Archive for the ‘Filipino Nurses’ Category

SKOKIE, Ill — When Cecilia Buenaflor came to Chicago aftershe left the Philippines in 1992, she was on her own. The newcomer, who hadworked at a New York hospital, did not know anyone. As a single parent, she wasstruggling to balance motherhood and the demand to earn a living, and being8,000 miles away from home didn’t help.

“Economically, I cannot survive in the Philippines justbeing a nurse,” Buenaflor said. “I have a family that I have to support.”

Working as a nurse at a senior living facility in thePhilippines, Buenaflor was paid $10 an hour. With two young daughters at homeand an extended family back in her homeland to support, it was a “tough” timefor her, she said.

“But as long as you work hard, you will be rewarded,”Buenaflor said of her philosophy.

Now, she is the president and chief executive officer ofLife Home Health Care in Skokie, an agency that provides nursing at-homeservices to patients. Her company ranks in the top 6 percent in home healthagencies in the United States and employs between 50 and 60 nurses, mostly Filipinos and many of them Skokie residents, she said.

Sitting in her corner office in the company’s building atGross Point Road and Lincoln Avenue, Buenaflor reflects on her career path,noting her father pushed her into a nursing career.

After World War II, the aspiration to achieve the Americandream became a driving force for the influx of nurses from the Philippines, aU.S. prize from the Spanish-American War in 1898 until gaining independence in1946. The Exchange Visitor Program, and later the immigration reform of 1965,enabled Filipino nurses into the U.S. to fulfill their dreams. Their successpersuaded relatives and friends to follow, starting a cycle that continuesdespite tighter economic times and immigration rules.

For many Filipino families facing economic hardship at home,a nursing degree is seen as a ticket to financial security, Buenaflor said. Outof the 21,500 foreign nurses who applied for accreditation in 2005, more thanhalf came from the Philippines, a National Council of State Boards of Nursingstudy found.
That culture of compassion translates to a favorable level of care to thepatients, said Marlyn Bermudez, another Philippine-trained nurse and a Skokieresident since 1992.

“That is really our passion that our forefathers taught us,”she said. “We learned it at home first, then we came to America.”

Bermudez, from the southern island of Mindanao, is impartingthe same lessons to her nursing staff at Living Waters Home Health Care, whichshe co-owns with two partners.

Bermudez said when she started working in a Chicago hospitalin 1991, many of her nursing colleagues were also Filipinos. Now, more than 80percent of nurses and physical therapists at her agency are Filipino.

She observed that many Filipino parents encouraged theirchildren to go into the medical field, noting, “They saw that there’s really aneed for nurses abroad.”

But long before Buenaflor and Bermudez came to the U.S., theimmigration path was already cleared for them by nurses like Lydia Schreiber, anative of Aklan in central Philippines. Schreiber came to the U.S. in 1964 aspart of the Exchange Visitor Program and worked for more than three years atthe Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Schreiber is one of the most senior visiting nurses at theSkokie-based Life Home Health Care. For 26 years, she worked at a Chicagocommunity facility, now called Kindred Hospital.

As a hospital nurse, Schreiber’s work assignments rangedfrom the intensive care unit to the surgery room to the chemical dependencyunit. She said she never refused any task, citing the Filipino culture ofsacrifice and hard work for her success.

Schreiber acknowledged she was among those in thePhilippines lured by the “glowing” image of America: “You are young, and yougraduated from nursing, and you think, ‘Oh boy! I must go to America!’ “

Her expectations were met especially because, “I found myhusband. I got married,” she said with a giggle in recalling meeting herhusband during her time in Minnesota.

That American dream became even more alluring, as thePhilippine economy staggered during the late 1990s and early part of thiscentury.

Encouraged by the demand and attractive jobs in the U.S.,many Philippine universities expanded their nursing programs and enrollmentskyrocketed. Even medical doctors moved into the field rather than spendadditional years as hospital residents in order to practice.

But as the number of nursing graduates has ballooned, hiringhas slowed down significantly. Due to the severe economic downturn, demand inthe U.S. and elsewhere has dropped. A very long wait to immigrate to the U.S.is also building up because of retrogression.

