Giving Birth in the USA and Immigrating with Kids

Good morning everybody. It's 7am and it's Friday so it must be the Onwards and Upwards Connetics live Facebook Show. I'm your host Danielle Chasin and I'm so excited to be here with everybody this morning. We have a very special topic. We're going to be talking about kids and babies in America. So please say hello, tell me where you're from in the chat, drop a question, and our guests would love to answer your questions. For most of you that are regulars on the show, you're probably thinking this space looks a little bit familiar, but not our regular host, Tanya Freedman. For those of you who might be wondering, my maiden name is actually Danielle Freedman. So I am Tanya's daughter. So I'm excited to be hosting this special show with everybody. And, and once again, please say hi in the chat and let me know where you're watching from let me know if you have any questions we would love to answer. Um, a little bit of background on why this show is so exciting for me.

So I actually moved to America when I was eight from South Africa. My mom she often talks about if you're a regular on the show, she often talks about how she moves moved with two young kids to America. That was me and my sister. We were eight and four. So we know very well about the long journey to America all about that experience. And then it's really come full circle for me. I actually have a six month old daughter, her name is Emma, and she is the first US born citizen in my family. So I have a very unique perspective for the show. And I'm excited to share some tips and some thoughts with everybody. It looks like we have Jen, who is watching from the Philippines. Melanes is from the Philippines. Alden from Fort Myers. So we're covering all over the world. Hello to everybody. Hello, hello. So please, if you have any questions, put them in the tracks. Also make sure to apply to our website, ConneticsUSA.com/apply and our recruiters are waiting and they are ready to help you. So without further ado, we have some very exciting guests for you this morning. Let's bring in our guests.

Hello, ladies, so nice to see you all this morning. Thank you all for joining me around and just say good morning. You all want to go around and maybe just say your name, where you are and tell us a little bit about why you're joining the special kids and Baby Show. Do you want to start Holly? Morning everyone. My name is Holly Field and I am with AMN International, O'Grady Peyton. I am a clinician Support Specialist. But my background that I feel contributes to this form is I was a community liaison for over three years. So I have welcomed over probably 200 nurses and their families and children to the United States. And as a current CSS as we call it. I currently support them while they're two years on assignment, adjusting and acclimating to the US it's a very rewarding job to work with all your nurses and I wish you the best as you make your American Journey.

Wow, over 200 nurses Holly, that's amazing. So that's a lot of nurses, more people and families because 200 nurses plus their kids, their spouses. That's amazing. We're excited to hear all your perspective on this very interesting topic. Do you want to go next Mary Joy? Yeah, okay. Hi. I'm Mary, Mary Joy. I'm one of the nurses that Connetics brought here in the US. I've been a nurse for 12 years already. So all of my practices is in the Philippines. And now I'm practicing here in Florida, USA, specifically here in Jacksonville. And I'm glad to share my experience migrating here in the US having an infant like we are when we move here, my daughter is just six years old, and I'm pregnant. So I want to I want to share my experience and any tips that you can that I can give to you just to have a good transition here in the US. Okay, amazing. Marry joy and how far along are you up? Currently? I'm like six years. I mean, six months now here in the US. Forgive me. I came from my nightshift that's like, oh, no, that's right now.

