There are plenty of questions why Filipino nurses are working overseas (in the Middle East countries, United States of America, Singapore and other Asian countries, and the United Kingdom), but the only answer is coming deep within every Filipino nurse.

The United Kingdom is a very promising country to work in, based on a survey. Approximately, there are around 10,000 already deployed in the U.K. Filipino nurses decide to work there because of good placement & equal opportunity treatment, aside from accessibility to bring their family members to work and live together. For those who are still single, their financial assistance to their families would be better since the exchange rate of pound-to-peso is quite enormous. The difficulty for the Filipino nurse would be on the period of adjustment (particularly during Adaptation programme, since it is mandatory to start in C-grade before registering to the NMC) but the moment they pass that stage, enjoyment will follow them through work or while taking up ENB courses.

Majority of Filipino nurses decided to bring their immediate family members here because of strong family ties and the simple way of life. The children will avail of the Local Education Authority (LEA) for their schooling. The basic ingredients are provided by the government there.

Another aspect is 2% of married couples there already own a house, with the help of the system of Mortgage and Home Ownership Project of the Trust Hospital. This figure is increasing everyday since the Trust Hospital is encouraging and helping Filipino nurses in owning real estate property.

Equal opportunity is practiced in the U.K. there may be a few reports of unjust treatments but in NHS Hospitals, it is avoided because of its strict policy against that malpractice.

Also, freedom of expression is enjoyed by Filipino nurses here. They are able to provide quality nursing care to the patients without compromising their enjoyment by cracking jokes and simply having fun. This despite the emotional stress of being away from the Philippines. Moreover, the nurses are entitled to a yearly vacation of 20 days or more. This may be one reason why English hospitals continuously recruit Filipino nurses.

The reactions of Filipino nurses on the way they are treated by their hospital-employers:

• “My mother was sick during my adaptation period, and eventually she died. I was given a compassionate leave for a longer period of time to be with my family in the Philippines.”
• “The NHS trust helped us own a house thru Shared Ownership of our mortgaged property. My family and I are very happy about this opportunity, instead of renting and leaving nothing afterwards. This time we owned this property and paying less than our previous rental fees.”
• “I gave birth to my son in NHS Trust Hospital, we paid nothing because it was free. The health services in the U.K. are the best.”
• “I have spoken to the LEA about my children. They helped me find a better placement for my three children – they are happy in their respective schools, it is only a few minutes walk from home.”
• “I love to see people in a queue while waiting for their turn, it is lovely to see people well-disciplined.”
• “I learned my first common expressive adjective –LOVELY- and it is very nice to respond with it. It is a very courteous way of appreciating people.”
• “Although we pay mandatory taxes & council taxes, the community services is absolutely superb – equal opportunity to all, like the council libraries, government amenities, garbage collection & disposal, security and home insurances.”
• “if you are in the U.K., it is quite easy to travel in every European country. I thought of this when I was only a kid, I realized this was true when you are here. I visited France, Germany, Italy, Scotland etc. without any difficulties in getting a visa.”

There are more reactions that I gathered in terms of Filipino nurses in the U.K. A simple reason of their basic necessities: Filipino nurses and their families stay, and they become a legal resident soon.

This is a narrative report echoed by the Filipino nurses themselves. To live and work in the U.K. is the same everywhere else, but the difference is within each person. It all depends on how we perceive happiness and contentment.

I have no regret. I am very thankful to work and live here in the U.K. even for a lifetime.

Noel F. Cruz
Staff Nurse
Addenbrooke’s Hospital
NCCU Department, Box 1
NeuroSciences Bldg., Hills Road
Cambridge, CB2 2QQ

Chairman
The Filipino Community in Cambridge, U.K.
89 Glenmere Close
Cambridge, CB1 8 EF