Nursing is one of the noblest professions, but in many countries across the globe, it’s also considered an underrated job. The Philippines is well known for having many efficient nurses and for exporting them worldwide. However, nurses can encounter many challenges abroad, such as mental health issues, language barriers, unfamiliarity with a hospital’s equipment and nursing procedures, and cultural assimilation.
In spite of these challenges, the number of nurses who choose to work internationally has skyrocketed because the benefits often outweigh the downsides. These benefits can include competitive salaries, safer nurse-patient ratios, and intensive, comprehensive training.
I am one of these nurses. I am Mark Steve Marcella Tullao, Registered Nurse (RN), at Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH). Although this statement sounds like a piece of cake, the letters “RN” after my name have come with a lot of failures, sacrifices, and dedication. My humble beginning and story are perhaps similar to those of other nurses who opted to pursue nursing careers outside their home countries.
My fantasy of living in Canada became reality in December 2020 when I decided to end my nursing career in the Philippines and come to this multicultural and inclusive country as an international student. During my health administration degree at Northern Lights College (NLC), I met Joanne Cozac, NH Coordinator, Internationally Educated Nurses, and we discussed the licensing process for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) in British Columbia through the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
With the support of the government and Health Match BC (now BC Health Careers), I was motivated to gather all necessary nursing documents from my home country and begin the licensing application. However, the application process was paused while I was still working on my two-year post-degree program at NLC and reducing expenses to remain in the country.
Chasing my dreams in international education pushed me to better myself and to be patient. Making mistakes along the way and learning to navigate these errors led me to brighter chances and opportunities. During my academic journey, I worked with the fantastic people at NLC as one of the student representatives on the Board of Governors and Education Council. Additionally, I tutored and volunteered to help foster quality education and collaboration at NLC. When I graduated, I was listed as one of the honour students and nominated as valedictorian due to my perseverance and fervor in learning.
In spring 2023, I got a job as a Human Resources (HR) Assistant for NH Northeast, specifically for DCDH and Rotary Manor. At the same time, I accepted a full-time supervisory position at Tim Hortons. Eventually, I stopped working at the restaurant and continued working in the hospital to focus on my RN application after becoming a permanent resident in Canada.
In November 2023, I was granted eligibility to write the National Council Licensure Examination through the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta, and I successfully passed the exam in March 2024.
After passing the exam, I asked the CRNA to verify registration to BCCNM and followed the rest of the BC’s IEN-RN licensing route. BCCNM issued me a current practicing RN registration, and I started working as an RN at DCDH in May 2024. It’s also worth mentioning that Northern Health supports IENs with their licensing journey, specifically by covering the total cost of the BCCNM registration fee.
My heart overflows with gratitude for my experience working with the HR team, the health service administrator, the director of care, nursing managers, the union, and several administrative leaders across Northern Health; their support allowed me to grow professionally and personally. My new Canadian RN journey is helping me develop my nursing skills through in-depth education and training to deliver quality patient care. I want to thank the supportive leaders, educators, and staff at DCDH for allowing me to explore and improve my clinical and medical expertise.
Giving back to the community through exceptional nursing service here in Dawson Creek is one of my reasons to keep going and will be my bridge to any future challenges. By sharing my story, I hope to encourage all IENs to conquer their fears and take up space. Start with small steps to overcome the challenges in pursuing your permit to practice as a nurse in Canada, and together we will combat the nursing staff shortages in our communities.
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