That's okay. You said you were you're so you have a one year old and you're currently pregnant, right? No, I already gave birth. Birth. Okay. When you give birth, April. So you have a two month old? Yes, sir. Have a year old and a two months old. Very exciting. Wow. Very, very exciting. Okay, well, we're gonna hear all about that. Do you want to go next, Jess? Oh, yes. Hello. Good morning everyone. And yeah, my name is Maria suicide and call me chairs for short. I am a registered nurse here in Texas and actually before I was in the Middle East specifically in Qatar, and like all of you I feel I feel privileged and I'm happy to share my just a few already squeezes because we just arrived here like the last week of March here in Texas as an immigrant and also the same time as a mother I am I'm actually working in pediatric emergency setting pediatric er. And I already a mother of two and an expectant mother. Yeah. But my baby bump is here. Yeah, 37 weeks or more than like that. And actually a good to just to pop out my OB says, actually we are literally waiting for you to pop out anytime. Yeah, yes. And then always have this history of early delivery or more than expected the oh my goodness. So we're very lucky to have you on the show because you are 38 weeks. And you said you could be doing birth any day. Wow. Well, that is so exciting. Well, congrats to you, Mary Joy on your two months old. And to you Jess on making it to 38 weeks. We'll see what happens. We're excited that we have you here this morning. All right, so I'm just looking in the chat. It looks like we have Jules saying hello from the UK Jhalak saying hello from the Philippines, Alyssa saying hello from hello from San Diego. But she's originally from Australia by the UK. Hello to everybody who's watching.

This is the Connetics onwards and upwards show and we are talking about kids and babies. So I know for a lot of our nurses, you are moving with your families. And we are going to talk all about that today. So very excited to have my guests Holly Jes, and Mary Joy. Thank you for joining me this morning. So before we get started talking about having kids in the US, I think let's talk a little bit about the journey to come here. So let's pull up our success path. I know for a lot of our nurses, you know, there's a lot of amazing information out there on how to get to America. We live in the internet age. And it's great to have all of these resources, but sometimes it can feel a little bit overwhelming.

So what Connetics did is we created our success path for nurses. And this is something that you can always reference anytime you're wondering, you know, how do I get there? What's my plan, you can find this on our websites Conneticsusa.com . And it runs through each step that an international nurse needs to take to get to America. So this is something that both Mary Joy and Jess have followed because they are now prospering here. So let's go back to that success path and just walk through a couple of the steps. So the first step for all international nurses to come to America is to take the NCLEX. So that's going to be your number one step. The second step, once you've passed that NCLEX, you are going to prepare for the interview. So our Connetics recruiters are standing by the waiting for you to apply and they are going to work with you to help you figure out what's gonna be your best match in the US. So we're going to hear from Mary Joy and Jess why they decided to go to Florida and to Texas.

But you know, for a lot of nurses, maybe you have family, maybe you want to experience a white Christmas for the first time, whatever it may be, our recruiters will work with you to figure out what's going to be your best placement in the US. Once you do your interview and hopefully get your offer, you're going to move to step three, which is the visa framework. This is where we will help you collect all of your documents get ready to apply for your green card. Step four is licensing and credentialing will help you get your license endorsements, your visa screen certificates, all of these documents that you need in order to get your green card. Once you get to step five, that's when your green card has been approved and you're preparing to go to the US. You're doing your happy dance because you got your green card, you're finally on your way after a long time of studying and preparing. And Step six is the arrival sequence. So this is where you are touching down in the US.

You've finally reached your American dream and Connetics is going to be here to support you with orientation training. We have a concierge service and let's pick you up at the airport. And Step seven is enjoy and prosper. And that is what we want for all of our nurses. And that is what is happening now for Mary Joy and Jess. So thank you once again for being here today. We're excited to hear all about your experience and to hear from Holly who has helped over 200 nurses that is amazing transition to when they came to the US so very exciting stuff. So let's get started. So Mary Joy, can you maybe tell us why you decided to immigrate to the US as a registered nurse you know In the Philippines, it's really hard to do to work and to, to have savings. And so like other reasons, us is the land of opportunity. So they say that if you work hard you are, you got to see that you really work hard. So, of course, I want to be I want to I want to I want to have, I want my dream to come true. My us dream. So I pursue and decided to apply Kinetix to, to help me make this dream come true. And now luckily, unfortunately, I'm having it now, though, you have a lot of challenges that we'll be facing. But in God's grace, you'll be having it, you know, just have patience and trust the process. So that's it.

