U.S. Issues Visa Bulletin for October 2010

Here is a piece of awesome news for all you nurses with pending visa applications to the United States! A new Visa Bulletin has just been released, renewing the hopes of those who have been aiming to get to the United States for work for so many years.

We all know how tiresome and frustrating the whole process can be, and while we cannot do anything about the situation, we can continue to prepare and equip ourselves to increase our chances of finding work in what has been dubbed by some as the “Promised Lands.” With this new bulletin, however, individuals who have sent in their applications and have been waiting for years might just see their dreams coming true. For more specific details on the bulletin, please click on the link above.

For many Filipino nurses who are still waiting for that big break, ALLGEN can help you with your preparations for work in other countries such as the United States. This October 4, we will be holding another NCLEX-RN review program. You may have already heard about our innovative and proven review methods, which have satisfied many a Pinoy RN.

More than this, however, we are offering an early bird discount to reviewers who will register on or before September 17. For only PHP15,000, reviewers will have access to unlimited review, together with all the technology and materials that ALLGEN has become known for.

For inquiries and reservations, please call or text the following numbers:

• 567-2749/0641
• 0917-544-2558
• 0918-468-8222
• 0922-859-5471

You can also visit our parent site for more information.

The Essence of Volunteering

In light of the upcoming run that ALLGEN is sponsoring, we thought it appropriate to bring up the topic of volunteering.  We all know that many nurses are offering their services as volunteers to hospitals and other health institutions.  The sad truth is that majority of these institutions require nurse “volunteers” to pay a fee in order to serve.  Note the use of quotation marks on the word volunteer.  By definition, the word volunteer imparts the idea of free will.  Merriam-Webster gives us the following descriptions.

As a noun:

1 : a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service: as a : one who enters into military service voluntarily b (1) : one who renders a service or takes part in a transaction while having no legal concern or interest (2) : one who receives a conveyance or transfer of property without giving valuable consideration.

Nowhere in the definition can you see any mention of money.  Monetary compensation is not the essence of volunteering.  Why then are “volunteer” nurses in the Philippines asked to pay to render their services?

You may say that the intention of those nurses who volunteer are not that pure anyway.  Some – if not many – nurses volunteer simply because they need the experience in order to get accepted to higher paying jobs outside of the country.  But, did you know that if you render volunteer service while not a registered nurse, it won’t be counted anyway?

That is beside the point, though, volunteerism ought to be a pure act.  On the one hand, hospitals and health institutions accepting volunteer nurses ought to willingly accept the services of those who offer – without any thought for the additional income that can be had.  On the other hand, nurses ought to willingly offer their services without making “experience for their resume” the primary objective.  Isn’t helping others without asking anything in return the spirit of nursing anyway?

What do you think about volunteering and volunteer fees?  Do you have any personal experience?  Do share them with us!

Photo credit: TalkOneVietnam

Run for a Cause: We too shall run!

Keeping one’s body healthy is just as important as keeping one’s mind sharp.  These days, the most popular activity to stay fit is to run marathons.  Even better, these days, marathons are held to support a greater cause.

We at ALLGEN are joining the bandwagon to highlight a cause that is close to a nurse’s heart: to stop nurse volunteer fees.

On the 14th of November, ALLGEN is holding its first annual run.  If you want to support this cause, register anytime from August 2 to October 22, 2010.  Categories, relevant fees, inclusions, assembly times, and gun start times are as follows:

• 3K 250 Race Kit & Singlet 5:35am 5:45am
• 5K 350 Race kit & Singlet 5:46am 6:00am
• 10K 450 Race Kit & Singlet 5:15am 5:30am
• 16K 600 Race kit & Singlet 5:15am 5:30am
• 10K GROUP (10 member division) 15,000 10 Race kits, 10 Singlet, Individual “Fun Run” medals, Team Plaque 5:15am 5:15am
• 16K GROUP (10 member division) 15,000 10 Race kits, 10 Singlet, Individual “Fun Run” medals, Team Plaque 5:15am 5:15am

In order to register and acquire more information, please get in touch with us at:

ALLGEN REVIEWERS USA, INC.

5F T.M Kalaw Center Bldg. T.M Kalaw Ave.

Ermita, Manila

(02) 567-2749/0641; 0917-544-2558; 0918-468-8222; 0922-859-5471

Make good use of your time, join  us in our run for a cause!

