Update: Just to make it clear, I'm not encouraging anyone to stay sa Pinas. So many people commenting I'm being pessimistic. I'm working in a private hospital earning less than 20k. OBVIOUSLY LAHAT TAYO GUSTO MAG ABROAD. I'm processing my papers right now. This post wasn't meant to be motivational, I tagged it as Venting first lol. If you have years of experience as a nurse, I dont think this applies to you kasi obviously you will get offered good jobs and the hospitals need you. This is for NEW INEXPERIENCED nurses who are in a rush to work abroad agad2 without being informed of the risks. Just pointing out that better opportunities come with experience and life abroad is a huge adjustment. No hate, makakalabas naman tayo lahat, just don't get taken advantage of. Mwah.

USRN, UKRN, AURN whatever you may want to be, here are some of my insights from my research so hopefully new nurses will be guided on their migration journey abroad.

side note: this is meant for those that will migrate using nursing/employment path (not with other visas ex. family petition/marriage/etc.)

1. ARE YOU REALLY SURE? I know so many new nurses who want to go abroad ASAP without experience. Question lang is why? 😭 It's like getting married without dating the person first. How will you know bedside or nursing in general really is for you if you haven't even tried it? If wala kang foundation in nursing to begin with, i cant imagine transitioning to a whole different life abroad AND to nursing. Imagine spending so much para makalabas eh miserable ka din pala pagdating mo dun 😭 Though may iba naman who thrived abroad without any experience. Anyways, it is not an easy job AT ALL. And tbh, there are so many career paths out there that will help you migrate abroad with less stress and way more money. So experience bedside first and see if this career path is really worth pursuing for you. 1-2 years experience is enough, kahit nga 6 months.

2. IT IS BY CHANCE! Besh, does not mean nakatapos ka ng PNLE, passed NCLEX or OSCE or whatever, and have 1 year bedside experience eh automatic lipad ka na abroad. Ang pinaka mahirap na part is ang maghanap ng employer na will bring you abroad and not take advantage of you. Migration is by chance. Napakaraming seasoned nurses jan na hindi pa naka abroad kasi walang opportunity na nag open up sa kanila. Special case yung pandemic era bc I know so many nurses with 0 experience naka punta abroad. Really depends on timing and connections. Right now retrogression sa US, may budget cuts ang NHS ng UK, and pahirapan din work sa AU and NZ from what I heard. To add, napaka lengthy ng process and mahal to apply for visas/fly, it will take YEARS. Investment talaga siya. If ganun lang kadali mag migrate ng ibang bansa edi sana lahat ng nurses e nakalipad na.

Reality check, it takes time, hindi siya instant. So in the mean time, just stick to your goal and do your best to make your resume appealing (experience, certifications, further studies, etc.). Actively explore opportunities (reaching out to agencies, attending job fairs) and be prepared to wait. WAG MAG PAPAUTO SA MGA SCAMS/AGENCIES AND DONT SIGN CONTRACTS DI MO NABASA (esp with no experience 😭)

1. BAKIT BA TAYO? Ask yourself why hospitals/agencies hire foreigners over fresh grad na local nurses. Maybe because: 1) For hospitals/areas/assignments na remote, delikado, walang adequate budget, na wala talagang local nurses na nag aapply; 2) Hospitals want to save money so instead of paying local nurses proper wages, mag iimport sila ng foreign workers na tumatanggap ng mababa na sweldo; 3) Toxic workplaces na illegal ang assignments ex. Aged care facilities na 1 nurse for 30 pts. Walang local mag a-apply dyan kasi delikado license mo; 4) Once agencies get you hired abroad, they earn when you earn. may cut sila sa salary mo until ma pay off mo nakalagay sa contract unless if direct hire ka. Choose agencies wisely;

Nurses are underpaid and overworked not just here in PH u know. Don't let them take advantage of you kasi nagmamadali kang lumipad. Build your experience so ang hospitals mag hahabol sayo and you get good job offers with benefits.

1. ITS NOT MEANT FOR EVERYONE. Life abroad is sometimes overrated. Di nila pinapakita ang struggles ng mga OFWs. Yes you are earning more but your expenses are also increasing. You will adjust to a new life, culture, language, people etc. Also dont get discouraged if everyone you know had already migrated and you're still here. In God's time, if its meant to be it will be.

So take things slow. Don't rush or force it. Invest in yourself and your career. Napakaraming opportunities nursing gives us, but we need to choose the right ones.

Anyways, I hope these insights have helped you on your migrations plans. Goodluck to us all!! 🫶🏼