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May 15, 2006, was the exact date when a group of 13 Filipino nurse
scholars arrived at Indianapolis International Airport after 25 long
agonizing hours of travel from the Philippines. Today, while I am
writing, I could still clearly recall the series of exams, interviews and the
training we had to go through to be qualified for the Global Scholarship
Alliance program. The majority of us either resigned from work, filed
an indefinite leave of absence or sacrificed by working nights then
review during the day in order to prepare for the National Council
Licensure Examination (NCLEX). I could say that the hard work and
sacrifices had paid off because we finally made it to the United States
of America!
The day we arrived, we expected a few people to meet us at the
airport, however, there was a multitude of people who were there to
meet us. We were totally surprised and overwhelmed by the
outpouring of greetings and welcome. We were truly humbled and
honored by their presence. Coincidentally, it was the start of spring,
the air was cold and the rain was in abundance. We were
weather-shocked because we came from a tropical country and we
were not dressed appropriately for the Indiana weather. At first we
were apprehensive but the Community Hospital staff headed by Karen
Shanks, Vice President of Human Resources, Community Health
Network, passed sweatshirts for each of us to wear. As we stepped
out of the gate, all we could see were balloons, bouquet of flowers and
a welcome banner. Staff and members from Community Health
Network, Global Scholarship Alliance, Anderson University, Philippine
Nurses Association of Indiana, and the Barangay Club took time off to
welcome us. We felt like celebrities because pictures were taken from
different angles. Barely out of the airport, Bonnie Fancher and her
group took us to our apartments. We had to rush and get ready for the
welcome dinner at the clubhouse sponsored by PNA-INDIANA. Paula
Boley, professor from Anderson University, Nancy Campbell, educator
from CHN, GSA staff w/ Bonnie, Tom and Stacey, Barangay Club w/
Maria Manalang and Rowena Parcon joined the members and officers
of PNA-INDIANA for the banquet. Each of us had a chance to
introduce ourselves and spoke of our nursing experiences in the
Philippines. We received welcome gifts from Cora Vizcarra of MCV &
Associates and Susie Quintia, PNA-IN Treasurer. Likewise, we had
courtesy calls from the hospital, university, invitations from Eleanore
Wilson, Vice President of Nursing, Community Hospital North, and her
husband Brent, Filipino and Guamenian families for lunch or dinner
and many more who had supported us along the way.
We thought that what we had undergone prior to coming here was all
we will have to face, but it was just the beginning. There are too many
adjustments and challenges that we have to go through from the time
difference, weather, language, food, work and school. Initially,
everything was nice just like a period of bliss and romance in a
relationship, then, reality set in. Challenges came along the way, rough
waves shook the boat that was GSA 13. Unfortunately, we lost one (1)
crew member. We have weathered the storm despite all the
unexpected obstacles but our tenacity to accomplish our training is
keeping us afloat until we get to our final destination which is our
graduation.
On behalf of the 12 GSA scholars, I want to take this opportunity to
thank PNA-INDIANA for all the support, gifts and care extended to our
group. We all value your suggestions, mentoring, coaching on how to
be successful. We owe all of you a debt of gratitude and we will be
forever grateful to the association. To Community Health Network,
Anderson University, Global Scholarship Alliance, Barangay Club of
Indiana, Filipino families, Guamenian friends and everyone who
assisted and supported us in our first year in Indianapolis, we can’t
thank you enough for all your generosity.
Maraming salamat po,
The GSA “dirty” Dozen
scholars arrived at Indianapolis International Airport after 25 long
agonizing hours of travel from the Philippines. Today, while I am
writing, I could still clearly recall the series of exams, interviews and the
training we had to go through to be qualified for the Global Scholarship
Alliance program. The majority of us either resigned from work, filed
an indefinite leave of absence or sacrificed by working nights then
review during the day in order to prepare for the National Council
Licensure Examination (NCLEX). I could say that the hard work and
sacrifices had paid off because we finally made it to the United States
of America!
The day we arrived, we expected a few people to meet us at the
airport, however, there was a multitude of people who were there to
meet us. We were totally surprised and overwhelmed by the
outpouring of greetings and welcome. We were truly humbled and
honored by their presence. Coincidentally, it was the start of spring,
the air was cold and the rain was in abundance. We were
weather-shocked because we came from a tropical country and we
were not dressed appropriately for the Indiana weather. At first we
were apprehensive but the Community Hospital staff headed by Karen
Shanks, Vice President of Human Resources, Community Health
Network, passed sweatshirts for each of us to wear. As we stepped
out of the gate, all we could see were balloons, bouquet of flowers and
a welcome banner. Staff and members from Community Health
Network, Global Scholarship Alliance, Anderson University, Philippine
Nurses Association of Indiana, and the Barangay Club took time off to
welcome us. We felt like celebrities because pictures were taken from
different angles. Barely out of the airport, Bonnie Fancher and her
group took us to our apartments. We had to rush and get ready for the
welcome dinner at the clubhouse sponsored by PNA-INDIANA. Paula
Boley, professor from Anderson University, Nancy Campbell, educator
from CHN, GSA staff w/ Bonnie, Tom and Stacey, Barangay Club w/
Maria Manalang and Rowena Parcon joined the members and officers
of PNA-INDIANA for the banquet. Each of us had a chance to
introduce ourselves and spoke of our nursing experiences in the
Philippines. We received welcome gifts from Cora Vizcarra of MCV &
Associates and Susie Quintia, PNA-IN Treasurer. Likewise, we had
courtesy calls from the hospital, university, invitations from Eleanore
Wilson, Vice President of Nursing, Community Hospital North, and her
husband Brent, Filipino and Guamenian families for lunch or dinner
and many more who had supported us along the way.
We thought that what we had undergone prior to coming here was all
we will have to face, but it was just the beginning. There are too many
adjustments and challenges that we have to go through from the time
difference, weather, language, food, work and school. Initially,
everything was nice just like a period of bliss and romance in a
relationship, then, reality set in. Challenges came along the way, rough
waves shook the boat that was GSA 13. Unfortunately, we lost one (1)
crew member. We have weathered the storm despite all the
unexpected obstacles but our tenacity to accomplish our training is
keeping us afloat until we get to our final destination which is our
graduation.
On behalf of the 12 GSA scholars, I want to take this opportunity to
thank PNA-INDIANA for all the support, gifts and care extended to our
group. We all value your suggestions, mentoring, coaching on how to
be successful. We owe all of you a debt of gratitude and we will be
forever grateful to the association. To Community Health Network,
Anderson University, Global Scholarship Alliance, Barangay Club of
Indiana, Filipino families, Guamenian friends and everyone who
assisted and supported us in our first year in Indianapolis, we can’t
thank you enough for all your generosity.
Maraming salamat po,
The GSA “dirty” Dozen
P.O. Box 17131, Indianapolis, IN 46217-0131 www.pnaindiana.org
© Copyright 2006 The Philippine Nurses Association of Indiana, Inc.
© Copyright 2006 The Philippine Nurses Association of Indiana, Inc.
AFTER A YEAR IN AMERICA …… SAIL ON
By: Magdalena Yap Jalandoni, RN
PNA-IN Member
By: Magdalena Yap Jalandoni, RN
PNA-IN Member
| GSA Nurse Scholars with PNA-IN President Redd Knotts on May 15, 2007 (1 Year Anniversary) |