Yeah, that's good advice. That's good advice. I think for especially I know, even for my parents, when we moved to the US from Africa, we knew that it was going to be very challenging, but like you said, America is the land of opportunity. And it sounds like you had the same feeling that my parents did. They wanted to give us more opportunity. They wanted us to live the American dream, even if they knew it was going to be a hard transition. So thank you for sharing your a joy dress, I saw you nodding your head in agreement. What why did you decide to come to the USRN? Oh, of course. Yeah, just like the other reason, but that for them, it is also my reason. But honestly speaking, my American dream coming to the US is actually like almost forgotten. Because, yeah, I graduated like more than a decade ago. And then and landed in a good job, actually a good paying job back in the Middle East where we have allowances and the stocks free, you have some perks are were enjoying. Plus, my husband really had a good stable job over there. But the thing here is when the rest retrogression is like almost lifted up, and the visa now became open or to the Philippines. So I really just try my luck. Oh, I forgot to say that when COVID hits all of us here, this is really my turning point that hey, like, I really need to do something or you know, to try a better opportunity than what I have right now. And so when I pass the NCLEX, I believe that this is now the starting process, like this is now already the good vibe that I already have, I will really get into the US. So that's it. And then it follows as I really focus on the plan that is already before there. And at this all my it's a family decision, and they have accepted it. And so I came to we really come up to us.

Okay, okay. Yeah. I mean, we you so you have a 10 year old and an eight year old, is that, right? So it really had to be a family decision. It was something you had to talk about with your kids, it was going to be a big life change. What did you say to your kids, when you were, you know, deciding we're gonna move to the US and what was their reaction? Like? Yeah, at first, actually, this kids like, doesn't like, like, they don't care that much in the first place. But when I told already, like, we are nearing the process of getting the visa and everything that we already have, like, we're gonna leave the house soon, we're selling everything. Now they started to search, where are we going? They started to google it and then they really ask are there are there good people index or something like that? Are we able to make friends over there? And will they enjoy so the things that they're really asking because you know, this 10 year old and this kids, they will they will really ask and I think they really have to be involved with this from the transitioning with all of this one. So they will feel that it's not just they work with they belong to the family, but they really belong in the decision making and in the process of our majority of moving because you know, moving to a different state setting them down is really a it's really a big a big decision for a family. Definitely, definitely.

I think in some ways it's easier when you have younger kids such as Mary Joy, she Have a one year old, you know that one year old kind of just goes along. But I think it can be a little bit harder when you have older kids. I remember when my parents told us I was eight at the time, so similar to your kids dress, and I remember thinking, I already have friends here, my family's here, why would I leave my home country to move there? And I had similar questions, how am I going to make friends? And what's it going to be like? What did you say to your kids? When they asked you those difficult questions? How did you reassure them?

I just told them, it our language, you know, that anyway, this is I think the God's will for us, because everything like go smoothly went smooth, different all the process. And I told them that anyway, mom and dad will always be here. And of course, we will make sure that you are in a good place that you will enjoy the things there, you will have a good social life, you're going to meet new people, but of course, we will make sure that you will not be hurt. Of course, they're really the afraid of the bullying because you know, we're back in our life in the Middle East, really, they really have a good friends and you know, like everything in the life there is like almost not really a paradise. But it's like almost perfect because they didn't experience some bullying with the kids and other children. They were they're really enjoying really.

So I thought it will be a different set of people, different phrases, probably and you know, different personalities. But this will help you and we as your parents will always be there to guide you all throughout the process. I love that. So a lot of reassurance that you as their parents will always be there for them. I think that's a beautiful way to go about it. And it reminds me of what my parents said to me when we were moving. Holly, what do you see is the biggest challenge for parents when they're preparing to move to the US when they're talking to their kids. So I happen to be a that's okay. I happen to be a military spouse as well. So I've been experienced moving children throughout the United States, I was unfortunate enough that I did not get to locate overseas with the military. But one thing that I've learned as a parent with children that have been moved, is your children are resilient and adaptable. I will tell you with the families that I've relocated with through O’Grady Peyton, and I keep in touch with my nurses that often they'll tell me the children adapt the quickness and assimilate quickly and meet friends. And if you think about it, it's because they're young and adaptable. They are asking questions. And they will have their natural abilities to adapt.

