Top 10 Reasons Why Filipino Nurses are in Demand in America and Abroad

If you are in America or in other foreign country, for sure you hear something about the Filipino Nurses. In hospitals, in every clinic or in convalescents. There's always a Filipino Nurse. And they can easily be identified by their looks and by their accents. Their brown skin and shorter in height is also obvious. They belong to Asia but not really Asians. They're often mistaken as Pacific Islanders like the people of Hawaii. Not to mention, they always carry signature bags and the latest gadgets. Besides, they're noisy when they're together but silent when they mix up with other ethnic groups or with the locals of any host country.

But why America and other foreign countries want them? Let's take a look at some of the reasons.

1. English Speaking

Forget about the accent. Filipinos are one of the best English speaking ethnic groups in America and in other countries. The grammar is good enough. And when it comes to writing, they're meticulous about the spelling. Filipinos learned English since day one in school. So to speak, English subject is a big deal for Filipinos when in school. We learned it from our Colonial Education System.

2. Respect and Loyalty

Working with a boss is a normal thing for Filipinos. We know the meaning of the word respect, specially with our employers and superiors. Respect with the elders is also a big thing. We take pride and value our job. Because finding a job in the Philippines is always a challenge. In fact, some Nurses in the Philippines are paying the hospitals to work as a Nurse just to get an experience. Funny but it is true. Only in the Philippines.

3. Baccalaureate Degree

In the Philippines, Nursing course is a Baccalaureate Degree. It's a four year course in college. While in America and other countries, it's just an Associate Degree. Our Nurses in the Philippines are called BSNs or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Not to mention, their experience in the hospitals is a must as part of their training. Taking up Nursing program in college is not a joke in the Philippines. You have to be tough and smart enough to qualify for the program. And one more thing, it is expensive. 

4. Passing the NCLEX and Other Exams

NCLEX means, National Council Licensure Examination in the  U.S.. This is equivalent to the Board Examination in the Philippines. For Filipino Nurses, passing the exam is not a problem. In other countries like Europe and Asia, they have similar exams for the Nurses too. This is one area where Filipinos excel and it can't be denied that other foreign applicants are messing up. Even here in America, local Nursing graduates were having a hard time of passing this Licensure exam. Take note. Before the NCLEX, Filipinos and other foreign applicants have to go through the CGFNS and IELTS examination before getting a U.S. visa. 

5. Colonial Mentality 

Filipinos are one of the most rabid pro western ethnic groups in America and in any parts of the world. It is part of our colonial mentality in the Philippines. In fact, some Filipinos love America more than their own country. Same thing when they go to other countries. This thing sounds awful for some people but pleases a lot for most foreign employers. And if I were America or any host country, I would do the same thing. I would hire Filipino Nurses. It's the most practical thing a foreign employer can do. Because in the first place, why would you hire somebody who wants to kill you? 

6. Can Blend Quickly with Other Cultures

Filipinos can adjust easily with other cultures. They can blend quickly with the locals in every country where ever they go. Adapting local culture in a foreign land is not a problem for Filipinos. In fact some Filipinos in America, try to live, speak and act like the Americans, more than the locals do. It's the same thing when they live in other countries. So to speak, Filipinos have less cultural pride and identity compared to other ethnic groups. Sometimes we call it the "Cultural Inferiority". In this case, our weakness becomes an asset when it comes to migration and the competition of employment in any host country.

7. Willing to Work On The Worst Shifts

Working on a graveyard shift? No problem. Filipinos will work for it. They're even willing to work on holidays when the locals want to take a break. Patient care is 24 hours and a whole year round business. Here in America, homegrown Nurses don't want to work on those unwanted shifts. Filipino Nurses are filling it in.

8. The Culture of Caring

Filipinos are always hands on. We take care of our own elders. In fact, nursing homes for the aged is not popular in the Philippines. Our elders stay and die with us. We never abandon them. Yes, sending your elders to the nursing homes is a practical thing. But for Filipinos it's a shameful act. It is against our culture. Because we take pride in caring of our own sick family members specially the elders. 

9. Tolerance in the Workplace

Nursing profession is one of the most stressful job in the world. Working on a bed side of a patient is not an easy thing to do. Sick people are oftentimes in the bad mood. Insults from the patients and its family members are always part of their daily routine. Some people think, they're just house maids. And one more thing, racial discrimination in the workplace is always part of the challenge. Filipinos were known to be more tolerant and resilient enough to accept those challenges. Hazards in the workplace? Don't worry, Filipino Nurses can handle that. Because Filipinos live to survive.

10. The Culture of Obedience

The Philippines was under the Spanish rule for more than 300 years that ended up in 1898 and almost 50 years under the American colonizers until 1946. Working with and serving foreign masters were part of our history. We were slaves in our own country for almost four centuries. That thing contributes to our culture of obedience with our foreign employers. For most Filipinos, working abroad is always a dream.



The author, Neil Edwin Wagas is a Filipino immigrant in America. His wife is a Registered Nurse working in one of the largest hospital in Northern California. He and his family migrated to America in 2006. He's a blogger, a political activist, an author, a musician and a songwriter.