How to Choose a Recruitment Agency: A Guide for Nurses in the Philippines

There are over 100 different Philippine nurse recruitment agencies trying to attract recruits with enticing extras—compensation bonuses, free NCLEX reviews, no-cost applications, and more. When you’re looking to make the next step in your nursing career, how do you choose a recruitment agency? How do you know who to trust?? Here’s some essential information to help you make an informed choice.

Firstly, all recruitment companies operating in the Philippines must be licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). You can verify the status of any licensed recruitment agency by visiting the DMW website. This government-managed website provides details on all active, licensed agencies. It’s very important to work with a licensed agency. The licensing process is rigorous, ensuring that agencies comply with laws and have the financial stability, insurance, and operational capacity to support Filipinos seeking overseas employment. If an agency is listed as active on the DMW site, you can feel confident choosing to work with them knowing they are a POEA licensed recruitment agency.

Even when choosing to work with a licensed recruitment agency that has been listed on the DMW website, it’s crucial to verify that anyone representing that agency is genuinely employed there. Each agency employee must be registered with the DMW. Be cautious of recruiters who ask for money in exchange for their services or require deposits; this practice is illegal for agencies that send nurses to the USA. The only fees that are legal for a recruitment agency to charge an applicant are for legitimate immigration expenses, such as visa application fees. But don’t just accept that you have to pay fees to a recruiter – some recruitment agencies don’t charge you any fees at all, so it’s essential to compare what different agencies offer. Even when working with a nurse recruiter near you that has a local Philippines office, don’t pay anything without verifying what the charges are and make sure to request an official receipt.

All U.S. employers wishing to hire Filipinos must work with a licensed recruitment agency based in the Philippines They must all be approved by the Migrant Workers Office (part of the DMW) in Washington, D.C. and must have official Job Orders, which verifies their legitimacy. You can check if a Philippine nurse recruiting agency’s employer has an official Job Order by visiting the DMW site.

Nurses looking to begin a career in the United States need assurance that employers will adhere to laws and regulations in both the U.S. and the Philippines, so it is important to know your rights. Knowing what is legal and illegal is crucial to make sure the nurse recruiter agency you choose to work with is providing you the legal protections throughout the recruitment and employment processes. All workers heading to the U.S. must sign employment contracts approved by MWO and DMW, and employers must honor all promises made in the original contract even when the immigration process takes 2-3 years. The only changes they are allowed to make are to offer improved wages or benefits to reflect wages in the U.S. when you emigrate. Importantly, any dollar amounts listed as penalties for early contract termination (often referred to as “Liquidated Damages”) are no longer allowed in the U.S., so be aware that a contract that lists liquidated damages is illegal. Make sure that you are wary of all their other practices and promises to recruits. The best way to choose a recruitment agency that will protect you legally is to look for companies owned or managed by people who have gone through the immigration process themselves.

Another important factor to consider in how to choose a recruitment agency is the employer they work with. For nursing positions, employers vary widely: Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), hospitals, assisted living centers, doctors’ offices, clinics, and home health services are common. These can be further categorized as nonprofit or for-profit, large or small, urban or rural. If you have specific goals for where to work as a nurse, look for recruitment agencies that offer positions in the type of facility and location where you want to work. But also be flexible – as the specific location you seek may not need nurses in 2 to 3 years.

You also need to know what the legal minimum pay rates will be. Pay rates for nurses depend largely on location (state and city) and the cost of living there, as well as the demand for nurses in that area. California and New York offer the highest pay rates but also have the highest costs of living. Conversely, lower pay rates in other areas may provide more disposable income due to lower living costs. All employers must pay at least the official Prevailing Wage in the U.S. – prevailing wages protect foreign registered nurses by ensuring that they are making a fair amount compared to other nurses native to the United States.

There are so many things to consider when figuring out how to choose a recruitment agency. When considering U.S. job offers, look for agencies that provide experienced recruiters in the Philippines, free NCLEX reviews, assistance with forms, free legal immigration help, complimentary airport transportation, at least one or two months of free housing, help with securing a Social Security number, free training, onboarding assistance, and a dedicated contact person throughout your contract. Additionally, choose employers with good reputations for treating Filipino workers well and a history free of contract violation lawsuits. Looking for a good international nurse recruitment agency to work with? Get in touch with Aguinaldo today!