But there are you know, tips for age specific, for example, like your babies and toddlers keep everything simple. I would say keep to the routine. One thing that I've found and observed that was very important is that the parents bring familiar toys and food. I would say the biggest thing that I see sometimes with the children is the cuisine, they actually find that very challenging sometimes because when you move to a new country, there's new tastes new cuisines, things tastes different. So some of that familiarity helps with preschoolers, they're going to be asking a lot of questions, they're verbal, so keep them informed. And you know, when you get into United States, take them around, show them new places like this is your neighborhood, this is your school, make them feel a part of it. Also, as you're unloading your luggage and your boxes that you may have shift. Remember, they love to play with those things, let them play and help you set up the house school to make them feel part of the process.

And then if they're meeting new friends, you can teach them an acronym that's called C, which is when you meet a new person, smile, make eye contact and be open to meeting the new person. And then what I would say is once you get to the older children, that they're coming from the fact that they've had established friendships back home, I would say anywhere from the preteens to teenagers. This is the most challenging for most parents. You're dealing with, you know, children that are growing hormones, pre adolescence. And change is sometimes hard, especially in friendships. And so, you know, ensure them let them be able to stay and communicate with friends back home. I would say that's very important to give them some stability, but also to help them integrate by being a man for yourself by you getting out and meeting new people, meeting your colleagues, and then helping them find sports and activities and hobbies that they enjoyed back home here in the US.

Okay, great. Those are some really, really good tips for what the nurses can do when they arrived with their kids in the US and how they can make them feel more comfortable and you know, have a little slice of home, so to speak. Do you have any suggestions on resources or research that the nurses can do before they come to the US to better prepare to make that an easier transition? So I'm a big proponent that I've met a lot of nurses that come to United Space with expectations based on what they've heard and what they've seen through media. So one of the guides that I highly encourage my nurses to review is done by the USCIS, which is, it's a basically a document for immigrants to read over. That kind of gives you a good insight to American culture, customs and experience. The three top major areas that I would highly encourage anyone migrating to United States to look into is transportation, and childcare, and our medical health insurance, because I felt those are the three biggest aspects that are concerned and the most challenging foreign nurses coming. So for example, if you're migrating to the United States, and you've picked the state of Texas, what I would recommend is that you definitely look at the city that you're relocating into, find out what their public transportation is, and relative to both your children's school if you're bringing children, as well as your work. You know, a lot of people have an idea of United States that we are like New York City, and it's readily buses and trains. That is definitely not the case in other aspects of areas of the United States where the way the United States is so vast as a country and how smaller cities developed. Public transportation is not as readily I've often had nurses say to me, I don't see anybody walk here, the mode of transportation, the United States, the main mode is individual car. So be sure to look at, once again, your city's public transportation, it's usually available on their website. Also, if you're going to become a US driver, first thing you should be doing is looking at the state of residence. And we either have what's called the DMV Department of Motor Vehicles or Department of Transportation, to find out what the expectations are for you to get a US driver's license, because transportation is key to getting settled when you first moved here. So that's very helpful. In regards to the children. I highly also recommend that with your residents that you've selected, you know, your address, you can go to the school district website of your city to find out which school that your children are assigned to.

So one of the things that I've observed with nurses coming from other countries, is you often don't realize that our school assignment is based on your residence. If you're in public education schools, we have different types of schools, there's public, which anyone can go to. There's private, which you pay for and select, and there's homeschooling. But focusing on public schools, the one thing that I will highlight any information that you can bring from your children's previous school from your country of origin is very important. transcripts, any awards, when you get to the high school level grades 10 11 9 10 11 and 12. What I would highly encourage when I've had guidance counselor's tell me is if your child's school can give you like a document of like what their courses entail. That's very helpful for those high schooler children because they will meet with a counselor and the counselor will review their information to a correctly assign them to the grade that they will be here in the US and make sure that they're in line with the state's high school graduation. The other is vaccinations. Make sure you have vaccinations and please note that what you may have done at the embassy for vaccinations, you might still need your child to do additional vaccinations based on the school district's vaccination policy. And just remember, in the United States, if you need those vaccinations, we have public health departments that often offer those vaccinations for free or for minimum cost based on your situation. I hope that's not too much information.

