As a former people-helping professional in NA, and after having applied as master's level trainer at a nursing college in Manila (22,000 pisos/month or about $400/month for super long hours, etc.), and observing and knowing some physician 'friends' and others here, let me add what I do know.
Permanent or fulltime temporary work in the medical system here may be super hard to find, especially if you don't have money. It's my considered opinion that the plum jobs go to friends and family of people who call the shots, whether at university hospitals, clinics and otherwise.
Although your RN status will carry more weight here than will most RNs locally trained, you're in super stiff competition where friendships and favours add much to who gets work.
Money.
Especially at the entry level, you will likely only be paid a wee bit over minimum wage that in that profession likely is about 400-500 pesos a day (US$10). For the average filipino, that is not bad, and far above the average of about 200-400/day. In other words, you can scrape by on that, but they will 'tax' you in other ways if they can. Your western origins = 'rich person' status immediately. If you flash around your plastic cards, you will be seen as rich even if you owe big bucks on them. Of such simpleness are the majority of these peoples (not one group at all!). Behind the friendly smiles at a casual level is interest in your status, a target on your back.
Unless in the ER, shifts are long and, and depending on what dept., perhaps super boring. Unless you have an outgoing, sincere personality, it's likely you will get stuck in sth no one else wants, and likely won't further your career. But everything in life is a crapshoot, and you never know what might happen. A better plan could be to work in your country for 1-2 years, save as much as you can, and then come over to spend time not nec. in your profession, but as a visitor wanting to travel and experience things. But to live comfortably even close to what you are used to, you will need at least 40,000 pesos / month, and that might stretch you somewhat depending on your lifestyle requirements. With pinoy landlords, things can get rugged because almost everything in the country is done sloppily at best, and so many expats here have fallback positions at much better digs in expat compounds, that is, if you can find any.
I've lived in the Phils now over 12 years, taught at a small university, worked parttime as an 'expensive' consultant (800p/hour), and learned many things of the culture and how this society works (and doesn't work). It's a trip to say the least, but as the money is so bad re. work, might be better to work at home, save, and once here volunteer in some way that fulfills you, and not nec. any system.
Your English will help you, as English is spoken by everyone with a high-school diploma, but most uneducated men - maybe 40% of the populace - won't have a clue about what you are saying. Picking up a working knowledge of a local lingo is very useful.
There are two main strata here, that structures what you will experience once over here. The chinoy or Chinese filipinos who own pretty well everything, and oppress the rest, and the malay or indian pinoy who in general are a simple people with few dreams past a plate of rice, a rooster and a beer. Their women tend to work at dead-end under-employed jobs, and in many if not most cases exist for their men (if they have one) and their kids. The ratio of 1 man to every 3 women is so imbalanced that you might understand why so many filipinas are single and try to work abroad, why so many of the more industrious men are seamen away from home 3-9 months at a time. If you want to learn more, ask to talk to some of your local pinay who work in your local bank, restaurant, pharmacy, hotel, stores and shops. They will quickly inform you about how life is in their home country, city and town, or mountain/seaside provinces.
Where to go?
What do you want to experience? Big city? Village? Small city? Rural setting? Beach, mountain? Expats, locals? North, south? Think on this and maybe some of us can help?
Hope this wee bit helps...
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