Nurse Recruits from Philippines, Solution to RN Shortage in Mercer

Mercer Business, Dec 01, 2003 by MacNeill, Donald

"The recruitment of nurses from the Philippines has a long, successful history in the United States," says Beth Mil, RN, MA, director of Capital Health System's Critical Care Services, who spearheaded CHS's Philippine nurse recruitment effort and who was also a foreign nurse recruit 20 years ago. "But today, it takes some 12 to 18 months before qualified nurses in the Philippines can begin work here."

To qualify, each candidate must be an actively practicing, licensed Philippine nurse with at least two years of experience. Applicants must successfully pass a series of exams, among them: The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools exam, an NCLEX State Board of Nursing exam, and two English language tests. These results are forwarded along with other documents to the US Embassy, where candidates undergo a screening interview.

"Applicants who successfully complete this process receive a permanent stay petition making them eligible to apply for American citizenship after five years," says Mil. "We're pleased about that, because we want to nurture these new nurses and develop long-term relationships with them."

October 3, 2003 was a memorable day for Emmanuel Diaz, RN, BSN, of the Philippines. It was the nurse's first day in a new country. Diaz, who will work on 8 East, a med-surg unit, is the first nurse to begin work at Capital Health System (CHS) following an ambitious hospital recruitment campaign in the Philippines.

"I'm very proud to be here," says Diaz. "I've been overwhelmed by how accommodating everyone has been. When people hear that I'm from another country, they really go out of their way to make me feel at home."

For Diaz, the move to America is the fulfillment of a life-long dream.

"My father worked for an American company in Manila and my brother worked at the American Embassy," says Diaz. "I grew up with a great appreciation for the American way of life and for the way my father was treated as an employee of an American company."

Diaz determined that the easiest way to gain entry to America was as a nurse, but it was a career choice that also satisfied his desire to help people in need. "Nursing has helped me reach my personal goals while also benefiting others," says Diaz.

Until he is better acquainted with the Trenton area, Diaz is living in the nursing dormitory on the Mercer Campus. "It's lonely at the top," he laughs jokingly, referring to his solitary occupancy of the third floor.

But chances are, Diaz won't be alone for long. He is the first of 40 Philippine nurses who are expected to join the CHS staff.

Approximately 20 of these candidates are now awaiting the final step in the long immigration process - their U.S. Embassy interviews. Two more nurses are expected to arrive at CHS by the end of year: Woody Jonathan Rosales, RN, BSN, who will also work on 8 East, and Sophia Siy, RN, BSN, who will join the staff in Telemetry. There is a chance that Diaz's sister, currently a nurse in Boston, may also join the staff at CHS.

Diaz will start extensive clinical orientation as a nursing resident and begin work as an RN on 8 East after passing the NJ State Board Exams for Registered Nurses.

To help him adapt to American life, several CHS employees have volunteered to acquaint him with routines such as grocery shopping, banking and other practical, day-to-day necessities.

What does Diaz foresee as his greatest challenge? Coming from a tropical country, the cool autumn weather tops the list. "I'm bracing myself for winter," he laughs, thankful that his sister in Boston recently visited, bringing a jacket for him to wear. "I've never worn a jacket in my life."

Diaz is looking forward to practicing nursing in this country. "In the Philippines, there isn't always enough money for new equipment or medications. Patients must typically provide their own bed linens and other supplies," he said. "it is so difficult to make a living in the Philippines that many physicians obtain nursing licenses in order to take advantage of the opportunities that exist overseas. I encourage foreign nurses to come to the United States where they can take advantage of the technology and the patient care resources that allow them to maximize their knowledge and skills," he says.