A nurse’s journey to Canada
Nursing manager Phoebe’s career journey began at a crossroads between teacher and nurse. Both her parents were teachers; however, Phoebe took her mom’s advice and enrolled in nursing. Phoebe was born and raised in the Philippines, then nursed in the Middle East for 10 years. On the urging of a friend who immigrated to Saskatchewan, she decided to come as a visitor. She was granted a visitor visa. She enrolled in Alberta, for exam coaching. Phoebe obtained her Canadian Registered Nursing (RN) license in 2008. She found the healthcareerinsask.ca website to apply and Saskatoon was the first to respond in offering her a permanent full time job as a surgical nurse in acute care.
Prior to taking the job, she toured other provinces. Phoebe said she chose Saskatoon, aside from the competitive wages and incentives, organized hiring process, since it has the feeling of a small town with the conveniences of a city. Phoebe considers Saskatoon her home now with her husband and two dogs.
A shy but determined person, Phoebe has overcome many challenges facing International Educated Nurses (IEN) including, winter driving and transitioning from a perioperative nurse to an acute care surgical ward nurse. During her 14 year career with SHA, she continues her education. She has had many roles from coordinator to clinical instructor and now to her current role as a manager of nursing in a surgical unit in Saskatoon.
Phoebe is part of the team going on this year’s Philippines recruitment mission. Paying it forward to other immigrants is something she is passionate about. She understands the drive to improve quality of life. She says her life always had a plan B and wants to encourage others to take the leap. Phoebe has built a great team based on shared ideas, staff input and a never stop learning approach. “Working from your heart is the best service you can give.”
Phoebe says, “It has been my personal advocacy to support not just Filipino IENs but any new nursing graduate. I love watching them grow and gain confidence in their career through my guidance and support.”
If you have friends and family in the Philippines who may be interested in a career in health care, please encourage them to visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/health-human-resources/philippines-mission for more information.
