At the end of June, SkillGigs’ VP of Marketing Amanda Betts, sat down with another one of our talented foreign-trained travel nurses, Christine. This was after her chat with Elaine. Amanda was connected to Christine by way of another Kristine – a SkillGigs team member dedicated to supporting our foreign travel nurses. Nurse Christine agreed to have a recorded conversation about her life as an international travel nurse, what it’s like working with SkillGigs, as well as advice for others considering to be a SkillGigs travel nurse. Below is the full recording followed by the transcript. The conversation is fun and light-hearted and is great for all travel nurses, no matter where you call home.
You will see clips of the video recording on social media too!
If you have questions about how it works to be a SkillGigs Travel Nurse, click here. Any questions about our foreign train nursing program, reach out to info@skillgigs.com.
Transcript:
00:00:00 Amanda:
So as we get into it, could you let me know your name and where you are from?
Christine:
So I’m Christine. I came from the Philippines.
Amanda:
And what is it that you do? What is your job?
00:00:43 Christine:
So I’m a nurse, specifically an emergency room nurse.
Amanda:
Bless you. That’s fantastic. So how long have you been a registered nurse, Christine?
Christine:
OK so. A got started in 2010, took it, and took my exam in the Philippines, so I’ve been a registered nurse in the Philippines since 2010. So more like. 13-12 years.
Amanda:
And so what’s your favorite part about being a nurse?
Christine:
My favorite part is when the patient is thanking me for helping them. Though I know it’s my work, it feel it still feels good when they, appreciate you. That can’t be paid with money or anything.
Amanda:
Yeah, yeah, I think there’s a lot of, UM, emotional sacrifice that nurses give. And so when you get that reciprocated in a form of a thanks, that’s huge. No, I get that. Get that.
Christine:
Even like they give you a hug when they’re being discharged, it really feels so good because it feels like I’ve done a great thing, even though I’m just doing my best in my job.
Amanda:
The human-human connection. Very powerful. Never undercut that for sure.
So before coming to the US, did you get a chance to work in any other countries or was it just Philippines to the US?
Christine:
Ohh yeah, I’ve only worked in the Philippines since I become a registered nurse.
Amanda:
So what brought you to the US?
Christine:
First of all, it’s the opportunity. The grass is greener in the US if you compare it in the Philippines, so. That’s it.
Amanda:
Grass is always greener somewhere, yeah. Though is your first agreement coming to the US, was that with SkillGigs; were you working with another agency?
Christine:
No, it’s with SkillGigs.
Amanda:
OK, so how long have you been on contract with SkillGigs
Christine:
I had my interview with SkillGigs, like 2021 I think, but I arrive here the end of 2022. And I’ll be with the with SkillGigs for three years and hopefully more.
Amanda:
Yeah, of course, of course. So getting into some of those steps, I’m curious to know what was that process like interviewing? Was it hard? Was it easy to navigate? Just walk me through that.
Christine:
OK so, I had an online interview back when I’m in the Philippines with, I forgot me, but it’s one of the HR. The interview process is smooth, it’s just the time difference is kind of hard cause you know it will be afternoon in the US and it will be like 12 midnight in the Philippines, but it’s good cause I’m usually on night shift.
So I’m also wake up. Right. And interviewer are very nice. They make me feel at ease even though it’s a, it’s an interviewer. They make me feel like it’s just like a conversation. So I feel that ease.
Amanda:
Christine, where are you currently based out of, where is your current gig?
Christine:
OK, I’m currently in Augusta, GA. At doctor’s hospital.
Amanda:
OK, So what was it like first coming to Georgia? Because that’s different.
Christine:
Very different at first. It’s overwhelming cause it’s a new place, but since Kristine (a SkillGigs healthcare support team member) was with me. I felt kind of OK, cause she’s been helping me with moving in with all the getting house, getting around, getting familiarized with it. And it helped a lot.
Amanda:
Oh good.
Now being an ER nurse now, the specialty of emergency room. Was that what you’re doing in the Philippines or is, ER, new for you?
Christine:
I’ve been an ER nurse for seven years before coming here. And even before that, I’m in a like a small clinic emergency room as well, so. I mean like an adrenaline junkie, as they say.
Amanda:
Also, I can say, you probably have seen it all.
So good question, I would love to ask you, would be you know, what advice would you have for other nurses looking to be a travel international nurse?
Christine:
First of all, it’s the experience, the experience of like even just a few months years in the Philippines can help you a lot here in the US, although the there’s a big difference with healthcare. The basic skills will really help you cause technology wise US is more advanced than Philippines, but you could cope up with it. But having the experience, the basic skills of nursing, the heart for nursing, that’s what makes that difference.
Amanda:
The soft skills, those stay the same. You know, the soft skills? Hard can be taught. Soft is what makes you a nurse. And that’s what you got to have to shine through. That’s good advice.
What would you go back and tell yourself three years ago or actually three years ago, two years ago when you first were exploring the travel bit? Is there anything you wish you could go back and tell yourself to do something differently or watch out for or consider?
Christine:
Actually none, I mean. I could tell her that you should have start earlier. That’s it.
Amanda:
So before joining the whole SkillGigs process and coming on over, when you were a nurse in the Philippines, were you a staff nurse or were you working with agencies there to get your jobs?
Christine:
Ohh I’m a full time staff nurse in a hospital.
Amanda:
So this is really different. So this was the first time kind of going off a traditional staff.
Christine:
Yeah, like you have, you’re not really an employee of the hospital. You know there’s always an in between, but I’m I’m still glad with the SkillGigs because like Kristine (our SkillGigs rep) always answer my questions, every time I have any questions or or if I have a problem with anything. She will answer me. So that’s good.
