International nurses from the Philippines are taking a trip down memory lane as they reflect on their journeys after arriving in the UK during the height of the pandemic to now supporting newly recruited overseas nurses in their roles.
The duo is one of the first cohorts in South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to have arrived from overseas during Covid-19 to support our staff – which was crucial for services to continue providing treatment despite the huge surge in coronavirus cases.
Following their successful stints in clinical areas, Mylene and Jomer have recently commenced new roles as clinical educators for international nurses.
In the hope of inspiring overseas nurses that success will follow once they put in the hard work, they are sharing their inspirational stories with us.
From a tropical country to landing in a place with four seasons a day
Mylene, currently working as a clinical educator for overseas nurses, loves mingling with staff and is keen to learn more than just about their roles. She does this with a radiant smile on her face that shines bright across our hospital.
Working as a nurse in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia for a combined eight years, she was eager to come to the UK after hearing a lot of good things about the country.
She was successfully interviewed by the trust in October 2019 and was one of the first cohorts to utilise the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) online application.
Mylene came to the UK during the peak of the pandemic in February 2020, which was quite overwhelming due to lockdowns and adjusting to a new work culture. After passing the nerve-wracking OSCE, Mylene started working on ward 7.
She said:”I have learned so many things while working here. The healthcare system in the Philippines is very different here. We didn’t have a macerator, syringe pumps and other equipment that I could not even pronounce the names of.
The ward was busy, but my colleagues helped me get through every shift. They became my friends and work family while I was miles away from home.”
After stumbling across an opportunity for the role of clinical educator for internationally educated nurses (IEN), she felt motivated to apply for the post.
Following a rigorous process, Mylene was delighted to learn that she got the job. Speaking about why she values the role so much, she said: “I remember when I first arrived in the UK, the weather was cold, but we were warmly welcomed by Eileen Aylott and the education and practice development team with Maureen Tiernan.
“As a clinical educator for IENs, I now have this great opportunity to welcome and support them.”
The northeast’s love for idioms threw me off
Immersed at the forefront of the pandemic response, Jomer arrived in 2021 and quickly got settled in respiratory medicine.
He had no clue about what he was about to witness, but seeing with his own eyes the havoc caused by the coronavirus was truly eye-opening.
Jomer said: “Although this time was difficult, in parallel, I had the chance to contribute as a nurse, as well as expand my nursing knowledge – including undergoing accelerated training, and also working as part of an incredible team.
“From my arrival, the acceptance of open arms by my colleagues made me feel comfortable and welcome, generally making the process of transitioning from one country, which was strange to me, to another very easy.
The North East accent and their love of idioms threw me off! Regardless, everybody was so wonderful, despite facing one of the scariest times in their careers. It has been my greatest honour to be able to be a nurse in a time like this.”
Following a year in respiratory, Jomer secured a role as oncology nurse. Working here in ward 14 was emotionally taxing for him but ultimately rewarding.
He believes working in such an emotionally challenging environment and caring for patients with cancer has made him a better nurse and helped him fully appreciate how beautiful and fragile life is.
Currently, Jomer works as a clinical educator for international nurses. One of the main jobs is to train newly recruited international nurses to pass their OSCE and acquire their NMC pins.
“I have only been in this job for a year where I have been able to propose and implement a new programme that enables international nurses to have a better chance at passing their OSCE the first time. These changes have demonstrated to be effective in improving the trust’s first-time passing rate,” he added.
Supporting overseas nurses as they commence a new journey
Since commencing their new roles as clinical educators, Mylene and Jomer, along with the wider education and practice development team including Kenn Rojas, have successfully supported 130 internationally educated nurses (IEN).
This means that since the start of the international nurses’ programme since 2018, there are over 300 IENs thriving in the trust.
Not only has the duo supported overseas nurses in helping them achieve their dreams of working in the UK, but they have also provided pastoral support to these nurses.
The trust was commended for providing high-quality pastoral care to internationally recruited staff, which included nurses.
Besides this, Mylene, Jomer and Kenn joined the education and practice development team in hosting the first-ever United Cultures of South Tees Staff event.
The day involved international staff and their families coming together to celebrate the rich and diverse culture within the trust.
Mylene added: “Over the years, lots of changes have taken and continue to take place, but I am happy to share that this nurse who once set foot in the UK a few years ago with a nervous mind was welcomed by lovely people in the trust.
“Moreover, these kind interactions have inspired me to be part of a dedicated team that welcomes and helps other internationally educated nurses.
The UK and South Tees Hospitals have opened fantastic and tremendous opportunities to numerous IENs, including yours truly. I will forever be grateful.”