First group of nurses recruited from the Philippines graduate: All to continue working for the City

Tears of joy and heartfelt celebration filled the room on 13 June, as the first group of 23 nurses recruited from the Philippines in autumn 2023 graduated as practical nurses. It marked the end of an eventful and unforgettable journey – and the beginning of a new chapter. 

– “You have brought so much joy, warmth and light with you. It shows in everything you do, and it means so much to our clients,” says Maritta Haavisto, Director of Senior Centres. 

– “Now your journey continues as care professionals, and I’m delighted that you will all remain with us.” 

The nurses had previously trained as care assistants in Hong Kong before arriving in Finland to continue their studies towards becoming practical nurses. During their training, they worked at various senior centres across the City. 

Looking ahead: work and further studies   

Graduates Cheryl Castillo and Josephine Bernabe describe feeling a mix of happiness, disbelief and a touch of wistfulness on their graduation day. 

– “We’ve had such strong support from our teachers and colleagues throughout this journey. Studying together with this group has been a joy. No matter what the issue is, someone is always ready to help,” they say. 

– “My colleagues even surprised me with a small graduation gift at work. I didn’t expect it and it made me really happy,” says Cheryl. 

Both Cheryl and Josephine will continue working in their current roles at Kivelä Senior Centre and Roihuvuori Senior Centre. Looking ahead, they hope to build their careers in the care sector, continue improving their Finnish and possibly pursue further studies. 

– “I want to work as a practical nurse for a couple of years to gain experience. After that, I’d like to study to become a nurse. And I hope my daughter can move to Finland soon,” says Cheryl. 

– “This work is a calling for both of us – we love it! The best part is hearing positive feedback from our clients. It’s heartwarming when someone says, ‘You’re like the sun! It’s so wonderful to have you here,’” the two women say. 

Mira Kattilakoski, the group’s instructor, wholeheartedly agrees. 

– “When I think of this group, the first word that comes to mind is ‘courage.’ The second is ‘motivation,’ and the third is ‘joy’. I hear nothing but positive feedback. I’m so proud of this group,” she says. 

While Finland now feels like home, Cheryl and Josephine recall that arriving just as the dark autumn set in wasn’t easy. 

– “Summer in Finland is beautiful, but the first winter was tough. It was so dark and cold all the time! But now we’ve got used to it. In the beginning, we would all run to the window during lessons just to watch the snowflakes fall,” they say with a laugh. 

Working in Finnish and continuing to learn 

The women already speak Finnish well and use the language daily at work, but both say they are committed to continuing their language studies. 

– “We speak Finnish all the time at work, even with our clients. We definitely want to keep improving. Speaking used to feel nerve-wracking, especially when calling a client’s relative, but everything has gone really well. If I make a mistake and someone corrects me – that’s a good thing! That’s how I learn,” they say. 

– “Make Finnish fun and just keep learning. Once you do, every door opens,” encourage the teachers of Helsinki Vocational College.  

– “But today is a day to celebrate. This is your moment! As the lyrics of your graduation song say: ‘What a journey it has been.’ Now, let’s celebrate your achievement!”