What's next?

I posted this question in a forum thread for MD-RNs and and also at a yahoogroup for my batch in MD-RN program:

Can anybody give me an advice on the best next step? My NCLEX was filed in another state, and I plan to seek endorsement to my current state, but my certificate will come later pa, around one month daw. Does anyone suggest that I seek employment right away while waiting for my certificate and even prior to seeking endorsement? As what (e.g., patient technician??? or should I just submit application for purposes of getting my name on file?) I am still holding on to my MT job only to see me through the waiting period, but I wonder if I should be doing something else with my time (like do you suggest I take some refresher course, or do they usually offer training in hospitals to fill in the gap in your knowledge? Or are these issues safe to discuss with the HRD? Kasi, 3 years na akong walang exposure sa clinical/hospital setting, parang napupurol na ako).

Answers:

I'm sure that with the shortage of Nursing in so many states (including Maine) that you will find some hospitals there that will be willing to give you some hands-on training while waiting for your license. It does not hurt to ask HRD's as you have the upper hand with an NCLEX out of the way. Of course if you can get the basic certifications (even from Red Cross) like BLS/CPR (would help). You are a gold mine for these hospitals so they will accomodate you and many of these hospitals have their own orientation and training period as long as you tell them the areas wherein you are not confident.
Looking ahead and if you dont want to take USMLE, CRNA might be an option (but it takes a longer path). I have a sister-in-law who is an NP and they do well also.

with a followup:

This advice is golden. Consider seriously the CRNA route manang. Its longer but certainly its going to be rewarding in the long run. On getting a job as a nurse, wag ka ng mag floors (para short cut), ask around for hospitals that need ICU nurses. There are hospitals that accept even fresh graduates for ICU, this is after training them for 3 months. Shop around, network with filipino nurse managers, and do this for 1-2 years. During your stay in the ICU, pass the CCRN, mani na lang yan sayo dahil MD tayo. Most CRNA school prefer CVICU experience (kasi dito me Swan cath, intra aortic baloon pump, lots of pressors, arterial lines etc.....) trabaho mo parang intern sa Pilipinas.

After 1-2 years, you can apply to CRNA school, mandatory kasi 1 year ICU experience. Impress them during interviews. You need to pass din pala the GRE (kayang kaya to! dont worry bout it! kung kaya nga ng mga 40 year old na puti mas kaya mo!). The CCRN is a certification for Critical Care Nursing, kayang kaya din ito. Same principle din ang application for schools, parang MLE apply broadly and early so you have more interviews.

Now for tuition fees, you can loan them. School is around 2 1/2 years parang residency na walang bayad. With the salary the CRNA makes, sus wala pang kalahating taon bayad na loan mo. Tutal when you are doing ICU experience, me sweldo kana, medyo mataas pa nga ata ang rate mo kesa floor nurses, pwede ka ng mag-ipon, if you dont have family restrictions, overtime ng overtime para makaipon at makabawi!

After school theres a certification exam, boards ba...Again, we've been there, your experience as an MD should help you. Of course this is not to say you dont have to study. This is serious stuff for them, so take it seriously din.

I know you can make it! Proud of all the MD-RN's who take up this route!

The thing about being an NP, oks lang pero sa halos same time commitment with school pero lower pay parin siya compared to CRNA, there's also the issue of respectability. We'll yeah this is just me. I figured kasi kung pareho lang ang pagod e dun kana sa mas more compensated ka.

Mahaba nato.....Sige manang congratulations and goodluck to your future endeavors....

Another advice:

I do not know if pareho ang situation natin, but when I passed the NCLEX last year I cannot get my licince as wala pa akong SSS no at tourist lang ako so with the Notice fron the BON that I passed I walked in to some big Medicval centers and asked if they could pititioin me and when finally one of them responded and had thier corporate lawyer work on my application, I got my work permit and that is the time I got my licence, mentime I took PALS, BLS and NRP to wjile my time.

I have looked into certification programs for ACLS/PALS...and of course, employment opps in nearby hospitals and their requirements.