MANILA, Philippines – More Filipino nurses are looking at the United States (US) to practice their profession, as the number of nurses who registered for the US licensure examinations increased by 23% in 2017.

According to recent statistics by the US National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Philippines again topped the number of foreigners applying for the US nursing licensure exam in 2017. A total of 7,791 nurses applied for the first time – 23% higher than the 2016 figure of 6,322. 

The Philippines is followed by India (1,305), Puerto Rico (820), South Korea (749), and Jamaica (586).

Nurses who aspire to practice their profession in the US need to take the National Council Licensure Examination.

ACTS-OFW Representative Aniceto Bertiz said on Saturday, May 19, that the 2017 figure showed that Filipinos are the “most persistent” job hunters in the US.

“Compared to other countries, many Filipino nurses still prefer the US because, apart from the superior hourly pay, they also find it easier to work and live there, considering our cultural affinity with America,” Bertiz said in a statement.

Bertiz also said that Nigerians and Cubans compete with Filipinos in the US nursing labor market.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of registered nurses in America in 2017 amounts to $70,000 (P3.66 million) per year, or $33.65 (P1,760) per hour.

In the Philippines, entry-level public hospital nurses are entitled to a compensation of P344,074 ($6,578.22) annually, excluding other benefits and allowances granted under the Magna Carta of Public Health.

According to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, 92,277 nurses have left the country to work abroad since 2012. This translates to about 19,000 nurses leaving every year. (READ: Why our nurses are leaving) – Rappler.com

*$1 = P52.30