The U.S. National Council of State Boards of Nursingreported a mid-year drop of more than 30 percent in Filipino nurses taking theNational Council Licensure Examination. It said only 5,533 Filipino nurses tookthe test as of June, down from 8,272 in 2009.

Given those statistics and the economy, will the flow ofFilipino nurses come to a halt? Or is this just the ebb before the next wave?

Buenaflor is optimistic about the prospects for those fromher homeland. “People in the medical profession will always have a job,” shesaid.

Filipino Nurses

Today, I decided to really give Filipino nurses allthe credit they should have because of their extra ordinary skills that makes Philippines andall Filipinos around the world to be proud of them.

Nursing is quite a popular and most sought after career orcourse in the Philippines. Nursing in the Philippines careerreally exploded by numbers. So many students, youth in general really thinksand believe that this is the career and the path they should take in this kindof times.

There are so many reasons why Filipinos really want to takethe nursing path. Number one of those reasons is that this is an in demand andhigh paying nursing jobabroad.

As we all know, nursing or Filipino nurses arein demand abroad. Rich and quite populated countries like United States,Canada and some European and UAE states prefer Filipino nurses becauseof the knowledge and the good heart they are showing at their job.

According to statistics, In the United States alone, thedemand for nurses is estimated at 600,000 between now and 2020. Thisis such a huge number considering a large percentage of it will be coming from Philippines.

Also, because of this numbers and statistics, many Filipinosprefer to study here in the Philippines then later, work or apply asa nurse abroad. Also, it was also a common knowledge to all of us that somedoctors are already diving in the nursing world for them to be able to workabroad.

Quality knowledge, a good and helping heart and veryhardworking personality is what makes Filipinonurses stand out with other foreign nurses. This is a trait orpersonality that can’t be teached nor acquire through schools or by studying ina somewhat, state of the art facilities.

This is why I can say that nurses in thePhilippines is a world class professionals. They just need to be takencare of by the Philippine government for them to showcases their talent andskills here in the Philippines before going abroad.

Related article:

July 2010 Nursing Board Exam

Filipino nurses are arguably the best health care workers in the world.

As someone who has traveled to 60 countries andlived in several continents, I can attest to the character of the wonderfulFilipino people. Filipinos culturally genuinely care about people.

I have traveled to the islands of Luzon, Mindanaoand Surigao and was warmly greeted and welcomed by Filipinos in each place. Thelitmus test however was when I was serving at a local church one month during abrief visit. Upon being discouraged by the Pastor's inability to invite andwelcome new people to church, I decided to go door to door throughout theneighborhood on foot.

I was shocked and so surprised to experience thewarmth and hospitality of the Filipino community and people. Nearly every homeI visited respectfully welcomed me in and treated me like royalty, providing methe utmost hospitality, often serving refreshments and earnestly listening tomy every word. Such kindness would rarely happen in Western countries if anabsolute stranger and foreigner showed up at the door for conversation.

Filipinos however are sweet, sincere and very kindpeople. This is why Filipino nurses are notably recognized and esteemedthroughout the world, because they are professional and innately caring towardpeople.

As someone who was raised by my grandparents andcared for them in their old age, I know the intense challenges involved inhealth care and the amount of patience required when caring for the sick,elderly and terminally ill.

I also know what it is like to be sick and dying,as I had typhoid in Thailand and for a few days nobody knew what was wrong withme. Meanwhile my kidneys were shutting down, my urine was brown like Coca-Colaand my body ached with pain.

I was so angry when for a few weeks my grandmotherwas neglected in a nursing home, which she had to remain in while undergoingrehabilitation after a horrible fall that caused her to break her hip.

My Nana (grandma) had sores on her feet becauseshe was not being rotated and given opportunity to move around and keep hercirculation and blood flowing.

I believe American nursing homes are oftenunderstaffed and the workers under paid. Hence the health care is often poorand the nurses resentful toward the companies they work for.

Nevertheless tenderhearted Filipinos graciouslyhave a way to kindly look beyond these industry challenges and focus on thesuffering patients for whom they were hired to care.

For this reason I esteem, honor and admireFilipino nurses and as a world traveling motivational speaker who knows what itis like to live overseas want to offer myself to help Filipino nurses livingabroad and seeking to succeed in this world, while lovingly serving humanity.

