Embracing Strength and Dignity: Navigating Life's Challenges (Proverbs 31:25)

Life, with all its beauty and complexity, often presents us with a series of challenges that test our inner strength and resilience. As women, we wear many hats—mothers, daughters, professionals, caregivers, and so much more. In the midst of our multifaceted roles, it's easy to lose sight of our own worth and the strength that lies within us. Yet, in the timeless words of Proverbs 31:25, we are reminded: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come."

This powerful verse offers a beacon of light in the face of life's challenges. Let's delve deeper into its wisdom and explore how it resonates with our journeys.

The Beauty of Inner Strength:

Life's challenges can often leave us feeling vulnerable and unsure of ourselves. However, Proverbs 31:25 encourages us to clothe ourselves in strength and dignity. It reminds us that within us lies a wellspring of resilience, courage, and fortitude. The strength we possess is not just physical—it's the unwavering determination to overcome obstacles, the courage to rise after a fall, and the tenacity to pursue our dreams against all odds.

Dignity in Adversity:

Dignity is a quality that radiates from within, regardless of circumstances. It's the ability to carry oneself with grace and self-respect, even in the face of adversity. When challenges threaten to shake our foundation, we can draw inspiration from the dignity depicted in Proverbs 31:25. It reminds us to hold our heads high, remain steadfast in our values, and approach difficulties with a sense of poise and self-assuredness.

Facing the Unknown with Laughter:

The verse's assertion that she "laughs at the time to come" is a testament to a heart that remains unburdened by worry. Life is filled with uncertainties, but instead of succumbing to fear, we are invited to greet the unknown with a spirit of joy and anticipation. This laughter is not one of naivety, but a celebration of our ability to find hope and positivity, even when circumstances seem daunting.

Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges:

As we juggle our various roles, challenges arise in both our personal and professional lives. We may encounter setbacks in our careers, experience health struggles, or face interpersonal conflicts. Proverbs 31:25 encourages us to approach these challenges with the same strength and dignity that define us. It reminds us that our journey is not defined by the obstacles we face, but by how we navigate and overcome them.

Creating a Legacy of Strength:

Each challenge we overcome contributes to the legacy we leave behind. When we stand strong and dignified in the face of adversity, we inspire those around us—our children, friends, colleagues—to do the same. Our ability to laugh at the uncertainties of the future sets a tone of hope and resilience, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our own lives.

Proverbs 31:25 serves as a timeless reminder of the inherent strength and dignity that lie within every woman. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to clothe ourselves in these qualities, to face adversity with grace, and to greet the unknown with laughter. Let this verse be a guiding light, inspiring us to embrace our unique journeys with unwavering courage, unshakeable dignity, and a heart full of joyful anticipation. Through every trial and triumph, we emerge stronger, more resilient, and deeply empowered.
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How to Request for a Certificate of Good Standing from Saudi Council (SCFHS)

For Ex-Saudi nurses who are currently applying for registration in other countries (like Qatar, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and more), you would most likely be asked for a Certificate of Good Standing. This is usually submitted as a proof that you have a clean track record while working as a nurse in KSA.

If you are still in Saudi Arabia, you can ask this from the hospital you are working. Most hospitals usually process this for free before your final exit. However, if your company does not process this or you are already outside Saudi Arabia, you can go to the SCFHS website to request for your Certificate of Good Standing (COGS).

Step 1: On the SCFHS website, go to E-Services > Additional E-Services List > Registration. Then click, Request a certificate of good standing.
Certificate of Good Standing

Step 2:  You will then be asked for your Registration Number (printed on your Saudi License). When you type your registration number, make sure that you do not include the hyphen (-) on your registration number. For instance, instead of 15-J-M-0063790, type it as 15JM0063790.
Certificate of Good Standing

Step 3: Afterwards click Next, Under Check Information, you will now see your name and validation date (when your license will expire). Below that, you will need to put your email address (where the COGS will be sent) and your mobile number (must be a Saudi mobile number). If you do not have one, you can ask for the mobile number of a friend in Saudi who will make the payment for you.

