- I remember when I was in high school,
all of my friends,
they want to be an engineer or an accountant.
I'm the only person who wants to be,
to be a nurse.
(faintly speaking)
I grew up in the Philippines.
(faintly speaking)
I was inspired by my aunt,
and my mom always tell me about her story.
She decided to go to the U.S. as a nurse.
My aunt was sending pictures and postcard to my mom.
She would send me like, a encouraging words
to pursue my dream as a nurse.
(dogs barking) (utensils clinking)
My mom always wanted me to follow her footstep.
I initially went to Far Eastern University
and then they transferred
to Family Clinic College of Nursing.
It was very competitive for you to become a nurse.
They're very selective.
In early 2000,
there was a lot of nursing opportunity
here in the U.S.
It took me like, 2 to 3 years to eventually come to the U.S.
In 2006,
I decide to check
the nursing opportunity in Lubbock.
I like it because, a small town
there's a lot of hospital, big hospital.
And then, there's an opportunity
for an assistant director position.
Been working there for two years.
I think,
with my experience and education,
that, that's enough for me to assume the role
of the assistant director position.
Unfortunately,
two Filipino,
including me,
we did not get the position.
They hire a different person,
which doesn't have
the clinical experience that we have
and the education.
So, I kind of questioned that process.
When it happened,
people learned that I did not get the position.
Even the panel interviewer, they said,
"Romeo, I was surprised that you were not shortlisted."
I mean, they see in Filipino nurses
as a good bedside nurses, which is true.
It's just saying that, you're just good for bedside.
When it comes to
making other decision,
to run the unit or to run the hospital,
you're not good for that,
or that's not, that's not for you.
You have to realize that,
when I made the decision to go to the U.S.,
I left my
my father
and my mother,
and they died.
They died in the hospital
without me seeing them.
I
took care of,
so many patients here in the U.S.
But, I never had the chance to,
to take care of my
my parents.
So,
it's
it's a big sacrifice for Filipino nurses
to make those decision.
That's why if we,
if we
if we experience any injustices or
mistreatment
in spite of the sacrifice we made,
it's very hurtful.
(melancholy music)
(people chattering)
That event inspired me to work hard and prove myself
that I can be a good leader.
It inspired me to create the group which is the,
Filipino Nurses Association of Austin.
In January, I had a meeting with PNASA, our mother chapter-
We started the group here in my house.
There's like 12 nurses that I know.
We shared the same sentiment, same issues
that I experienced before.
Our goal is to advocate for Filipino American nurses
in Austin area, and to help
and guide in terms of building their nursing profession.
They should not judge the person by how they express things
or how they can communicate.
I mean, they need to see the bigger picture
especially when promoting someone
when
opening up an opportunity.
- So you can create your own and they said,
"No, we wanna join you and-
(group laughs)
I share my story in advocating for their rights.
So, Filipino or other minority nurses
they will have a voice.
So, they can be heard.
They can be considered
in making decisions.
(melancholy music)