Here is what I am willing to do for Filipino nurses:
1. Provide global property and real estateinvestment advice and help you buy your first home. 

2. Provide life and relational coaching.

3. Provide counsel regarding personal safety whenliving abroad.

4. Provide consultation for additional career andfinancial opportunities.

God bless the wonderful Filipino nurses throughoutthe world (often away from their families) to serve humanity and be a blessingto the suffering and elderly in need of goodhearted health care.

Paul F Davis

http://www.Facebook.com/speakers4inspiration
http://www.PaulFDavis.com
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Paul F. Davis is a Global Property Specialist,Green Homes and Buildings Consultant and Debt Arbitrator for financial freedom.

Paul is the author of 18 books and a worldwidespeaker who has touched 60 countries building bridges cross-culturally byjoyfully disarming and empowering people throughout the earth to transcendtheir limitations and live their dreams!

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More andmore Filipino nurses are now opting to work in the United Kingdom than in theUnited States, according to local recruiters.

Citingdata from the UK Borders and Immigration Agency, recruitment leaders yesterdaysaid that the number of Filipino nurses deployed to UK in the past three yearshas already surpassed those deployed to the US in the same period.

From 2007to 2009, an annual average of 7,000 Filipino nurses flew to UK under a studyand work program that allowed them to study and work there at the same time.Data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), on theother hand, showed that less than 300 registered Filipino nurses went to the USto work during the three-year period.

Recruiters noted that Filipino nurses aspiring to work in theUnited States have to wait five to seven years for H 1-B working visas andbetween two to three years for EB 3 (immigrant visas) before they can enter theUS.

Those hoping to study and work in UK can leave the countrywithin six months.

Recruitment leaders further noted that the recent expansion ofthe UK study programs may give wider opportunities to thousands more Filipinos,including non-healthcare workers.

The imposition of new rules for Tier 4 student visa applicationsearly this year may also favor Filipino nurses who want to be registered nursesand become permanent residents there.

Filipino nurses are now moving more towards the United Kingdominstead of going to United States in last few years as the immigration policiesin United Kingdom are more liberal than in United States.  The reason forthis is the study and work program provided by the British health service sincelast four years for the foreign nurses which gives them a better and widerexposure of their field.

To work for the United States, Filipinonurses have to wait till they become eligible for H1-B working visa (which wouldtake around five to seven years) and EB-3 immigrant visa before they enter US.However, in United Kingdom, one can easily get an entry via their study andwork program scheme.

Recent survey conducted by UK Borders andImmigration Agency has revealed that annually, on an average Filipino nursesapplied to work for United Kingdom has increased up to 7,000 from 2007 to 2009.

Saudi Arabia amongst all the countrieshas received the maximum number of Filipino nurses. The average number ofnurses coming to Saudi Arabia in a year is around 8,000 or more. With theintroduction of study and work program that includes practical training alongwith the study course (OJT), the number of nurses applying for UK visa hasconsiderably grown in number.

There is a great demand of Filipinonurses and caregivers in Britain as their language proficiency is quite highand meets the language standards of European countries such as Romania andPoland. Many of these nurses even apply for the permanent residency status inBritain. The immigration laws of United States are quite strict for Filipinonurses making it difficult for them to settle there. Hence, many workers in thehealth industry are choosing countries like Saudi Arabia and UK over America asthey are getting better opportunities and scope of residing permanently inthese countries.

The number of Filipino nurses seeking topractice their profession in the United States plunged by one-third during thefirst half of 2010 compared to the same period last year.

Based on a mid-year report by the US’ NationalCouncil of State Boards of Nursing, only 5,533 Filipino nurses took theNational Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) as of June 2010, or more than 30percent lower from the 8,272 examinees during the same period last year.

The NCLEX is the licensure examination for nursesin the US, administered to registered nurses and licensed practical orvocational nurses. 

The Philippines, however, remains the top countrywhere most of the examinees come from this year, followed by India, SouthKorea, Canada and Puerto Rico. Last year, the Philippines was also the topcountry with over 15,000 examinees. 

“The number of Filipino nurses taking theNCLEX for the first time is a reliable indicator as to how many of them aretrying to enter the profession in the US,” said Trade Union Congress ofthe Philippines (TUCP) secretary general Ernesto Herrera in a statement. 