Right? That was a lot of information but a lot of good information. So thank you for sharing Holly, we're gonna unpack a little bit of what you talked about, especially the school stuff. So I know that's very interesting for a lot of our nurses in a few minutes, but I just wanted to give Jess and Mary Joy and opportunity to share. If either of you did any research before I know Holly gave some very good ideas on what you can do before to prepare. Jess, I see you nodding your head. Did you do any research before you came that you know, you shared with your kids? Yeah, actually, because my kids are like homeschooling in, in Qatar. So the transition here is a little bit different for them.

Because you know, from the cove, when the COVID starts, I decided a start decided to homeschool them until they will be exposed to different new environment, you know, there is now really a physical classroom. But anyway, I'm grateful here, because the school accepted them, like in the bill in the start of April, where the school was, is about to finish by being and I'm glad that they were able to adapt on it. And yeah, she's correct that you really have to search in your city, which is the designated school district for you. And so what's holding Miss Holly has stated that we need to have updated vaccines. So good thing that all my kids are updated on their immunization plans since because we are they're born outside and raised outside the US it is really required. It's so much this PPD the test for tuberculosis. So it is all for there in one of the county here is like in the health center here. And then after that it doesn't negative and the next day Yeah, and you were able to enter the school and I really appreciate it because like it's everything screening and the school bus, it's free.

So with that, I have also researched through the use of the media and social media because in I'm not advocating for the forum but actually this is actually a good platform, a good media for all the nurses who's coming to you as because it is really like based on their experiences. Although of course we all have different experiences in whichever state you are. But at this somehow it will give us an idea of what are we expecting. So it's true that a lot of researchers you're going to use the YouTube the Google and everything and it's really important the personal experiences from the people who are in the place you really have to connect with because it will really help you a lot that's good advice connecting with the people who are in the place that you're going. So you guys are in Texas you're in temple Texas, right Yes.

Yes through how's your experience been there? What what's it like living in temple Texas? Oh, yeah, that one we did we just Google but I do Google Street and Google Map everything like to see what's in Texas because I it's not really it's not it's not really a big city like in Dallas or in Eastern. It's, I can say it is like pretty much a laid back city where it's peaceful, I should say, not really with much of the P parks or any tourist spot, but at this it's really a simple I can say a simple peaceful life here if you want to have like that. And anyway, but most of our needs are so accessible here there are in a Walmart, there's some stores that are available. And the people who are nice, really like you know, they will really say hi and hello to you. And I think this is still safe here. I mean, as compared to I don't know to other series or whatsoever. I haven't really personally encountered a racist or something like a crime already. I haven't seen that so far.

Well, please God, you won't see that at all while you're here. But that sounds lovely, a nice, peaceful city. I know. I'm located in Los Angeles, California, where it's a beautiful city, but it's definitely very busy and very traffic key at times. But you know, pros and cons to all the different cities like we talked about the US is a massive country, and there are a lot of different options and cities and different farms all over the country. Mary Joy do you want to tell us a little bit about what it's like to live in Jacksonville, Florida. Yeah, Jacksonville is a big city. I think this is the most the big city here in the US based on by land. So like, from end to end, you need to travel an hour or an hour and a half depending on the time. There's a lot of Filipinos also here in Jacksonville and we have Jollibee. So that's actually that's also the reason why I choose that little taster home. Yeah, so you know, something of a little taste of the Philippines, way away from home. So you're not feeling homesick. But LSR, Jacksonville, their favorite thing to do in Jacksonville? What's your favorite thing to do with your child?