Amanda:
Yeah. Good, good. So then, what would you say, good or bad or both? Are some of the biggest differences between being a former staff nurse and then working on assignment through a platform like SkillGigs?
Christine:
I’m I’m not sure if it’s a bad thing or not, but since. There are certain things like the staff is getting in the hospital and as a travel nurse like international travel nurse we’re not sure if we’re we were able to get it but.
Kristine (SkillGigs team member), always answer me questions so I don’t have a problem with it, but that’s the big difference between being like a full stop like in the Philippines or you get all the benefits at once. But if you’re in a travel agency, I still need to ask.
The really the biggest difference is when you’re staff, everything is kind of automatic and assumed. And when you’re in travel, you just have to be more proactive and making sure you’re asking the right questions.
Amanda:
Is that fair? OK. Yes, good to know.
Now, is there anything about SkillGigs specifically that you’re excited to explore with the contractor you are on, anything that stood out to you that made you choose to come over with SkillGigs.
Christine:
Actually I like that I could. At first that I could go to a different state because initially I thought I’ll only be in Texas. But then Kristine told us that ohh no, you could go to other States and she gave us options.
And that’s that’s why I’m here in Georgia, near my friend.
What I remember is when Kristine told me, if you don’t feel safe at your place or if there’s something wrong you think is wrong, that’s happening at your place just inform us cause she will do something about it to, like, protect us. So it really makes me feel like I will be protected. I mean, not all agents will do that, I think.
Amanda:
I’m not saying they’re all bad, so do know that I’m not completely anti that, but I do feel like that extra mile that SkillGigs does commit to whave that layer of dedicated support no matter what type of nurse you are throughout the entire process is what I think does changes from agency because agency really, their relationships with the facility first,
Christine:
yeah.
Amanda:
And we’re both sided. So it’s not like someone gets all of our energy. We’re not just client focused, gives us more opportunity to be more talent centric. So I’m glad. I’m glad to hear that you feel that way.
So back to being a nurse, right? It’s what you are, It’s what you do. What do you need to feel supported when you are on assignment? I know you’ve touched on it, but if you can let me know what is it that you feel like you need to feel supported.
Christine:
I actually can’t think of anything but one thing I like about. My current job is that I get a housing allowance which really helps. Cause not not all get, have that.
Amanda:
So what is, and I like, I love asking this question of any nurse truthfully, but what do you wish staffing firms, recruiters, employers knew about your life as an international travel nurse?
Christine:
Maybe just. You know how are like in the Philippines. Our culture is like we were so tight so having like, when getting to a new place, having a like a Filipino community, I know in Filipino community will help someone new? I think staffing agency could like, you know have or I mean, for my experience, Kristine tried looking for a Filipino community for me where I could interact with. But I was all I was lucky cause on my orientation day I met a Filipino instantly.
I’m just really lucky. But that will really help any international travel nurse. Especially if they’re new here having just like any community that will help them. You know, like sort of a moral, moral support in a way, knowing that there are others like you.
Amanda:
That’s something very, there’s something very powerful about community. Now, I’m a big proponent of inclusivity because that’s how we learn and expand, however, if you have a group of people who kind of understand what you’ve all gone through there is that sense of, power in numbers, to persevere when things get a little challenging or it creates an automatic trust network so you feel less alone, right? So I can totally get that.
I think that’s great advice and something that maybe we can take into consideration too as we place individuals. Do we know of any resources or outlets for them to create that? And I think that’s huge. Yeah, I think that’s great. And completely relatable.
Well, truly, Christine, you’ve answered most of my main questions here. Is there anything else that you would want to share any advice, any last comments about either the job that you’re on working for SkillGigs or the role of being international nurse?
Christine:
First of all, just like what everyone is saying, this is just advice for you. Nurses always read your contract. I mean, I read my contract. I agree with it. And I’m I’m happy with what’s happening with me. And of course, do your research on the place you’re going to.
And yeah, like what I did, I find the community Kristine help me with it and you know just do your best in your work have that extra initiative to read to enhance your knowledge, your skills even before going here, cause it will be like going into a battle with alot of ammo, you know. So with a lot of bullets and everything, something like that.
I always think also talking with your agent sharing what you feel. In a nice way, you know it helps, it helps cause I believe that being like super demanding or you know it creates a rift between you and your aide. And that’s a big, a big problem and there’s like a gap between you and your agent.
Amanda:
But I think the advice you’re giving is spot on, right? Equip yourself with your own knowledge. Yeah, the end of the day, no matter who you’ve surrounded yourself with, you have to learn to trust yourself. And if you’re not willing to advocate for yourself properly, or ask the right questions. You can find yourself kind of in a in a bad spot, or maybe not what you had expected. So always take that time to understand what it is you’re signing up for. 100% agree and that is good advice regardless of what you’re doing or where you’re going. Right? So yeah, I love that. OK, good.
Amanda:
I think one of the reasons why we’re doing this is we’re trying to build trust, right. Anyone travel nurse or international travel nurse, you are picking up your life and you’re moving for a period of time. And sometimes it’s it’s a lot of trust and a lot of faith that this will work out and it can be really scary.
And so my hope in doing this conversation with you, I spoke with another nurse earlier in the week by the name of Elaine. I don’t know if you know of Elaine.
Christine:
Yes
Amanda:
And then some other nurses who are stateside creating some of this content so people understand in their community. That you can try this and that it is safe and it is an option for you to consider, and we know that nurses really rely on nurses like, you guys are a close-knit community.
Well, Christine, I really appreciate you taking some time this afternoon. Enjoy your nice Georgia weekend. I’m sure it’s humid and beautiful out.
Alright, thank you. Take care.
Christine:
You too, bye.
