A Nurse’s Success Story: Leslyn’s Achievements 5 years after coming to Australia

Success Stories / January 8, 2023 / By

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You might still be on your way to get your Australian RN registration or you might still be in the Philippines and you are considering moving into Australia. Whichever stage you are at, you might be asking yourself what your future holds and if coming to Australia is worth the huge investment.

I will share with you a true story about Leslyn’s journey, how it all started, the challenges she faced, all her achievements in her first five years in Australia, and her tips for people who plan to migrate to Australia.

 

How it all started

Leslyn is originally from Zambales and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in Baguio.  Leslyn’s first job was as a Theatre Nurse in Paranaque and then worked in Olongapo to be near her family. Leslyn set her mind to migrate to the US and took her IELTS exam.

Leslyn’s colleague introduced her to the idea of coming to Australia instead.  After doing some research and getting advice from friends, Leslyn chose to come to Australia.

 

Challenges

Leslyn was expecting to find a job right away once she arrived in Melbourne and that it would also be easy for her to eventually buy her own house and save money quickly.  However, Leslyn was on visitor visa (business stream) when she was doing her Nurse Bridging Program(IRON).  Leslyn did not have work rights on this visa and without any income, Leslyn struggled to survive while studying.

Leslyn went back to the Philippines after completing her IRON program (as her visa had a maximum stay of 3 months) and came back to Australia with the goal of getting a job as an RN.  Leslyn hand- delivered her CV to health and medical facilities while she was in Brisbane but did not get any interest from employers. Leslyn was worried and even considered turning her back on her Australian dream.

Opportunities

At the time when Leslyn’s stay in Australia was nearly reaching its third month, Leslyn’s IRON provider gave her an opportunity to do an internship in Kaniva under an internship visa.  Leslyn worked as an intern Practice Nurse and, while doing her internship we also lodged her Permanent Residency visa application.  Within three months, Leslyn’s PR visa was granted.

During Leslyn’s stay in Kaniva, she also worked at the hospital (an affiliate company of the Practice where she was working) on weekends.  This hospital has an aged care facility also which led to Leslyn  acquiring knowledge and getting exposure in Aged Care while juggling her duties as a Practice and Hospital Nurse.

 

How Leslyn met the love of her life

While working in Kaniva, one of Leslyn’s patients played cupid and introduced her to Gerald (Gerald used to work as a Pharmacist at the same facility).  Their meeting worked out well and they dated for a few years before they got married.  They initially had a long-distance relationship since Leslyn was in Kaniva and Gerald was in Warrnambool.

Leslyn tried to get a job in Warrnambool in one of her visits to Gerald.  She handed her CV to Aged care facilities and hospitals in Warrnambool.  Luckily, Leslyn got a call for interview within an hour of submitting her CV and on that same day she was offered a job at an Aged Care facility.

Leslyn is still working in the same Aged Care facility in Warrnambool as a Clinical Manager and she now handles two of their company’s aged care facilities.

 

Achievements

In the span of five years, Leslyn gained her Australian RN registration, worked in Practice, in a hospital and an aged care facility, was promoted to handle two facilities as a Clinical Manager, found the love of her life, got married this year in September, and moved to their newly built house in November this year.

Leslyn achieved personal and professional growth as well as spiritual growth (with strong influence from her husband whom she shared the same faith with).

Tips

Leslyn imparts three tips for people who want to call Australia their new home:

  1. Keep the faith and trust in the Lord.
  2. Get the right advice from the right people.
  3. Be willing to adapt and be open.

Dreams do come true and the huge investment of coming to Australia is all worth it.  I hope that Leslyn’s story has given you inspiration and the inner strength to deal with the daily struggles you might be facing.  Just hold on, trust in the Lord, and you will get there.