USRN Marianne | Two Years Life as a Grandison Nurse in New Jersey, USA
Join us in another Grandison Espresso Lounge kamustahan with one of our deployed nurses in the United States — Nurse Marianne!
This is your virtual coffee table, a place where we catch-up with our nurses, PTs, OTs and partners. Here, we encourage everyone to share their voice and experience, to educate and inspire Filipino nurses and know that no #AmericanDream is impossible when you have the right partner and perseverance.
Hello, I am Nurse Marianne. Napunta ako dito sa New Jersey last May 2023, two years and counting. So far, masasabi ko na okay naman na kasi by this time, nakapag settle down na meaning hindi na tulad nung dati na talagang daming iniisip, ngayon kasi nakakuha na ng apartment and yung mga basic na needs and stable na din naman ang income. Kasi secured Naman talaga yung job placement.
Play and Watch Full Interview and Grandison Review below:
The work here in the Skilled Nursing Facility is much more stable because they stay here long-term, not like in hospitals na in and out.
Here’s a quick summary of the interview and Marianne’s american journey.
Disclaimer: Some parts were translated and summarized in context. You may refer to the full raw video for complete review, experience and advise.
What's the biggest challenge you have encountered and how did Grandison helped you during your transition in the USA as a nurse including SSN, car loan, apartment, etc?
Grandison has prepared most of it already in the Philippines, so by the time I arrived in the United States, the SSN is already in process and was just delivered on the address. Grandison also provided a free one-month accommodation, so it was very helpful for me especially during the transition period. For the car assistance, I did not avail of it but according to the other nurses, for those who have availed of the car assistance, the car rental is already available right upon their arrival at the airport.
Would you recommend bringing your family right away?
It depends on the situation, if they are financially prepared then they can bring over their family right away. Personally for me, it's a big factor to have your family right away because it motivates you and helps you get over with home sickness. Also, the retrogression should also be considered but then again it all boils down if they are financially prepared for the expenses here and even the flight ticket of their family.
What advise can you give to other Grandison Nurses or PTs considering to bring over their family right away
Sa tingin ko, in either cases, their mindset needs to be fully prepared. The whole family needs to be prepared mentally, emotionally and financially because when you arrive here, you need to be aligned with the goal of transitioning, working and also taking care of the family while the other spouse is working and also considering you have to look for apartment first too. It will all depend on the priority of the nurse who will come here.
How did you prepare for your 1st day of work as a nurse in the United States?
The day before I start with the facility, I did check it with my husband to make suer that it's the correct workplace and location. In terms of preparation, I did not have lots of hospital experience in the Philippines, but when I arrived here the facility will train you. You just have to prepare mentally and emotionally. So before I start, I prayed and ask for guidance from God to help me overcome anxiety.
How is the training given by the facility?
I am very thankful to Grandison for arranging a one month facility training with the facility where I am assigned in. They communicated and made sure that all three of us newly deployed Grandison nurses are trained fully in a month. It's not always the same with other facilities so I am so thankful with Grandison for assisting us.
How's your work there as a nurse assigned in a skilled nursing facility?
There was a preceptorship with senior nurses during my first month here. And it's all by routine here since it is a Skilled Nursing facility. We have subacute residents who came from hospitals and just need rehabilitation, then after their physical therapy most of them gets discharged already and continue the therapies at home. Then there are long term patients also doing assisted living here.
Is it necessary to have prior work experience before coming to the USA?
Even though the Skilled Nursing facilities and senior nurses will train you here, it will be best to have prior experience in the Philippines even if it is not in the hospital just to help you prepare, be more confident and so that you can work on your communication skills.
Have you encountered any problem within the facility? And how did Grandison helped you with it?
So far there's none, Yung pag establish kasi ng relationships among coworkers or colleagues I would say, na mas okay, na mag build ka ng professional relationship. Establish mo yung rapport pakita mo sa kanila na you're someone reliable, someone willing to help and to work.
When it comes to Grandison, I am happy because they got to visit us recently here in the facility to check on us.
Grandison also does call us I think once every three months to check on how we are and we can email them anytime we have concerns. So they are really available to help when there are problems.
What your quick flex in the USA or any destination or experience that you want to flex or share to other nurses?
Maganda kasi dito kahit yung mga malapit lapit na states pwede nyang idrive like Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Washington, so we like to have happy memories, especially the kids. It feels great and also a good stress reliever. So, it feels rewarding to be able to travel, see the Statue of Liberty, it was a dream come true to see those places in person.
Would you recommend Grandison to your friends and other nurses?
I highly recommend Grandison because first of all, it is legit. Totoong we nurses, may mga na deploy na nurse. I am one of the successful nurse they have deployed and it's true that they do not collect placement fees.
Other than that you can always follow up as long as may timeline. The Grandison staffs, they will be very willing to help or assist na talagang mapabilis, yung processing as long as ready ka sa lahat ng documents.
I think Grandison is the best agency that can help with your American journey.
