First nurses recruited from the Philippines are graduating – all will continue to work for the City

Tears of happiness and joy were not in short supply when the 23 nurses who arrived from the Philippines in autumn 2023 celebrated their graduation as practical nurses on 13 June. It has been an eventful and memorable journey.

– “You have brought so much joy, warmth and light with you. It can be seen in everything you do, and it's really important to our clients," says Maritta Haavisto, Director of Senior Centres. 

– “Now, your journey will continue as care professionals. I am delighted that you will all continue to work with us.”  

The students in the group first trained as care assistants in Hong Kong. After their arrival in Finland, they continued their studies to become practical nurses. During their studies, they have worked in the City’s various senior centres. 

Work and further studies as future plans  

Cheryl Castillo and Josephine Bernabe described how they felt on their graduation day: great, but a little wistful and even slightly disbelieving. 

– “We have had really good support from both our teachers and colleagues throughout the journey. It has been a pleasure to study together with this group. The teachers and colleagues have always been there to help, no matter the issue," they say happily. 

– “My colleagues surprised me at work with a small graduation present. I didn't expect it and I was really delighted," Cheryl says. 

Both of the newly graduated practical nurses will continue in their current workplaces at the Kivelä Senior Centre and the Roihuvuori Senior Centre. Both have future plans to work in the care sector, improve their language skills and possibly continue their studies. 

– “I want to work as a practical nurse for at least a couple of years to gain some experience. After that, I would like to continue my studies to become a nurse. It would be great if my daughter could also move to Finland soon,” Cheryl says.

– “This job is a calling for both of us, we love it! The good feedback we get from our clients is the best part of this work. It's wonderful to hear that ‘you’re a sun, it's so great to have you here,’” the women say. 

Mira Kattilakoski, the instructor of the student group, easily agrees with the duo. 

– “When I think of all the students in this group, the first word that comes to mind is ‘courage’. The second is ‘motivation’ and the third is ‘joy’. I have heard nothing but good feedback about you. I am so proud of and happy about this group," she says. 

Now, their new country already feels like home, but Cheryl and Josephine say that arriving in Finland when autumn was starting to grow darker was not the easiest time. 

– “The Finnish summer is lovely, but the winter was a bit of a struggle at the beginning. That constant darkness and cold. But now we are used to it. In the beginning, we all ran to the window during lessons to watch the snowflakes fall,” they say with a laugh. 

Work in Finnish is going well, but studies still continue 

Although the women already speak Finnish well, they both consider it important to continue improving their language skills. 

– “We speak Finnish all the time at work, and with our clients too. We definitely want to learn more of the language. Speaking with others was nerve-wracking at first, especially if you had to call a client’s relative, but everything has gone really well. If I make a mistake and someone corrects it, that’s a good thing! Then I’ll know how to say it better,” the women say as one. 

– “Study Finnish, make it fun for yourselves. After that, all the doors are open for you,” encourage the teachers of the Helsinki Vocational College.  

– “But today is a time for celebration: This is your day! And as the lyrics of your song say, ‘What a journey it has been.’ Now let's celebrate this achievement!”