New Grad Joan Karen Achieves #AmericanDream in Record Time

Chances are you have a relative or family friend that has been working in the USA as a nurse for some time. They probably inspired you to become a nurse to help patients and as a means to achieve your #AmericanDream. Most likely they also gave you advice on how to become a USRN. Their advice probably sounded something like this:

1. Do well in nursing school.
2. Graduate and pass the local board exam.
3. Get to work as a staff RN anywhere you can.
4. While working, study for and pass the NCLEX and IELTS exams.
5. THEN if you have two years of nursing experience, find an agency that will help you get a visa and nursing job in the USA.

WOW! That is a lot to do on your own, but that's the way most agencies still operate.Here's Joan's story on how the PassportUSA ASPIRE program helped her pass needed exams and expedited her arrival to the USA.

Joan's USRN Career Began Much Sooner

Meet Joan, who joined the ASPIRE program and has been working as a USRN in South Dakota since February 2019. Under the traditional pathway outlined above she would not have even been able to interview with an agency until she had two years of experience. That would have been in August of 2018. Yet, through the PassportUSA ASPIRE program she arrived in the USA in February, 2019. This is just six months after reaching the two years of experience milestone!We spoke with Joan regarding her experiences and here is what she shared:

How did you hear about the ASPIRE program?

"I had heard of Health Carousel and when I searched online I saw other nurses' testimonials that had great success and I was inspired by their stories. It was not until I spoke with them that I learned I qualified for their newly-offered ASPIRE program."

How soon after graduation did you join the ASPIRE program?

"I joined about a year after I graduated from nursing school." But she could have joined even before graduation.

What perks made you decide to join the ASPIRE program?

"The free IELTS test-prep resources and class offerings were a big plus. When I entered the ASPIRE program I still needed to pass IELTS, so most agencies wouldn't even consider me."

What about NCLEX assistance?

"I learned that Health Carousel will assist candidates to pass NCLEX if they join the ASPIRE program. That is a great perk for new Filipino nursing graduates. I advise candidates to take advantage of the free NCLEX prep."

Would you recommend the ASPIRE program to other recent Filipino nursing graduates?

"Yes! I encourage other recent graduates to sign up right away because Health Carousel really helps with the process. There is not a difficult part of the process that they cannot assist with."

Do you know anyone else that was or is currently in the ASPIRE program?

"Yes, I know a friend and his sister who also joined the ASPIRE program and are now working in the USA as well."

Why did you choose to work in the U.S.?

"I wanted to pursue my mother's dream because she was a nurse and she stopped her career when I was born to take care of me. So I want to carry on what she wanted to do for her career."

What do you hope to accomplish in your U.S. nursing career within five years?

"I want to broaden my nursing skills, become more confident, and inspire nurses in the Philippines to pursue their U.S. nursing careers. I also want to pursue my Master's degree in nursing. My parents and my loved ones motivate me to do my best and not let homesickness affect my work. Living away from them is difficult, but because they fully support my #AmericanDream, I am able to perform my best here."

What are three traits of a good U.S. nurse?

"The first trait that makes a good U.S. nurse is dedication to the profession. If you are dedicated to your work then everything else will follow. Second, patience. Nurses meet people with various personalities and from different cultures, so being patient allows them to adjust. Third is caring. Basically, nursing is about caring for the patients and providing the proper treatment to them."

Thank you Joan! We are proud to see how far you've come and look forward to seeing your nursing career progress.

Program Eligibility

The PassportUSA ASPIRE Program is offered to recent graduates of Philippine nursing schools and students enrolled in their final year of Philippine nursing schools.� We provide our ASPIRE candidates with access to resources to pass the NCLEX and IELTS examinations and will file for your visa as soon as you pass the NCLEX.

Please note:�In the Philippines, PassportUSA is recruiting through Health Carousel Philippines. License number � POEA-230-LB-103018-R. For manpower pooling only. No fees to be collected. Be aware of illegal recruiters and human traffickers.