The First Step to my American Dream

Last November I went to the Philippines to meet my future employer, I flew all the way from UAE to Manila just to be interviewed by the executives of Children's Hospital of New Orleans, Louisiana. I was so damn tired of that 6-day trip but at the same time I can say that it was awesome because I passed the interview and signed a three-year contract.

Prior to my 6-day trip, I had an awful experience on swapping of duties. I really made myself exhausted because I have to attend the interview and meet the executives of the hospital. I remember myself begging to my Nurse Manager and co-staff Nurse for the changes of duty and my Nurse Manager telling me " Don't push your luck!" in front of my colleague because I was asking for an extension. Actually I asked her first to give me an early vacation and she dumped my request. My last option was the swapping of schedule. I was so happy that I have to be cross-trained to Pediatric Medical Unit for one month. I went to P/M's Nurse Manager and requested for a five consecutive days off. Without further question she agreed. Yehey!!! I could kiss her ass if she asked me to do so!

During the interview day, I came so early. I sat on the sofa at the receiving area for one hour while waiting for my slot( I prayed a lot before I left my brothers' house). The receptionist came and asked us to log on the applicants list. I wrote my name and sat on the sofa again. After few minutes, I heard somebody was calling my name. Holly cow! Am I the first one to be interviewed? The receptionist replied " Yes, certainly you will be the first one because you are a pediatric nurse" I asked her " Why?" ( uff, seems that I am an idiot....of course they are looking for pediatric nurses! Just asking because I was the 20th applicant on the list.) She answered back " They are looking for pediatric nurses since Children's Hospital is the only pedia specialist hospital within the area of New Orleans. Without further question I went inside the room. I saw a smiling, beautiful lady in her white and black suit. She asked me to sit down after we had our exchange of " Good morning". I was trembling. She started the interview and it went very well. Of all the questions she asked me, I can't forget the last one. " What do you think will be the good reason why shall I hire you?" I replied " I am hardworking and results oriented person, I want to pursue my career in your place and of course, I am looking for a professional growth."

After few hours of waiting, the receptionist read the verdict. Yehey! I passed the interview. I signed the three-year contract that the same day. Finally, I passed the first step to my American Dream.Ever wonder why I answered.....I am looking for a professional growth."?????? Yes, here in UAE, I feel that I will always be a staff nurse because I am not a local, and not even a "white" person. Promotion will never happen. Care to know the reason why?

My Point of View

Two years ago, I dreamt of working outside my native land. I had my hopes, wishes, and dreams. I just wanted to experience how difficult it is to be away from my family for a few months ( don't call me a masochist) ,I wanted to be alone for quite sometime and of course, I wanted to earn extra money for my whims.

Few months after my probation ended, my co-staff asked me "Are you happy?". I noticed that she wanted to start a conversation regarding our point of view about working with the emirati people. I did'nt answer her question. I kept quiet for a moment. Suddenly I found myself asking her " Are you happy?" She chuckled and gave me a long sigh. We kept quiet for a moment then I started conveying my thoughts. I told her " No matter how much I earn, I will always stay in one place where I can feel the happiness that I am longing for". Yes , it's true that I am earning enough money to support my family, I can buy the bags and wallets that I wanted for myself, I can go to the other places that I dreamed of before BUT..... am I happy?............I am happy that I am a nurse... a pediatric nurse, I love kids, I love the nursing routine, I love my extra job as a quality improvement committee member, I like my scrub suits and my paraphernalias....I'm asking my inner self.... Am I happy? No, I'm not TOTALLY happy. I want to serve my own countrymen, I want to share my skills with my fellow kababayans, I want to fulfill my duty as a Filipina nurse .... but I have my own needs and problems. I have to struggle or else I will end up as a martyr.

My not-so awesome travel

Few minutes after the aircraft landed, I did my longest sigh...and my sweetest smile. Finally! I'm here! Being away for few months made me sick....actually it's homesickness.

After another few minutes, I fell in line in a long queue, grrrrr...bullshit ! I hate this...falling in line in long queue of people in the immigration area. During this time, I had a chit chat with my fellow kababayans, and all of us were irritated with the immigration personel in front of us. Why? Because she's yelling ang frowning. Then it's my turn.... I said" Good afternoon". I never failed to smile even if I wanted to grab and throw her ( only if I can hehehe) I was expecting a courteousy from a government employee but then she didn't even care to smile or nod. I told myself..." Patience..patience..patience.."

I took all my luggage and immediately pass the arrival area. As soon as I saw my brother, I told him" Let's go" . After few hours, we're heading to my brother's house.....holly cow! I can see that the vehicles are not moving...traffic..traffic! Hey! what's new? Metro Manila is one of the places I hate most because of the traffic....maybe just like Dubai.

Finally, after few hours more we reached my brother's house. Hmmmmmmm...it's nice to be back but I still have to wait for 3 more days before I can see my home sweet home. I have to accomplish my task first.

Back to Pediatric Surgery

Yehey! I am so happy. Finally I'm back to my own unit. I really miss pediatric surgery soooooo much.

After one month of cross training in Pediatric Medical I realized that I should stop complaining how busy our unit is during the busy season( usually during April-August). Bloody hell! Pediatric Medical is busy day in and day out. When it comes to patient acuity, I can say that they are getting more sick pediatric patients than us. But hey!.... what can you expect... it is a medical unit with more chronic patient and shall I say.... TOXIC ones.

Last night while the unit was quiet, I started reminiscing the days that I worked in Pediatric Medical. Honestly, I enjoyed working with the staff of pediatric medical and of course I enjoyed the cases that I have handled. I really enjoyed seeing those "syndromes "that I never heard before.... a lot of genetic disorders that aroused my interest to go back to the basics- the anatomy and physiology. Huh! Anatomy and physiology.... spare me! Yeah ..yeah..I know, this subject is one of the essential subject of nursing. There is nothing that I can do except to grab my book and study all over again.

So, from now on, I will not comment anymore on how busy our unit during "busy season". Thanks to pediatric medical and to the staff that I worked with. I had a fruitful and satisfying experience on medical cases.