***NOTES:

• GIVEAWAY BAG shall be given to first 200 registrants who will pay immediately.
• Participants 6 years and below will be free of charge. Their guardians will be asked to present ID or other proof for validation

Get an iPod Shuffle for FREE!

Apple revolutionized the way we listen to music with the iPod series.  Since its launch many years ago, the iPod has become the most coveted mp3 player in the market.  If you’ve wanted your own iPod but never had the chance to get one for yourself, this could be your opportunity!

ALLGEN: The Intelligent Review is offering a FREE iPod Shuffle to a lucky NCLEX Reviewer this August!

The next batch of reviewers will begin the program on the 9th of August.  On top of receiving all the benefits of ALLGEN’s NCLEX Review Program, one of the 20 students will receive an iPod Shuffle.  Can it get any better than that?

ALLGEN’s Review Program has been proven to be one of the most effective in existence today.  With a tried and tested method, plus unlimited access to online review materials, it is no wonder that ALLGEN students achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

To avail of this promo and for more information, get in touch with us at the following numbers:

• 567-2749/0641
• 0917-544-2558
• 0918-468-8222
• 0923-528-2339

Don’t miss out on this opportunity.  Grab that phone now!

Top 3 Common Mistakes When Taking Tests

Taking the NCLEX is not much different from taking any other kind of qualification exam.  It may be tougher than other types of tests, but the bottom line is that it is a test, and whether you like it or not, you are bound to make some mistakes.

Awareness of the incorrect practices that are commonly engaged in by test takers will help you increase your chances of passing the NCLEX, though.  As with most anything, knowledge and awareness will give you the chance to change your strategy as needed.  Here are the 3 most common mistakes that are committed when taking tests.

1. Not practicing enough.  Some test takers fall into the trap of merely reading and reading and reading some more.  One important thing about taking tests is that you should actually do practice runs as much as you can.  Nothing beats actually taking the test, but since you cannot take the NCLEX everyday, the next best thing is to do dry runs.
2. Not following directions. This is a no brainer, really.  Instructions/directions are there for a reason, and every teacher/reviewer will always emphasize the importance of following them.  Sad to say, many test takers still fail to follow instructions.  If you do one thing when taking the NCLEX, make sure you understand the directions and that you follow them to a T.
3. Second-guessing your hunches. There are people who tend to over think, and more often than not, this results in incorrect answers.  You are not expected to be 100 per cent sure of your answers in the NCLEX, but if you find yourself over thinking an item, go with your hunch.

Do you tend to make these mistakes?  Take a step back and assess yourself.  Knowing your weak spots might just help you jump this hurdle called the NCLEX.

Did you know…?

ALLGEN NCLEX Review offers unlimited access to online materials, which include practice tests.  These tests will be very helpful in preparing you for the actual test!

ALLGEN Offers FREE NCLEX Trial Review

The Licensure Exam for Nurses in the Philippines is slated to occur on July 3 and July 4 of this year, and just like any other scheduled examination, the upcoming NLE is bound to be packed with countless hopefuls. In fact, numbers show that almost 100,000 individuals will be taking the NLE.

The NLE is known to be a tough nut to crack, with many examinees needing to re-take the test. It is crucial, though, as passing the NLE is the first step for Filipino nurses to practice their profession legally.

However, the NLE is just that – a stepping stone – for many Filipino nurses. There is a proliferation of nursing jobs in our country, but the supply of nurses is higher than the demand; hence the desire for many Filipino nurses to broaden their horizons by looking for jobs overseas.

In order to be able to work in a foreign country, the United States, for example, a licensed Filipino nurse must pass the NCLEX first. There are many review centers offering NCLEX programs, and among the best is ALLGEN: The Intelligent Review. With our distinctive approach to learning, we’ve proven ourselves to provide our students with personalized instruction. Indeed, we can proudly say that we offer the best NCLEX review in town.

To give you a taste of what we have to share, we are offering a one-day pass to this batch of NLE examinees! This one-day pass allows you to sit-in on a day’s worth of NCLEX review classes in our Ermita Office. Any NLE examinee is more than welcome to join us, and if you like what you see, you can enroll in any of our upcoming NCLEX review programs.

