I was having doubts on going abroad, because I couldn’t leave my then 4-year old son.”
From Dream to Reality
Jazmine, a Registered Nurse from the Philippines, had always envisioned herself working as a nurse in the US. As a child, she would spend her days watching American medical dramas, dreaming of one day working in facilities like those she saw on screen. Now with a child of her own, she was ready to follow that dream and provide a better future for her family.
Working at a teaching hospital in Manila, she was introduced to the idea of moving to the USA with Avant Healthcare Professionals by a colleague, but like many internationally educated healthcare professionals, Jazmine found the decision to leave a difficult one to manage. “I was having doubts on going abroad, because I couldn’t leave my then 4-year-old son”. She recalled.
US RN Journey
Jazmine followed her heart, and in 2017, she applied with Avant and began her US-RN journey. The path to the USA can be a long one. It requires lots of patience and the ability to handle new challenges and events that can be thrown your way. This was doubly true for Jazmine – while in the US immigration process, she welcomed her second child into her family. As challenging as juggling a nursing career, a move to the USA, and motherhood can be, Jazmine persevered and was grateful for the support she received. “Avant was very good at answering any questions I had. They were very helpful – they even considered waiting for my son to be born and get his passport before they filed my case”. For nurses like Jazmine, that level of support provides a strong foundation on which to build.
After completing Avant’s transitions program in Florida, Jazmine began her US-RN career at her new assignment hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I was assigned to a Med-Surg unit in a teaching hospital. I had also worked at a teaching hospital in the Philippines”. For Jazmine, adjusting to nursing practice in the USA has been a challenge, but a rewarding one. “Nursing practice here has offered new opportunities. I feel like we have more autonomy, and the doctors truly value our opinions.” That sense of professional respect fueled her confidence and growth. Now Jazmine’s life and career in the USA continue to flourish.
Living in the U.S.
Outside of work, Jazmine is taking advantage of all that her new home has to offer. “It took us a while, but it has been a great help to have fellow Avant nurses here in Tulsa. We really like it a lot here because it’s not too big of a city, so there’s not much traffic, but it has enough places and parks that keep us busy.” she says. Meanwhile at her facility, she has become not only a permanent member of staff but also a charge nurse in the Med-Surg unit, as well as a part time PACU RN.
“Living in the US has improved our lives – not just financially, but also in terms of work-life balance. We’ve been able to travel out of the country and also to other states.” She says. Looking back on all that she has achieved in the last few years, Jazmine is sure that she has made the right decision to move with her family to the USA.
For the many more healthcare professionals in the process of moving to the USA, or still yet to take the first step, Jazmine offers this piece of advice: “Be patient, I think waiting is the biggest challenge. I worked on my application I think for two years – sometimes it felt like nothing is happening! Just hold onto your dream, and when you are ready it will come.”
Jazmine is just one of the thousands of US-RNs who have transformed their careers and transformed their lives with Avant Healthcare Professionals. Follow in her footsteps and apply today!
