How to become a nurse in the US from the Philippines

The United States is one of the top destinations for Filipino nurses who are looking for better career opportunities in other countries. Nursing in the USA offers competitive salaries, a wider range of benefits and more opportunities for professional growth. But moving to the US as a registered nurse educated in the Philippines is a process that requires careful planning and preparation.

At Espirita, our relocation experts will guide you through each step, from getting your US registered nurse (RN) licence to making the final move and understanding cost of living and expenses.

How to apply as a nurse from the Philippines in the USA 

If you’ve been educated in the Philippines and want to become an RN in the USA, you’ll have to meet specific requirements to practice and migrate to the country. The process can seem overwhelming and complicated but managing the journey one step at a time and working with a relocation agency like Espirita can make applying less daunting.  

In short, to become a nurse in the USA from the Philippines, you’ll have to:

1. Meet nursing education standards
2. Get a US nursing license
3. Find a US-based employer or recruitment agency
4. Secure a US work visa
5. Move from the Philippines (or somewhere else) to the USA

1. Meet nursing education standards 

Before beginning your journey to become a registered nurse in the US, ensure you meet these requirements for USRN licensure:

• Completion of an accredited nursing program, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Current licensure as a nurse in the Philippines

The US healthcare workforce is held to a very high standard, meaning that international nurses must have equivalent qualifications and experience to be considered for licensure. Meeting these requirements helps prevent delays in your relocation and ensures you’re ready to begin your career in the United States.

2. Get a US nursing license 

The professional requirements for getting a US nursing license vary depending on the state you apply to work in. Every state has its own board of nursing that follows different processes, but generally, getting a US nursing licence works as follows:  

• CGFNS evaluation and exam: The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) checks if your nursing education meets US standards. This usually involves an evaluation of your transcripts and possibly taking the CGFNS Qualifying Exam. 
• Language test: For your role, you’ll need to communicate effectively in English, since most states require a language proficiency test like TOEFL or IELTS. This helps to show that you have the language skills needed to practice your job safely. 
• NCLEX-RN exam: The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is a comprehensive exam that assesses your knowledge and readiness to practice as a registered nurse in the US.

These are the general steps involved in getting a US nursing licence. It’s always best to double-check the specific requirements for the state where you plan to apply for licensure. 

3. Find a US-based employer or recruitment agency  

An essential requirement for your US visa application is a job offer from a US employer or sponsorship from a recruitment agency like Espirita. Without this, you will not be able to successfully apply for a work visa.  

Getting a US RN job offer or sponsorship is generally easier with the help of a recruitment agency. They have established relationships with healthcare providers and are familiar with the processes involved, making relocation easier for you.   

Alternatively, you can try to find and confirm a job offer directly with a US-based employer. This would involve reaching out to employers, confirming that they accept international applicants and managing the rest of the relocation process on your own. 

4. Secure a US work visa 

To work as an RN in the US, you’ll need to obtain a visa. The type of visa you can apply for will depend on your qualifications, citizenship and work goals.   

A VisaScreen® with CGFNS is the first step in the process. It ensures your credentials and education meet US nursing standards. Popular visa options for nurses wanting to work in the US are the TN visa and EB-3 visa:  

• TN visa – This is a non-immigrant work visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens that allows qualified professionals, including nurses, to work in the USA on a temporary basis. Applicants must have an offer of employment from a healthcare facility and meet specific licensing or credentialing requirements. 
• EB-3 visa – The EB-3 visa, often referred to as Green Card, grants you permanent residency. It allows you to live and work in the US indefinitely and gives you the freedom to change employers after an initial period. 

The visa you apply for will depend on your personal and professional goals and having a recruitment agency like Espirita by your side can help make the process clear and manageable. 

5. Move from the Philippines (or somewhere else) to the USA

Once you have decided to move from the Philippines to the US, it’s important to consider the logistics and practical aspects of relocation, such as moving costs, housing and visa fees.   

With Espirita, this exciting time doesn’t have to be overshadowed by stress. We’re here to support you every step of the way. We help you to plan the logistics of your move and assist with understanding relocation costs, so you can focus on your new role and familiarise yourself with the US healthcare system.   

If you’re a Filipino nurse who already lives abroad in places such as the UAE or Saudi Arabia and you’re planning to apply to work in the US, nursing boards and immigration will consider your Filipino education to assess your eligibility. The assessment will not be based on the place that you currently live and work in.

Why are Filipino nurses moving to the USA? 

Filipino nurses are moving to the USA to advance their careers and to secure a better future for themselves and for their families. As an RN in the USA, there are plenty of opportunities for career growth, with access to advanced healthcare technology, training and specialised roles. On top of the pathways for growth, competitive nursing salaries offer an attractive lifestyle and excellent financial stability for nurses in the USA.   

What salary do Filipino nurses earn in the USA? 

When you become an RN in the US from the Philippines, you can expect to earn a salary between $60,000 to $140,000. This is an average range and pay can fall outside of this estimate, depending on your specific role, working arrangements and experience. For visa purposes, your minimum hourly rate will be around $38 per hour and you’ll have to work a minimum of 38 hours per week.  

Salaries for nurses in the USA are some of the highest for healthcare professionals in the world. When working in the US as a registered Filipino nurse, you enjoy the same competitive pay as US-educated nurses.   

Your salary as a Filipino nurse will depend on different factors, such as location, specialism and the type of organisation you work for. States with a higher cost-of-living like California, New York and Massachusetts pay some of the highest annual nursing salaries in the US. Meanwhile, states with a lower cost of living, such as Michigan and Illinois, are reflective of the cost-of-living expenses.   

Is the US hiring Filipino nurses? 

Healthcare facilities across the US are actively hiring skilled Filipino registered nurses to meet demand, making it an excellent time to explore nursing opportunities in the USA. Filipino nurses make up 4% of the nursing workforce in the USA and California has the highest percentage of Filipino nurses with more than 18%.  

This demand for skilled nurses in the US is expected to grow. An ageing population and a need for more healthcare facilities and services means that there will be a significant shortage of RNs in the US by 2030. It’s expected that the healthcare sector will continue to look to international nurses from places like the Philippines to close this gap. 

How long does it take for a Filipino nurse to start working in the USA?  

It can take anywhere between 12 to 24 months to start working in the USA as a nurse. This is an estimated timeline and the length of time depends on several factors such as:  

• Processing times for licensure and visa applications
• Delays caused by errors or missing information
• Failing and repeating language tests or the NCLEX-RN exam

Partnering with a recruitment agency that specialises in Filipino nurse relocation will help you start working in the US more quickly. At Espirita, our credentialing specialists and immigration lawyers guide you through the complex process of visa and licensure application to avoid unnecessary delays.