On another note, we are also happy to announce that our Cebu branch is extending its services. More than NCLEX review programs, NLE review programs are going to be held at ALLGEN Cebu by August of this year. For more information on the Cebu branch, please visit our ALLGEN Cebu blog.

Demand For US Nurses To Go Up

The American Dream.  That’s what numerous Filipinos hold on to.  Even nursing students – perhaps especially nursing students – cling on to the hope that they can, one day, go to the United States to practice their profession and build a better lives for themselves.  Time does change things, however, and today, it seems that Filipino nurses are looking to greener pastures than those that can be found in America.

The Philippine Star published an article last week about this change.  According to the author, more Filipino nurses are now choosing the United Kingdom over the United States:

More and more Filipino nurses are now opting to work in the United Kingdom than in the United States, according to local recruiters.

Citing data from the UK Borders and Immigration Agency, recruitment leaders yesterday said that the number of Filipino nurses deployed to UK in the past three years has already surpassed those deployed to the US in the same period.

Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), on the other hand, showed that less than 300 registered Filipino nurses went to the US to work during the three-year period.

While this is the current situation, things can quickly change in the near future.  Experts in the field of nursing are quick to point out the Health Care Reform Bill, which the Obama Administration is pushing.  With this bill in place, the United States is sure to need more nurses in a short span of time.

In the next few years, the demand for nurses in the United States will open up far more possibilities for Filipino nurses, who are already known for their quality work.  As such, there is no better time than now to prepare for this surge in demand!

If nurses take the NCLEX now and get practical experience while waiting out the temporary slack, their chances of getting a job in the United States will increase exponentially.

We at ALLGEN realize our role in helping you prepare for this.  With our tried and tested NCLEX review program, we are confident that we can equip you with the best tools that can get you your dream nursing job in the US.  ALLGEN’s NCLEX review program has received several awards – testimonies to its effectiveness.

Why not make the best of this waiting period?  Find out more about what we have to offer, and get the benefits of the best NCLEX review program you can participate in.

ALLGEN Receives 2010 Seal Of Excellence Award

As the year 2009 drew to an end, a lot of people couldn’t wait to get it over and done with. It seemed that everyone was hoping for 2010 to be their year. For some, 2010 is turning out to be just what they have dreamed of.

We’re glad and proud to share with everyone just how ALLGEN’s 2010 is starting off!

ALLGEN received the 2010 Seal of Excellence for Most Outstanding NCLEX Review Center. The award was given to the 17-day NCLEX Review Program. This program is an intensive course designed to address the various needs of nurses aspiring to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

ALLGEN’s NCLEX Review Program is a notch above all other similar programs being offered in the country.  Drawing upon tried and tested methods (from Sun Tzu’s Art of War to exam simulations), the review program has helped countless nurses finally achieve their goals.  As an added benefit for ALLGEN students, the review center extends the use of its online resources for 2 months after the 17-day intensive program.  Students may use these resources to further sharpen their skill sets.  Included in the online resource center are tests that will help reviewers evaluate their readiness for the NCLEX.  With the 2-month unlimited access to the online review, it is no wonder 98% of ALLGEN students pass the NCLEX review testing every month!

ALLGEN’s review programs are held all throughout the year.  For more information on the next program, you may visit our web site (ALLGEN: The Intelligent Review) or give us a call at (02)567-2749 or (02)567-0641.

Don’t settle for less than the best.  Shoot for excellence.  Be part of the ALLGEN family!

NCLEX Gauge to Australia

After years of studying nursing, you’ve always dreamed of passing the NCLEX with flying colors. This exam is the culminating event of your studies and, once passed, the beginning of your much awaited nursing practice.

NCLEX and IELTS passer is the most important factor in which most countries like Australia and Canada consider in hiring nurses. Licensure testing programs (e.g., nursing) face an increasing challenge of measuring the competency of internationally trained candidates, both in relation to their clinical competence and their English language competence.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) sought to develop a nursing-specific passing standard on the International English Language Testing System that U.S. jurisdictions could consider in their licensure decisions for internationally trained candidates. To assist with the latter, professional licensing bodies often adopt well-established and widely available international English language proficiency measures.

Findings from a standard setting exercise were considered by NCSBN’s Examination Committee in conjunction with other relevant information to produce a legally defensible passing standard on the test. This article reports in detail on the standard setting exercise conducted as part of this policy-making process; it describes the techniques adopted, the procedures followed, and the outcomes obtained.

