This monthly feature aims to put a human face on overseas Filipino healthcare workers. We ask them how they’re coping with the pandemic: what drives them, what their future plans are, and how they’re taking care of themselves. Read part 1 of this series featuring Johns Hopkins critical care nurse Louella Bernales.
Filipino nurse Jorge Inot is grateful for the educational opportunities that opened up for him after arriving in the UK in 2004.
Now a cardiothoracic nurse in London’s Bart’s Heart Centre at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, he had spent several years in Hong Kong as a private physiotherapist. His hard work, experience, and degree helped fast-track his career. Through numerous training opportunities and study days offered by his company, Jorge managed to complete his nursing degree from one of the best universities in London, graduating with distinction, which he takes pride in as a “lifetime achievement.”
Jorge recognizes that thousands of people in the UK were furloughed or lost their jobs during the pandemic, but being an essential worker, his role was in demand. So he took it upon himself to find time for learning to keep up with developments in his field.
The pandemic had disrupted career opportunities for most industries. At his hospital, the budget for training and development had shrunk. Still Jorge managed to attend webinars and conferences over Zoom, supplementing with online courses and independent learning during the lockdown.
Life at work
Part of Jorge’s work involves pre-assessing patients for admission and ensuring that relevant tests like bloodwork are carried out, and diagnostic procedures like chest X-rays and lung function tests are fulfilled.
During the pandemic, his unit had to change its protocol to minimize exposure between patients and healthcare workers. Some of the pre-assessment work was carried out over the telephone, and a swab test was required for face-to-face consultation or patients with scheduled operations. This allows the unit to keep its services running while prioritizing the safety of patients and staff, explained Jorge.
“We make sure patients understand the new admissions protocol such as the isolation policy, the importance of handwashing, the strict implementations of no visitors in the hospital, and for patients coming in for surgery not to use public transport. We also observe strict protocol during face-to-face physical examination by wearing protective equipment, sanitizing all equipment used, and practicing proper disposal,” Jorge said.
Prioritizing family, health
A Covid survivor, Jorge is a strong advocate for healthy living. Aside from watching his diet and having regular exercise, he makes sure to spend quality time with family.
“What keeps me going is my family. If I see them smiling and healthy, that helps me a lot. The pandemic made me see that life is precious and how, working in a fast-paced city like London, I’ve missed a lot of opportunities to spend precious time with my family. I realized that I needed to slow down and appreciate what truly matters to me—family, friends, and connections I have made over the course of my life.”
Having more time with family, Jorge has come to realize that truly one doesn’t need much to be happy and that he can survive with the bare minimum. “In fact, I’ve started teaching my kids to be comfortable with what they already have.”
He admits missing the freedom and the normalcy of pre-pandemic life, and recognizes that social isolation is a “tough challenge” for one’s mental health. But as a healthcare professional, he understands the reasons why all need to keep our distance: to help flatten the curve and ensure everyone’s welfare. Until we’re all able to gather the way we did pre-pandemic, Jorge is content with making travel plans with friends and family, hopeful that it will happen one day soon.
Wingspan has partnered with hospitals in the US and UK to hire and deploy hundreds of nurses from the Philippines, many of whom continue to be part of the fight against Covid-19. To understand our services, contact solution@wingspan-consulting.com.