursing Licensure Examination which decreases this year.

Secretary-General and former senator Ernesto Herrera said that for January-September 2009, only 11,854 Filipino nurses took the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) compared to the 15,079 examinees on the same months in 2008.

He added that from July-September 2009, only 3,582 took the NCLEX for the first time, down by the 1,660 from the 5,242 that took the same test in the same quarter last year.

Although there are NCLEX review centers in Manila to help Filipino nurses prepare for the examination, a sharp decline of examiners are still recorded.

Herrera believes that due to the recession in the United Stateswhich lead to left and right lay-offs, Filipino nurse are in doubt if they are taking their chances in the country of milk and honey.

“The confidence of foreign workers in America’s economic supremacy has clearly been shaken by the staggering job losses there,” Herrera said.

Herrera noted that according to the US Department of Labor, 7.6 millions Americans have lost their jobs when US was hit by economic crisis in 2007. The unemployed Americans doubled to 15.1 million this year.

However, Herrera said that 4 out of 10 Filipino nurses still want to work in USA, despite of the on going crisis.

For 2008, a total of 20,746 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time, 3.5 decreases from the 21,299 Filipino nurses who took the test in 2007.

There is a need for 203 qualified nurses to fill the US Staff Nurse employment opportunity. The recruitment agency where you can see the complete job order is given below.

All interested may proceed to the recruitment agency for a direct application:

Health Carousel Philippines Inc.
U1803 Taipan Place, Emerald Avenue
Ortigas Center, Ortigas, Pasig City
Tel Nos: 6376191-92

This event will be held from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the PNA Auditorium, Philippine Nurses Association, Inc. 1663 F.T. Benitez Street, Malate, Manila.

Please remember that pre-registration is required. The registration fee is Php 1,500.00 for members and Php 1,700.00 for non-members.

Interested nurses who would like to attend may contact Mr. Nicole at 4004430 or 5210937 loc. 1006.

Attend now and get more skills you can use so you can get better chances of getting a work abroad as a nurse.

DOLE just announced that they have work openings for the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras via the Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) program. The government is looking for a total of 160 nurses whose work will start by October 1, 2009.

This is a really great opportunity to help your fellow Filipinos while gaining the much needed work experience so you can apply for a nursing job abroad in the future.

Interested nurses who want to apply can go and read this article on How To Apply For NARS Program.

The chosen nurses will be working for the Ministry of Health of KSA. They are in need of head nurses, charge nurses and staff nurses. Other health worker positions are also available.

Basic qualifications include a license and at least one year hospital experience. Applicants must also be not more than 45 years of age.

Accepted nurses will enjoy an annual paid vacation, a free round trip economy ticket, housing and transportation allowance and a yearly renewal of contract.

Qualified and interested applicants may personally submit a detailed resume with job description, school credentials, employment certificates, passport copy and two (2) pieces 2X2 recent picture at the Manpower Registry Division, Window M, Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Building (Formerly POEA Bldg.), Ortigas Avenuecorner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.