Ah, sometimes we go to the beach, like it's 30 minutes away for a drive from our home. And we're like we're living in a what else? It's just like sometimes, you know, it's really hard to drive. When it's raining. Like I'm sorry, because I'm in a car right now. It is raining. I can share Yeah. Right. But and the weather also, it's so unpredictable here. Because when it rains, it really pours and so strong. So but when it when the sun is out, it's really hot. So like that, like the other day we experienced directly. 90 degrees. So it's really hot and the humidity, though it's hot in the Philippines. The difference is the humidity. Ah, okay. So, a little bit like the Philippines with the hot weather. And yes, yeah. And you have a nice Filipino community there, right? Yeah, there's a lot of Filipino here. So and also a lot of Asian stores that. So craving is just a way that you can have. So it's a nice community here. You know, we can't, we can't deny that there's a place that not so good.

But just that I mean, that's normal. It's just how you need to be, you know, how safe you are, I mean, go to the safe place. Okay, so you'll not be bothered or it's be a smart wise in choosing the place that you want to live is everywhere. There's always a negative thing. It's just how you handle it to how you choose it. So yeah, no, I so I'm from South Africa, as I mentioned before, and it can be very dangerous there. And I know when we moved to San Diego, in California, we were very excited about not having any dangers and not have to deal with anything. And we moved to this new country and they're still, you know, crime everywhere. It's just like, it's how you handle it. And you just have to be safe and aware of your surroundings. I see you shaking your head in agreement. Holly, have you? Do you have any thoughts on that anything to share on just preparing for anything, you know, that might be surprising for families?

So I think it's all about perspective, right? You know, our I think it's all perspective. You know, our society. Right now globally is very media and social media focused. And as we know, a lot of negativity is always gets the first and foremost attention. So you know, I've traveled overseas, I've been into countries and just like my nurses coming here, they're like, I'm scared of the US. I'm like, Well, I was scared and other countries that I visited too. So you know, it is that general knowledge that good and bad things happen.

And then you have to be aware of your situations, not make yourself a victim and, you know, practice good practices that you know, you can't live in fear, I guess is what I'm trying to say. So educate yourself, make sure you're aware of your resources. Like for example, when my nurses arrived here in the US the first thing I taught them, and one thing that you might not know that I'll share here is like if you have an emergency in the United States, we have a number it's 911. You would call that number if you needed the police the fire or the EMS. So taking those steps to make yourself feel secure. We'll help you fight maybe some of that anxiety that you may initially have when you're here. And you're not sure. And as these other ladies mentioned, lean into your new friends and your peers that are here, ask them, hey, you know, is this good? A good part of town? Do I need to be aware of things? Make yourself cognizant of that type of scenarios to help you feel more comfortable?

Very, very good advice from Holly. So switching gears a little bit, just I wanted to know from you, what was the most surprising thing about moving here? What's been the hardest part? What's been the easiest part? Any insight you can share with our nurses? Oh, actually, I would start first with the hardest part is maybe, actually the hardest is like, physical for me, because the majority, you know, the travel, it's more than 24 hours. Because I'm pregnant. So that is the thing, that's the hardest that I dealt with my whole family to deal with, because so we have the travel that much long. And but actually the easiest is everything like it with our agency where we are thankful everything is like being given to us, because there are options where we are really being taught about this is the person that you have to do first, to get the mobiles I needed to get to the house, it's open the back. So I would say it is not very smooth. But at this somehow it is not that very hard for everyone to come here, because our OB is helping us along the way. And yeah, we got our house so that everything we need. And so for the because the house, the house, where maybe is also near to, you know, the basic commodities, and especially the Walmart, and everything. So it's, it's so good.

So I can't I cannot say that it's really a hard thing for us or something. But I should say that it's challenging. And that, at least the agency that I how we live this connect, it's I'm looking for people to really help us enough to provide what we need in which any immigrant could really be asking for. And so that yummy. Our family were able to adapt. And my kids here are didn't I didn't say that. I cannot see. I didn't see oh, that they felt a hardship or anything. But we're too, buddy. Okay, when we moved here.

