Migrating to a new country is never easy. It’s a leap into the unknown, often filled with uncertainty, hardship, and unexpected challenges. But for many Filipino nurses, the decision to leave home is driven by the hope of a better life—for themselves and their families.
One Filipino nurse’s journey is a testament to the resilience and strength it takes to not only survive but to thrive and make a meaningful impact on an entire profession. Her story is one of grit, determination, and a deep commitment to advocating for those who, like her, once faced the daunting task of navigating a foreign healthcare system.
A New Beginning: From the Philippines to the U.S.
Ten years ago, Arlene “Ayen” Painagan, a young nurse and a licensed lawyer in the Philippines was already making a difference. As a clinical instructor, she taught future nurses and opened her review center, eager to inspire and shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. She had a stable life and her business was doing well. But while she was fulfilling her passion in the Philippines, she could not ignore the dreams of a better future for her children.
After nine years of waiting, the visa that would take her family to the United States finally came through. In 2015, she arrived in Illinois, hoping to start a new chapter in her life. However, the cold weather and high living expenses quickly proved overwhelming. The family was not prepared for the tough realities of starting anew in a foreign country. Still, they pressed on.
Struggles and Setbacks: The Early Years
The first few years in the U.S. were a constant struggle. The family relocated to Arizona, but the situation did not improve much. The family was forced to live in a hotel, with little money and no real sense of stability. The adjustment was difficult, and the cultural differences were stark. But through it all, she never lost sight of why she came—she was determined to provide a better life for her children.
Despite the constant challenges, there was one bright spot: the Filipino community. She began to connect with other Filipinos, whose kindness and solidarity gave her a lifeline during the toughest times. Social media also became a tool for connection, allowing her to build networks and find support in ways she never thought possible.
It wasn’t until she reached Austin, Texas, that she truly began to feel at home. Here, she found a city where she could see herself not just surviving but thriving.
The Nursing Crisis: COVID-19 and the Unmet Needs of Healthcare Workers
With new opportunities in Texas, she began working in San Antonio as a floor nurse, eventually moving into a supervisory role. But, as the healthcare system faced one crisis after another, she realized that the challenges faced by nurses were far greater than what she had expected.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a wave of understaffing, overwork, and burnout that hit the nursing community particularly hard. During this time, she found herself working long hours on the floor, trying to keep up with the overwhelming demand, while still facing the same systemic issues.
An encounter with a Filipino-American nurse sent by a staffing agency sparked her passion for making a change.
“We came to talk about the benefits, how is a staffing agency run, their salary and then she mentioned how much she was getting. I realized it was just one-fourth of the amount the agency was asking from the hospital,“ Arlene shares.
As she witnessed the strain on the healthcare system, she became more determined to make a change. It was clear to her that the solution was not just about individual resilience—it was about addressing the systemic issues that had long plagued the industry, such as unfair pay and poor working conditions for nurses.
A New Path: Ethical Recruitment and Advocacy for Nurses
In 2021, she made a pivotal decision to leave hospital work and focus her energy on creating a lasting change in the nursing profession. She founded a recruitment agency that aimed to offer legal and ethical solutions to the unethical practices she had witnessed in nursing recruitment.
Many Filipino nurses, especially those coming to the U.S., were being exploited by unscrupulous recruiters, often charged exorbitant fees for jobs that didn’t offer fair wages or good working conditions. She knew something had to change.
Her agency was built on the principles of fairness, transparency, and respect. Her mission was clear: to ensure that nurses—especially Filipino nurses—were treated with dignity and paid fairly for the hard work they did.
“I was not cutting the nurses’ salary. I am a nurse myself and I feel that I have the moral obligation to protect our international nurses also as a lawyer in the Philippines, I have the legal obligation to protect and promote the welfare of our Filipino nurses,” she says.
Empowering Nurses: The Rewards of Advocacy
One of the most fulfilling aspects of her work is seeing the transformation of nurses who arrive in the U.S. with little to no resources, only to find stable, rewarding work through her agency’s efforts. “Seeing the nurses arriving in the U.S. with their families and helping them without getting a single cent from them is for me a very rewarding one,” she shares.
Beyond helping nurses find work, her advocacy has also made a tangible difference in the healthcare community by contributing to solutions for the ongoing staffing crisis. Through her efforts, hospitals have been able to better meet their staffing needs, while Filipino nurses have been given a fairer opportunity to succeed.
But there have been challenges along the way— the long, tedious work of building a business and a reputation. Still, she remains passionate. Her business grows largely by word of mouth until this time when they no longer find it challenging to recruit nurses.
“We are satisfied and fulfilled because we know that at the end of the day, we can sleep because we are not taking advantage of the need for nurses and then we are taking care of nurses. That’s what matters to us, we have done something for the community and we saw that what we are doing is not left unnoticed,“ she says.
Recognitions and Awards
Indeed, her dedication and tireless advocacy did not go unnoticed as Arlene has been a recipient of various awards and recognitions. Recently, she was the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Texas (PACCTX) Regional & State winner, a prestigious award that is a testament to her hard work, ethical recruitment efforts, and leadership in advocating for fair practices within the nursing profession.
A Message to the Next Generation
For young Filipino nurses and aspiring migrants, her advice is clear: Migration is difficult, but it’s possible with patience, resilience, and a commitment to your goals. “Stay connected to your roots,” she encourages.
She also advises the younger generation to stay passionate about their work. “Healthcare is a tough field, but if you have compassion and care for others, you will always find purpose and fulfillment.”
A Legacy of Change
Today, as a nurse entrepreneur, advocate, and community leader, she continues to push for change in the healthcare system while uplifting her fellow Filipino nurses. Her journey—from struggling migrant to empowered advocate—reminds us that while migration may be filled with challenges, it is also a journey of transformation. By staying true to their roots and working together, Filipino nurses are not only building better futures for themselves but also shaping a more ethical, sustainable healthcare system for everyone.
