US seeks to hire over 300 Filipino nurses

More job opportunities abroad have opened up for Filipino nurses as the US hopes to address a nursing shortage.

In Mariz Umali’s report on 24 Oras on Tuesday, registered nurses with at least one year's experience headed to the Industrial Personnel and Management Services (IPAMS), a Department of Migrant Workers-certified licensed agency on Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, to meet with US headhunters looking for at least 300 qualified applicants.

One of the applicants is Police Corporal Genesis Adrigado, a Special Action Forces nurse from Batangas "Dahil sa pamilya ko mam kahirapan at gusto kong buhayin 'yung pamilya ko," he said.

Another is Josie Grace Francia, who worked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for 20 years but said that working in the US would be the "ultimate dream of nurses."

US employers are offering a salary of up to P3 to P5 million, depending on the experience of the applicant.

“In the US there's a nursing shortage, and we love nurses from the Philippines because they are so compassionate and kind,” said Susan Greenwood, vice president of Hendrick Health.

Applicants will also get help from Visa Solutions in processing their visas, National Council Licensure examination, and other requirements.

The employer could also shoulder the costs of applying for a green card permanent visa.

According to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, the country lacks at least 190,000 health workers, including nurses, as of last month.

But the DOH says it understands the situation of Filipino nurses and supports their search for higher salaries and better working conditions.

IPAMS is recruiting in Quezon City until tomorrow, June 5. They will also be open for recruitment in Tacloban on June 7. — Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News