Long Delays in Visa Despite Nursing Shortage in the US
Filipina Nurses See Long Visa Delays Despite Nursing Shortage
By Maricar C. P. Hampton (New America Media/Philippine News)
Hannah Baslio had a difficult time when she first came to the United States four years ago and took a job as a nurses’ aide in a large New Jersey nursing home.
After a year of back-breaking work with too many patients and frequent double shifts, Baslio—one of the thousands of Filipina nurses or aides providing care to U.S. seniors–eventually moved to Maple Hill, a small group home in Maryland. There, she not only earns enough to help her family back home, but she grew to care for the seniors “in memory of my grandma, it’s like taking care of my family.”
“You have to have the right kind of heart and a lot of patience for this job. It’s not easy but if you love your job it’s easier,” Baslio said.
For decades the United States has turned to Filipina nurses, such as Baslio, and those from other countries, especially China, the Caribbean and India, to fill its growing shortage of nurses and nurses’ aides. American long-term care companies actively recruit nurses from the Philippines because of its U.S. style health care education programs.
Read the rest of the article at newamericamedia.org