The study is contextualized within the current literature on standard setting. The latter part of the article describes the nature of the policy-making process to which the study contributed and discusses some of the implications of including a language literacy test as part of a licensure testing program.

Next Nursing Destination: South Africa

Nursing in South Africa

A lot of nurses  ask the same question over and over: What is the next step after NCLEX, IELTS and Visascreen application?

Due to US retrogression, the media frenzy that comes along with it, the very small portal called H1B, the 5-page resume requirements, a nurse who studied for 5 years, volunteered for a year or two, worked in the OR for another 2 years suddenly feels like she just hit reached the dead end.

So the same nurse signs herself up andwith a “US” based agency promises not to  approach other agents or else she will pay the fine, works in the hospital for a year or three, takes the jeepney home with SLEEPING IN as her idea of “spending the weekend. And then she waits. And then she waits. And then she waits.

Now, why should waiting be boring when you have a whole life ahead of you? Why should you spend your weekend sleeping when you should be partying at the beach or going on a nature trip?

Enter Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the Free State of South Africa.With its huge demand for nurses previously unknown to the Filipino, a new door has opened which brings out the adventurous spirit of the plain ER nurse who at this very moment just woke up from the 1st shift (2p-10p)  in a home she shares with her parents,  her idea of fun is watching the next blockbuster Pinoy movie (boring) with her barkada.

A typical career pattern for a SKILLED NURSE would be similar although not limited to the following:

1. NLE – 1 year

2. WORK – Staff Nurse, ER, Scrub Nurse, etc. (5 years)

3.   NCLEX – Review, Results, Retake (?) ( 6 months)

4. IELTS – 7 in speaking (1 month)

5. Visascreen – 3 to 6 months

6. H1B – 1 -2 years  (Long shot)

7. Go back to work. 2-3 years (Local or Saudi w/ little pay)

8. Go to US

A typical career pattern for a  NURSE with a least a year’s experience would be similar although not limited to the following:

1. NLE – 1 year

2. WORK – Staff Nurse, ER, Scrub Nurse, Call Center, etc. (1 years)

3.   NCLEX – Review, Results, Retake (?) ( 6 months)

4. IELTS – 7 in speaking (1 month)

5. Visascreen – 3 to 6 months

6. Apply for Immigrant Visa -Nurse hits brick wall for a long while.

7. Work in local hospital for 2 to 4 years (Very litte pay).

8. Wait.Wait.Wait.Get married.  Wait.Wait.Wait. Still Waiting.

Now, if a nurse chooses to work in South Africa, the career pattern would be similar to this:

1. NLE – 1 year

2. WORK – Staff Nurse, ER, Scrub Nurse, Call Center, etc. (1 years)

3.   NCLEX – Review, Results, Retake (?) ( 6 months)

4. IELTS – 7 in speaking (1 month)

5. Visascreen – 3 to 6 months

6. Apply for Immigrant Visa -Nurse hits brick wall for a long while.

7. Work in local hospital for 1 to 2 years.

8. Work in East London or Cape Town  for 6 months to three years – high salary, accomodation, safari, the beach, party, pleasant weather, charming, sophisticated hospitals.

8. Go to US.

Working in South Africa does not mean giving up your dreams of working in the US. It equips you with the necessary skills needed for the next big leap without sacrificing your youth, your life, and your economic condition. It immerses you in a very rich culture and beautiful landscape.

In South Africa, you will learn to appreciate, that fun is not a mere trip to the mall and getting that Coach bag you’ve always wanted.  It is about cultural diversity, history, nature and love for people. In the first place, isn’t that the reason why you chose to be a NURSE?

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To Learn more about the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, BloemFontein visit the following sites:

1.http://www.sa-venues.com/eastcape.htm

2.http://www.sa-venues.com/westcape.htm

3.http://www.sa-venues.com/searchfs/bloemfontein.php

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To learn more about registration for South African Nursing Council visit their website at http://www.sanc.co.za/ or call Allgen Review Center at (+63) 2 567 0641 or (+63) 2 567 2749 .

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For opportunities in South Africa, you may visit Light and Hope Overseas Placement Agency ( http://lightandhopeph.com). Tel. (+63) 2 631 -9149/ +(63) 2 637 6049