He said Manila-based labor recruitment agenciespreviously reported that more Filipino nurses are now leaving for the UnitedKingdom than for the US.

“Filipino nurses and other highly skilledprofessionals will go to foreign labor markets where it is easier for them toenter and work, and where they will get the best reward in terms of pay andother benefits,” Herrera said.

He however said more Filipino nurses are stillseeking employment in the US than elsewhere owing to a “strong culturalattachment” to the former colonizer. 

“The two biggest suppliers of foreign nursesin the UK are actually India and Australia, which is not surprising since bothare former British territories. After them, the Philippines is now Britain'sthird biggest supplier of foreign nurses,” Herrera said, citing statisticsfrom the UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council.

A total of 15,382 Filipino nurses took the NCLEXfor the first time in 2009, down 5,364 or 26 percent from 20,746 in 2008.

In 2007, a total of 21,499 Filipino nurses tookthe NCLEX, up 6,328 or 42 percent from 15,171 in 2006. 

The 2006 figures meanwhile were up 65 percent or5,990 compared to the 9,181 Filipino nurses who took the NCLEX in 2005.

All in all, some 82,000 Filipino nurses took theNCLEX for the first time over the last five years. – KBK, GMANews.TV

GMANews.tv

Diary Entry #5

I went to ground zero today. My very first itinerary of the day. My aunt is kind enough to take a day off today and show me around this new city. Then we went up to the Empire State Building. New York is just so… concrete. Hehe… But there’s a big patch of green called Central Park. I plan to go there when I’m brave enough to venture on my own. And auntie mommy said we will go to the Statue of Liberty one of these weeekends. As I’ve mentioned before, my family is throwing a welcome barbecue party for me down at Jersey this Saturday. I have an uncle who lives there with his family. They have a pool and the warm August weather is perfect for such occasion. After my sight seeing up on the Empire State Building, my aunt brought me to Chinatown for some Asian food. I think she knows I’m starting to miss home and some soulfood might be good for me. She doesn’t cook much at home. She lives on either take out food or tossed salads. She said it’s too lonely to cook for herself. My cousin works up in D.C and they only see each other every now and then. I’m staying in my cousin’s room for now. I think my aunt is happy that I am here to accompany her. When I had my fill of noodles and siomai, my aunt was most eager to take me shopping. She said I need New Yorker clothes. Haha. I think what she meant was I look to shabby in my shirt, jeans and sneakers. She went out her way to revamp my wardrobe. Not that I have an actual wardrobe. Hehe… My flight only allowed 30kg free luggage. So what I packed with me are the most essentials only and lots of pasalubong for my family here. So tonight, I’m hanging up in the closet all my new nice clothes with matching bags and shoes. Ahm, my aunt is some sort of a fashion statement. So here I am, the lucky recipient of all these beautiful stuff! Can’t wait to wear them tomorrow. Haha… And oh, I almost forgot, I have a full set of Clinique beauty products. Jeez, what a luxury!

Diary Entry #4

This sucks. I don’t want to be weepy but I can’t stop crying. I just got off skype. And I miss home so much. I saw my parents on the screen and my sister. My brother is at work. I never expected to be missing them this much. How I wish I can bring them here. And we can live in the same house just as we’ve always had.

Diary Entry #3B

What a big hospital. It has its own shopping center! And you should see the facility. I’ve never seen like it. It’s like a hospital/ retirement home/ hotel, all rolled into one … I’m going to start working there in 7 days. I will first have day shifts with one patient under my care. It will be a month (or depending on my evaluation) before I’ll be allowed to go into night shifts. So for the next days, I have time for sight seeing and meet my other relatives here. Auntie mommy said we will be going to Jersey this Saturday for a barbecue party… I have to pause for now. I got to call my folks back at home

Diary Entry #3A

I hugged my aunt a real tight hug this morning. Finally, I’m now wide awake and full of energy. Jet lag over. My aunt has been a nurse here for 30 years. I guess she will be retiring soon. Today, she will show me around her hospital. The same hospital that I’m going to be work in for a looong time. Hopefully. From what I’ve seen on the pictures, it’s a beautiful hospital on Roosevelt Island down at Hudson River. It has cherry blossoms all over the grounds! I’ve never seen real cherry blossoms before! Haha…