A year in UK but I still feel giddy and excited everyday. There are times when I’ll tell my wife “still cant believe we’re here”. It was just an impossible dream i thought but with hard work, dreams do really come true.
Our UK journey all started from that time Hazel got home from work exhausted and upset. She told me she wanted to resign. and the only option we have is either go back to the Phil or migrate somewhereelse. I myself was never happy in my work, It wasnt happy and wasnt fulfilling. So when my wife said she didnt want to be there anymore, I really tried my best to pass my IELTS and i did! (Original plan was I will go to UK first then i’ll get her but then she took ielts too and passed). Self reviewed for 3 months and took the IELTS in April, received my result in May 2019. That year was the best year for me to apply for UK because there is no need for a current hospital experience as long as I am a registered Nurse in the Philippines.
In June 2019, I was interviewed via skype for Derby trust. It was my first UK interview, and I don’t know, after passing the ielts I just felt more confident with interviews. Questions were the things we generally do in wards, infection control, team work, how i see myself in the future etc. Right there and then she hired me and told me to proceed in doing the next steps. The only problem with derby was their next deployment would be March 2020, so although I accepted the job, i still looked for other agency.
I also had a rejections, it was an experience i tell you. And it wasnt even the employers who rejected me, She was just an agent from a Trust in London. She told me that she think i couldnt cope with their busy ward as i worked in a clinic and that my only point of entry to UK is through a homecare. I wasn’t devastated cause I was already accepted in derby and just having this interview as fall back however i cant say i was not hurt. How could they judge how a person’s worth just cause of the work experience? and she was like degrading those in homecare. I have lots of respect to those who work in homecare, but that agency reiterated that thats my only entry to UK as if its so low. Well, the joke’s on her now.
By August 2019, All my papers and credentials are OSCE ready and I can fly anytime to UK, then Hazel took her IELTS in September and she passed! I passed her CV in Derby and they said they have a long queue so I retrieved my application cause i will not fly without her. We searched for Trust who can hire both of us.
In September 2019, We were interviewed in Blackpool Trust. to tell you honestly, i was skeptical at first. cause when i searched about blackpool in the internet, it wasnt pleasant. we did the interview anyways; and they loved us. before the end of that day, we received our offer letter. The only catch is, we needed to go back to the Philippines to process our papers. We accepted the offer, but told them we need to render 2 months notice to our present employers.
During those time, my wife and I still looked for other agencies that could fly us directly from Qatar. We did have skype interview with Luton and dunstable Trust, and we were both hired again. We were advised that we need to be out of the country before december 2019 because the next deployment would be Feb 2020. In between those times, Blackpool was still following us up, we still didnt decline them. Unfortunately, they couldn’t give Hazel a visa unless her credentials are OSCE ready, so we withdrew our application. and just focused in Blackpool.
November 27, 2019, We went back to the Philippines, and literally just when we arrived, We received our visa. That’s when we really thought that Blackpool is really for us. After the christmas holiday, we processed our visa and made appearance to the british embassy. and on Feb 19, 2020 we flew from Manila to Machester via Emirates.
We arrived in Blackpool on Feb 20. It was freaking cold 😂
Blackpool was not as bad as what we can read from the internet. They said it is always gloomy and wet here, but as i am typing this, i can feel the warmth of the sunrays. I fell inlove with the town. Blackpool has a slower pace compared to the cities and most towns. No traffic and very quiet. I may not have explored much because of the pandemic and all, but I can say that blackpool would be where i build my future family.
I started my work in Ward 24 (Post Acute Care) of Blackpool Victoria hospital on March 2020 just before the pandemic and lockdown started. Eveyone was just lovely and very welcoming. I can feel the support from my supervisors, to my colleagues and it was not hard to adjust after all. It was tiring but I am happy. I am happy because i’ve wanted to go back and work in the hospital for a long time and now i’m doing what i love to do, care for people, to multitask, running around, being busy, practicing my learned skills and passion. However, not everyday is a wonderful day. We were the first ward to be converted into Covid ward and yes it was horrible. With lack of staff due to covid afflictions plus anxiety that we might get the virus, it was very exhausting. There were times I broke down, cause while working I was also preparing for our qualification exam. With that being said, there is still no place I rather be. I have meet new people and some I can say will be friends for life.
One epitome point last year was when I visited the Harry Potter Studio in Watford. I almost cried when i was about to enter the studios. Its not because im the biggest Harry fan.. (or am i not?) but because It was just a DREAM. Now it was a dream turned to reality. Sounds cheesy but hey, there’s always a kid in me.
and Did I tell you, I was seen on british telly singing alongside with celebrities I adored growing up 😍 Not such a bad year.
It took so long for us to became UKRN because with the pandemic, all testing centers were closed. I became qualified and Registered Nurse in November, and after i had my pin, i worked independently as Staff Nurse... and the rest is history xx
That was my year so far. I realized that our dreams are valid regardless of how old or young we are. Lets keep chasing them. To my friends who were nurses but chose to be otherwise because there were no opportunities for us before, If you want to go back being a Nurse, this is the right time for you to migrate here in the UK as we could all have our second chance here. Just send me a message if you have questions. Happy to help!
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