Great news for Filipino would-be nurses! I read that Pearson VUE, a computer-based testing provider for certification and licensure exams, will be opening up a testing center in Manila. This means that nursing graduates who aspire to work in the USA need not go to Hongkong for the Nclex examinations.

From the website:

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®) authorized Pearson VUE to expand testing availability for the NCLEX examination to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Exam delivery begins at the Pearson VUE-owned and -operated Pearson Professional Center in Manila on August 23, 2007 and exam scheduling opens Friday, July 13, 2007.

I think this is the most logical thing to do, since the US is experiencing a severe shortage of nurses and young Filipinos are out to fill that gap by the thousands per year. The money they save from not having to go to Hongkong can be well spent on their travel expenses leaving for the United States. Makes sense, eh?

You may reach the new test center at:

Pearson Professional Centers
27th Floor, Trident Tower
312 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue,
Makati City,
Manila
Telephone Number: +63 2 887 2198

Directions:

From Buendia LRT Station take a Guadalupe-bound jeepney. Trident Tower is located immediately after the old Shell Maya station, just off the Ayala-Buendia stoplight. Examinees coming from EDSA (Buendia MRT or Guadalupe Tulay) should take an LRT-Taft-bound jeepney and alight just before the Ayala Avenue – Malugay intersection. Those coming in from Ayala Avenue should walk towards Buendia via Geronimo Street (RCBC Plaza and Metrobank GT Towers)

Applicants in the Asia Pacific (Philippines included) who wish to schedule an exam should call +612 9478 5400 (EXT. 3) 8:30 am-6 pm. By dialing this number, you are making a long distance call to Australia. There is no local number available yet. You must also have a credit card ready to pay the scheduling fee.

The first batch of examinees will take the NCLEX on August 23, 2007. I gather that there are still many slots available, but some scheduled their dates in September or later.

For those who are set to take the exams in Hongkong on or after August 23, you may call the number above and have them transfer your venue to the Philippines free of charge.

For examinees coming in from the provinces, there are some hotels in the vicinity you might want to consider:

Makati Palace Hotel (currently 50% off room rates)
5011 P. Burgos corner Caceres Streets
Makati City
Tel: (02) 899-0344

Century Citadel Inn
5007 P. Burgos St. and Kalayaan St.
Bel-Air
Makati City
Tel: (02) 897-2370, (02) 897-2666

Salcedo Suites ($33/night)
LPL Manor Building, 116 L.P. Leviste Street,
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel: (02) 893-2654 / (02) 813-6331

Regine’s
339 Gil J Puyat Ave.
Makati City
Tel: (02) 899-9594

El Cielito (kinda far, but not really)
804 Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road)
Makati City, Philippines
Tel. No.: (02) 815-8951 to 54

It’s recommended to check in at least a night before and not on the day of exam itself. The NCLEX isn’t easy, you’ll need all the rest you can get! To save on lodging fees, share with someone else who’s taking the test on the same day as you. Good luck!

PRC Nursing Board Exam Results