Step 4: Under Required Service, select 'Good Standing' then click 'Add Service'. After that click Next.
Certificate of Good Standing

Step 5: You will now see the total price of the Good Standing Certificate which costs 300 SR and under that is the Account Number which will be needed in paying for your certificate.
Certificate of Good Standing
Step 6: At this point, you can ask a friend or relative in Saudi Arabia to pay this in any ATM machines thru SADAD payments. Just choose Saudi Council for Health Specialties (SCFHS) as the biller (code is 129), then enter the Account Number given to you upon requesting the COGS.

Once the payment has been made, your Certificate of Good Standing (in PDF) will be emailed to you within the day.

And you're done! You can just print the Certificate if you need a hard copy.

Hope this post helped you. God bless!
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Complete Guide on NMC Full Application and Assessment (with additional info for Ex-Saudi Filipino Nurses)

The next step after passing the CBT would be the Full Application and Assessment Stage which requires you to upload scanned documents and complete barcoded forms that needs to be mailed to NMC.

But first, you have to wait for the confirmation email of NMC which will be sent on your email address. You will usually receive the email the day after your exam, but for some candidates it reaches until 2-3 days. If you do not receive the email on the third day, you can email NMC at overseas.enquiries@nmc-uk.org or call them at +44 020 7333 6600.

Upon receiving the confirmation email, you may now log-in on the NMC Registration website to pay for the Application fee that costs 140 British Pounds (which is almost 9 Thousand Pesos). After payment, NMC will then send you an email telling you that they already received the application fee.

Before you start uploading anything, please make sure you have all the documentary evidences you need and download all the barcoded forms on each section.

A. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCES (these will be uploaded on your NMC portal)

 I. PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION
  • Passport
  • NSO Birth Certificate
  • Marriage Certificate (if you are married)
  • Change of Deed/Deed Poll Certificates (if you changed your name)
II. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
  • Qualification Certificate - Diploma (BS Nursing)
III. POST QUALIFICATION REGISTRATION
  • Registration Certificate - PRC Board Certificate
  • Police Certificate - NBI Clearance (must be issued within the last 3 months)
FOR EX-SAUDI NURSES:
  • Registration Certificate - SCFHS Professional Accreditation Certificate + Official Translation + Declaration of Translation
  • Police Certificate - Saudi Police Clearance 
If you do not have a Saudi Police Clearance and it is impossible for you to acquire one, write first a personal statement declaring that it would be hard for you to get a Police Clearance since you are already outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and you do not have any representative or known relatives there. After making a personal statement, notarize this document. Afterwards, get an official translation of your Exit Stamp or Exit Visa with a Declaration of Translation from the translator. In summary, you need Notarized Personal Statement + Exit Stamp/Visa + Official Translation + Declaration of Translation.

REMINDERS:
  • Please make sure that all the scanned documents are in PDF format. Also, the size for each file must be less than 25MB.
  • Click 'Save and Exit' upon uploading documents on each category. Errors usually appear when you try to Save or Submit all documents at once.
  • If you uploaded a wrong document and re-uploaded a new one, there's a possibility that the previous document will still be reflected on your portal. To avoid confusion, just call or email NMC to clarify which document they see on the system.

B. FORMS TO BE MAILED TO NMC

I. FORM TO ACCOMPANY TRANSCRIPT OF TRAINING
This needs to be completed by the university you graduated from. In my case, I went to the College of Nursing and they already know what to do. They usually attach ORIGINAL Transcript of Records, breakdown of Theoretical and Clinical training hours, and Related Learning Experience Certificate.

 *Some Colleges/University offer to send it directly to NMC, but I chose to send it myself to lessen the mailing expenses.

II. REGISTRATION AUTHORITY VERIFICATION FORM
Bring the form to a PRC branch near your location and ask for a State Board Verification. The fee is only 75 Pesos plus 25 Pesos for the stamp and mailing envelope which amounts to 100 Pesos all in all. You can also tell PRC that you will be sending the form to avoid paying a separate courier fee.

