Fewer Filipino Nurses Seek US Jobs in 1Q
In a news release by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the number of Filipino nurses seeking to practice their profession in the United States fell by 28 percent in the first quarter compared to a year ago.
Only 3,024 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time from January to March, down 1,170 from 4,194 in the same quarter of 2009, according to TUCP secretary general and former senator Ernesto Herrera.
The NCLEX refers to the licensure examination administered by the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc.
According to former senator Herera, former chairman of the Senate committee Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development
We are around 2006 levels in terms of the number of Filipino nurses taking the NCLEX for the first time and indicating their desire to enter the US nursing profession
Herrera said many recession-hit American employers are still reluctant to hire additional skilled foreign workers, including nurses.
With the American economy still emerging from a deep slowdown, Herrera said local governments there are struggling to cope with massive tax revenue shortfalls and stiff budget cuts. Due to the weak labor market in America, he said a growing number of Filipino nurses are seeking foreign employment opportunities elsewhere.
In Cebu, for instance, he said nursing schools that aggressively expanded their capacity in the last 12 months “have realized that fewer first-year students are actually entering nursing programs” compared to a year or two ago.
A total of 15,382 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time in the whole of 2009, down 5,364 or 26 percent from 20,746 in 2008.
In 2007, a total of 21,499 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time, up 6,328 or 42 percent from 15,171 in 2006. The 2006 figures were up 65 percent or 5,990 compared to the 9,181 Filipino nurses that took the NCLEX for the first time in 2005.
Over the last five years, a total of 81,979 Filipino nurses took the NCLEX for the first time.
Read the rest of the story at inquirer.net
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- Filipino nurses seeking US jobs down by 7%
- More Filipino Nurses Now Opting To Work in UK Than US
- Pinoy Nurses Seek End To Visa Retrogression
Tags: BON, Employment, NCLEX Review, NCLEX-RN, Nurse, nurse staffing
