Memoir of an Immigrant Nurse

By Jania Hebron

Photo Essay

Rodolfo Hebron, the main character in this so-called story, has been working for over two decades in this grueling, challenging, but overall rewarding career. Twenty-six longing years spent assisting people in need. Eight to ten hours a day for the whole week just to care for patients. “Is it worth it?”, I asked. “Definitely”, my dad responded.

Rodolfo Misola Hebron Jr., named after his father, was born in Zambales, Philippines on August 7, 1965. His parents, Abelina Hebron and Rodolfo Hebron Sr. gave birth to six children including Rodolfo. All of their names start with the letter ‘r’, Rodolfo, Rossana, Rowena, Raul, Ronald, and Rolly.

Rodolfo Hebron Sr. was a famous doctor in their town. He aided people who did not have money and insisted to pay for their bills instead. He visited homes of people that needed medical support and accommodated them. He was a doctor that was loved by all until he grew old. He became a hero for everyone especially his son Rodolfo. This motivated Rodolfo Hebron Jr. to enter the medical field. He wanted to follow the steps his father left behind and continue his legacy because he grew weak and passed away at an early age.

Overall, Rodolfo has no regrets as to why he decided to join the medical field. After following his father’s footsteps to pursue his dream, he was motivated to strive for more. He experienced hardships through the journey, however, he was rewarded with multiple rewards after and would not exchange his job for anything.

Interview

Interviewee: My father, Rodolfo Hebron

1. What changes were made throughout your career?
Learn nursing, training, exam, seminar, internship, specialty in wound
2. What made you commit over eleven years into this work?
Because I like this job and I worked hard for it.
3. How many jobs did you have before you got the one you have today?
I had 4 previous jobs
4. What were the jobs you've had before?
Pharmacist, nurse, clinical supervisor, medical director
5. How was learning about your career in school different from actually working in that field?
In school, everything is sensitive and you’re not allowed to touch any patients but in the field itself, it’s an actual experience and you’re not supposed to practice on them
6. Did you want to do this job? Or would you like to do something else?
I like it but I’m still aiming for something higher.
7. How did you end up with this job?
By studying hard and doing lots of training.
8. How did you know that this was the job you'd want to do for some amount of time?
Because this is the job that is stable and in demand anywhere.
9. How many hours do you work a day? How many days a week?
8-10 hours, 7 days a week
10. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Experience and being able to socialize and hear different stories
11. What do you dislike most about your job?
Patients dying and stressful life
12. Not including pay or benefits, do you truly enjoy your job? Why or why not?
Being able to socialize because I get to meet other people and they tell me about their personal backgrounds
13. Have you ever considered another career?
Yes
14. How is your work now different or similar to the previous jobs you had before?
They’re all similar because it all relates to the medical field
15. What was it like working in a country far away from where your family was?
Financial stability and the income is highly competitive compared to the Philippines
16. As an immigrant to this country, in what ways has that affected your ability to work in this country?
The language barrier, culture shocks, racial discrimination, differences in cultures and beliefs, need to respect different kinds of religion, faster way of life compared to the Philippines.
17. How has the work environment changed in the last two decades?
More advanced technology and things, advanced training medication,
18. Did you work because you felt forced into it or was it simply out of enjoyment toward that career?
Enjoying my career because of good income and demand for this work.
19. Do you believe you get paid enough for what you do?
No, because there is a high cost of living even if you earn high you pay high.
20. What stress did you feel raising a family while working in a new country?
Many bills, tuition, everything is higher compared to the Philippines, everything is required like insurance medical house and so on there is a high payment for college housing.
21. Do you have any regrets in the career path you took?
No, I don’t
22. Do you see yourself doing this job in the next few years?
Yes
23. Is a paycheck the most important thing at your job? If not, what is it?
No, the fulfillment and happiness in doing the job and camaraderie with colleagues
24. How are you going to prepare for retirement?
By saving money, putting 4O1K (IRA)
25. What inspired you to go into this field?
Family, patients, helping other people and the ones in need

Cites

1. Hebron, Abigail. "New Years" January 1, 2017


2. Hebron, Hannah. “Utah Family Trip” 2012


3. Hebron, Rizanne. “Christmas Family Reunion” December 25, 2013


4. Interview. November 24, 2018 https://docs.google.com/document/d/118oUrkqgyWd0l2d51Q-r9pB3v-O0oCMcVV2CBthfEDI/edit


5. Jones, Peter. “22 Reasons Being a Nurse Is Really Hard.” TheJobNetwork, 12 July 2017, www.thejobnetwork.com/being-a-nurse-062016/


6. Rodis, Rodel. “Why Are There so Many Filipino Nurses in the US?” Inquirer Global Nation The Filipino Diaspora Comments, Inquirer Global Nation, 12 May 2013, globalnation.inquirer.net/74321/why-are-there-so-many-filipino-nurses-in-the-us


7. Susan Garcia. “College Graduation Pictorial” 1988


8. “Top 5 Benefits of Becoming a Nurse.” Nursing Jobs, www.nursingjobs.com/explore-travel-nursing/things-to-know/content/top-5-benefits-becoming-nurse.


9. “Top 7 Reasons to Study Medicine.” MastersPortal, 18 Apr. 2017, www.mastersportal.com/articles/422/top-7-reasons-to-study-medicine.html.


10. “What Is a Nurse Practitioner and What Do They Do? - NP FAQ.” Nurse Practitioner Schools, www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-is-np.