Don't you just love this site? It's really nice to know I'm not alone out here. The sharings on this site have really been inspiring. It's helped so many people and so I wanted to bring up my situation and consult with you guys too.
Well basically, as of this post I'm 21, I graduated in April of 2008, took my boards in November 2008 and had it that I passed when the results came out in February 2009. Waiting on the results and even before graduation though I had already applied for a job (non-nursing) so that somehow I could already start to help with my family financially. You see 3 years ago, just before graduating, my Dad passed away and he was my everything. My dad was like a walking allnurses.com. He used to guide me every step of the way as what I had to do and eventually got me where I am now. I didn't even have to think, just follow. If not for my scholarship he helped me find I wouldn't be able to get through nursing school. It was my dream to be a nurse. I looked up to my mom who was also an HCP during her time and enjoyed the stories she used to share with me as a midwife abroad. But ever since my Dad passed away when I was 18, I had to struggle doing things on my own and work for my Mom who now in the Philippines is currently unemployed. It just sucks that employers here consider experienced ex-OFWs as a liability because of their age and not as an asset because of their experience.
Anyways, I'm still with my non-nursing job because I can't afford to get a nurse job here in the Philippines without a salary but am planning to quit this year as my Mom is going to be petitioned for the USA by my brother. Then she'll be able to help with my allowances in case I have to settle with getting experience here. My brother by the way is turning 21 and is a US Citizen 'coz he was born there and works for the government under the US Navy. We've been separated ever since high school and poor little him had to separate from us when he was just 13 because we couldn't afford to put him through college - kinda like APL's story from the Black Eyed Peas. So he lived with the rest of our relatives there. It's still different though being with your immediate family. My aunts and uncles have their own families to take care of so me and my brother are really working hard to rid of them the burden of having to support us. Even sacrificed sleeping on the floor just for bedspace. It's really sad not being able to be with him because after bootcamp, nobody came to congratulate him when every other parent and sibling of other cadets went (we didn't have enough money to get a flight and attend).
So to cut things short. I'm going to be left alone here in the Philippines. I know it's going to be hard to get to the States but I'm really still eagered to pursue because of my family. For the sake of our togetherness and for the times we missed being with each other. It's my ultimate goal. My parents sacrificed being away from him just to look after me because I'm the only girl. And my dad died in the process due to an accident which he could have prevented from happening if he was in the States taking care of my bro.
Having been through all this, I can't just let go and give up on going to America. I CANNOT and WILL NOT take "NO", "IT"S IMPOSSIBLE" or "JUST GIVE UP" for an answer.
I've taken the NCLEX, and my IELTS (payed for these on my own) next is applying for a visa I guess to the US or getting experience to other countries. But I actually really am not sure if I'm doing the right thing or even getting any nearer. I don't want to prolong the waiting period as I know I still have a long way to go before I reach my ultimate dream. I'm just really lost right now.
A advice from any of you will be deeply appreciated.