 FOR EX-SAUDI NURSES:
If you do not have someone who could go to a Saudi Council Office for you, you can send NMC a blank RAV form with a Personal Statement why it can't be completed and a copy of your Certificate of Good Standing (which must be issued within the last 3 months).
How to Get a Good Standing Certificate in Saudi Council.

 III. EMPLOYER REFERENCE FORM 1 AND 2
These forms must be completed by a Senior Nurse or a Doctor who supervised you for at least a year. If you have several work experiences, choose the two most recent employment. But it is also fine if you get references from only one hospital (provided that it is your most recent employment).

FOR EX-SAUDI NURSES:
Ask a friend back in Saudi to print the Employer Reference Form. Afterwards, send them a picture of a filled out form for them to copy what they should write. Please be mindful of the County/State in your Reference Form. This should be the Province/Region, for example, Jeddah City is under Makkah Province. You can check your Professional Accreditation Certificate to see what SCFHS provincial branch is stamped on it. Then, search and verify it online if it is the province or region of your city.

 After completing the forms, ask someone to send it back home so that you will not pay for a separate courier fee from Saudi to NMC.

IV. DECLARATION OF GOOD HEALTH
This must be completed by a Registered Medical Practitioner who had examined you in the last six months or by the Occupational Health Department Representative in your current employment. This must be also issued within the last 3 months.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:
  • Make sure that all the information written on the forms is the same with the information typed on your portal (dates, numbers, names, job titles, etc.).
  • If you only have the the documents for the portal but have not completed the forms yet, I recommend that you just save it first. Don't click 'Submit' yet since your application will not be placed in the assessment queue until they receive all the barcoded forms.
  • If you have completed all forms, you can now click 'Submit'. After submitting, you will receive an email stating that your application was successfully submitted and your portal will now be 'Read Only'.

  • I recommend availing the service of DHL Express. It only took them 3 days to send my documents.
  • Once NMC updates your portal that they have received your documents, that means you are already in the assessment queue (start of Day 1).
  • According to NMC, assessment lasts from 40 to 70 working days.
At this point the waiting game starts. This moment, I would say, can make you both anxious and excited. I, personally, am just so happy and thankful to God that I already reached this stage. I know that He is in control of everything down to the little details of my application.

I sometimes think about my incomplete Saudi documents and somehow be bothered by it, but when I think about the Lord, I am reminded of the great things He has done in my life. He is a God that can make the impossible, possible. So I put my trust in Him and just wait for His perfect timing. :)

For those who are still processing their requirements for this stage, I pray that God will make a way for your documents to be processed faster. For those who are already waiting for their Decision Letter, I pray that God will move upon the assessment queue and make the waiting time shorter. :)

I hope this post helped you somehow in your application journey. I will be updating this when I receive my DL. God bless!

 UPDATE (JANUARY 2018): 

Hi Guys! Sorry for the late update. Was so busy last year that I haven't had the chance to update or post anything on this site. For those who were asking, Yes, I am already in the UK and by the grace of God I passed the OSCE this month. I am finally a UKRN now. Weeee!

Anyways,  regarding my DL, I received an email last August 2017 with a request for additional information about my employment history. I just uploaded my CV under additional ID and half an hour later, I already received my DL. That was 36 working days after my queue date.

A lot had happened during my season of waiting, before my papers entered the assessment queue, one of my documents were missing. It took them 2 weeks to find it. Our flight was also delayed because of some issues with the agencies. Then, the anxiety in taking the OSCE (yung feeling na walang katapusan yung exam, yung bakit kelangan mo pang kumuha nang practical exam eh napasa mo nman yung computerized exam, yung hindi pa ba sapat lahat? haha). But God is so faithful in His promises and He answered all my prayers.

I cannot really share information about my exam because I signed a disclosure form and there are nurses who were revoked of their PINs because of sharing information. However, what I can advice for those who will be taking the OSCE, is to be confident while speaking, to make sure that you are communicating clearly and to always prioritize patient's safety. Most importantly, commit everything to the Lord. In Jeremiah 17:7, God said "But I will bless the person who puts his trust in me." So, just trust in His promises! God bless you future UKRNs!
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