I had no strong ambition to become a nurse when I was young. Having excelled at math in high school, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. My mother, however, persuaded me to pursue a path in nursing because it was something she had wanted for herself in college but had difficulty in doing so due to financial constraints. She saw this direction as an opportunity for me to fulfill her frustrated dreams and create a better life for myself. Her sacrifices and struggles became the driving force behind my decision to push through this pathway. Over time, I started to appreciate the track I was taking. Witnessing the compassion, dedication, and impact that nurses have on patients' lives deeply resonated with me. I then realized that nursing was not a mere career; it was, in fact, a special calling.
Fast forward to passing the NLE exam. I was ecstatic to have at last realized the dream I initially never dared to pursue had it not been for my mother’s wishes. My happiness also stemmed from the support I received from loved ones throughout this arduous journey. However, as reality set in, I knew I had to face the responsibility that came with having those two initials affixed in my name—RN.
After successfully passing the NLE board exam in 2013, I was thrust into the uphill battle of getting a job. At the same time, both the government and private hospitals were unable to offer good salary levels or wages, safe nurse-patient ratio, employment benefit packages, and access to basic healthcare facilities. Some hospitals also refused to hire new nurses because they lacked experience, and they were demanding nurses to attend training sessions, such as Basic Intravenous Therapy (IVT), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). On the other hand, they even required unpaid volunteer work for six months to a year. It also became evident that having a connection within public hospitals was crucial to secure a job swiftly – in other words, the “Backer system” was in full-on active mode. While engaged in volunteer work at a public hospital, I witnessed the dismaying reality of these challenging circumstances. Overcrowded wards, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate sanitation facilities not only compromised patient health but also hindered nurses' ability to provide quality nursing care. It was at that moment that I realized nursing was not just a career choice for me; it was a deep-rooted passion to make a difference in people's lives.
In 2014, I was able to secure a job as a staff nurse at Isabela Doctors General Hospital (IDGH). I was assigned to work in the surgery ward, and in situations where there was a lack of staff or an emergency in other nursing units, my assistance would sometimes be requested. In one instance, my responsibilities would involve assisting elderly patients on the geriatric ward, attending to their chronic conditions, and providing emotional support. The subsequent day, I could be found in the pediatric ward, consoling frightened children and their concerned parents. In another scenario, I would be pulled into the ICU, providing CPR to a patient who experienced cardiac arrest. Then, just a week later, I would be in the OB ward using a doppler to listen to the fetal heart rate of a 28-week pregnant mother. While it was challenging to switch gears so frequently, I soon realized that this constant rotation had its benefits. It allowed me to gain a broader range of experience and expand my skill set as a nurse. I became flexible and proficient in handling various medical conditions.
Being a nurse has an impact not just on patients, but also on our own families. I have experienced firsthand how beneficial this profession has been for me, particularly because I am the only nurse in my family. It has truly benefited me in numerous ways, both personally and professionally. The responsibility of being the go-to person for medical advice or assistance within my family has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of their health and hone my skills. Also, it has enabled me to quickly identify any potential health issues or symptoms that they may have overlooked. Whether it's noticing subtle changes in their physical appearance, detecting abnormal vital signs, or recognizing early signs of illness, my nursing knowledge has equipped me with the ability to assess their health more effectively.
Allow me to share the experience I had back in 2016. At one point, when my mother was having her period, she asked me to get her a napkin. She appeared pale and weak. Since she was already on the seventh day of menstruation but the bleeding remained profuse, I knew it was something serious and needed prompt action. I then rushed with my mother to a hospital, feeling extremely worried about her health. The fear on her face reflected my own, making it even more urgent for her to receive medical attention. She was diagnosed with stage 1A uterine cancer and went through a surgical procedure. Fortunately, due to its early detection, she was spared from requiring any chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and that brought us some great relief. However, the hospital expenses were so overwhelming that my father had to approach our relatives for financial support, as well as the governor's and mayor's offices, to pay the high medical bills. I even used the small amount of money I had saved, hoping it would contribute to covering the hospital expenses.
The financial difficulties my family experienced served as a wake-up call, causing me to reassess my priorities and consider seeking better opportunities elsewhere. I had a moment of clarity when I came to understand that even though I worked tirelessly and dedicated long hours to caring for others, I could not guarantee supporting my family financially. So, I started exploring possibilities abroad that I believed could alleviate the financial burden my family was facing. It was clear that relying entirely on my salary as a nurse would not be sustainable in the long run. I believe that this issue similarly affects other nurses in the Philippines, leading many of them to seek employment opportunities overseas.
Later on, I entered an 8-month German language training as a prerequisite for working as a nurse in Germany. The training and lodging were free, and my German employer also gave me an allowance. During my time in Manila, I also worked as a company nurse for a BPO company to support personal needs. Learning the language tested both my patience and determination. There were moments when I doubted my abilities and wondered if I was on the right path. However, despite all the uncertainty, I reminded myself of why I embarked on this journey in the first place—for my family.
I arrived in Germany in 2019 and immediately took the Recognition Exam for Nurses, which I fortunately passed. Sincerely, I developed a strong grasp of nursing concepts I learned back in college, both practical and theoretical; the only problem I had was figuring out how to deliver my answers in German. For some reason, I was surprised to have passed the exam, and it was one of my proudest achievements, as I considered it one of the most difficult exams I have ever sat for. The countless hours spent studying, the sacrifices made, and the determination to succeed had finally paid off.
Presently, I am working in Germany as an OR theatre nurse for cardiothoracic surgery, and I cannot deny that it has been a steep learning curve for me working in a foreign land. It entails a lot of sacrifices and hard work—these were two of the fundamental concepts that nursing taught me as I embarked on this profession. It signifies the selflessness and dedication that we commit ourselves to, a sacrifice that cannot be measured in monetary terms, but rather by the sheer happiness reflected in the smiles of the patients we care for. The fulfillment we get from hearing patients express gratitude equates to no amount of salary.
In this field, where time is constantly important, especially in urgent and critical situations, it can be discouraging when things go differently than planned. It can become chaotic to the extent that you start doubting your abilities and questioning if you have acquired the right skills and knowledge in school. This unique aspect of nursing examines your capability of having grace under pressure. However, the bigger challenge in such a stressful situation is applying your knowledge to real-life situations, recognizing even the smallest details that could make a difference and potentially save someone's life. This brings me to another life lesson nursing has taught me—never stop learning and growing. When I started this job, I realized I was signing up for a lifelong commitment to learning new things every day and making a difference in people's lives during their most vulnerable moments. This instilled in me a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment that engineering, I believe, could not have provided in my case. Although I had initially set my sights on becoming an engineer, I could not ignore the passion that has continued stirring within me for nursing.
My journey to where I am today has been nothing short of a roller coaster. There have been and continue to be several challenges I have had to overcome, including cultural integration, language barriers, weather conditions, and, worst of all, homesickness. But, at the end of the day, as long as I did my best to share a piece of my heart to help others heal theirs, I can go home feeling accomplished and saying this with passion: “Goal met!”.
By: Simone Sean Solomero, MSN, PhRN, GuKP, USRN
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