Okay, well, thank you for sharing that dress sounds like for you, being set up when you came here made it a lot easier, you know, not just arriving, stepping off the plane and feeling like, where do I go now. So you have a Connetics onboarding specialist who has helped you set you up with housing and transportation and schooling. And I think maybe the big takeaway is just when you arrive, if you're able to having some setup already done can really go a long way to make that transition a little bit easier. And here are Connetics. We have an onboarding person, like you mentioned, who will help you throughout that whole transition. So that makes a very, very big difference. I know when I moved to the US with my family, my dad actually came a couple of weeks before me and my mom and my sister, and he rented the apartment, and he was able to set us up, got us registered at school. And I know that made it a lot easier when we arrived a couple of weeks later. Yep, there's me and my family. This is in Universal Studios in Los Angeles. So that's me Danielle and my mom, Tanya Freedman, who I think a lot of people watching this show now. And so that's about two hours away from where we lived in San Diego, and that was one of our first family outings. You know, I think as a an eight year old kid who watched a lot of American movies, I was very excited to go to Universal Studios. You know, something we talked about now is doing research ahead of time. And luckily, we live in a day and age where the internet is available. You know, when I moved 23 years ago, there wasn't really the internet. What I knew is what I knew for movies.

You know, I couldn't look up and Google San Diego, California, what does it look like? So I actually had put together some tips just based on my own experience that can help a friend Emily when they move so if we can pull up that graphic, the tips on moving to the US, and I had just a couple of ideas to share. I know it's something that Holly touched upon Jess and Mary Joy. Everybody shared their experiences, but some tips as a kid who moved to the US with my parents. Number one before your journey, show your children pictures of where they will be moving. The city, the house landmarks, Google Streetview is great for this. So you know, now you can google San Diego, California. What does it look like? Temple, Texas? What does it look like? Where am I going to be staying?

And I think showing your kids exactly where they're going to be going. kind of alleviate a little bit of anxiety. My second tip was during your travel take a favorite toy or possession while making the trip over to give your children comfort. So Holly also had the same tip. I remember when I moved with my family, I was eight and my sister was four. And I think she carried about 17 stuffed bears on our long ride from Santa from South Africa over to San Diego. And that made her feel comforted and a little bit more at home. So that was a very nice memory. For me, I remember lugging 17 little teddy bears through the airport. The third tip was utilized language apps on your smartphone to assist with translating and learning a new language. So when I moved to San Diego, San Diego is very close to the border next to Mexico.

And my best friend, she was a Spanish speaker from Mexico, how we became best friends when I spoke English and she spoke Spanish, that's a different story. But we often talk about how it would have been so much easier for her if she moves now where she could have used Duolingo before coming to the US to learn some English words and just better prepare. So that was another tip. And then the last tip upon arrival. So Holly also spoke about this find local food shops and restaurants to give your children a taste of home.

So I know Mary Joy went to Jollibee. When I moved, my parents took us to a South African chocolate store and they bought us each a bunch of South African chocolates. And that made us have a little taste of home. So those were just a couple of tips based on my experience. So let's switch gears and talk a little bit about schooling. I know you kind of gave a little bit of an overview, Holly, but can you just give a little bit of an overview again? What are nurses options? And how do they go about registering their kids for school once they're in the US? Yes. So going back to what's offered in the US, as I kind of briefly mentioned earlier, in the United States, it's your choice as a parent to how your children are taught. So there are public schools, which that is, as one of the ladies mentioned is free to you, although you do pay it in taxes. But in that essence, put your kids in school. The custom here in the United States is that five to 13 are compulsory in school we do actually have regulations, and some policies outlined of what children's school aged children need to go to school. The one thing I will point out about kindergartener aged children that is often a surprise to nurses when they relocate to the United States.

The age in most states is five years old. But what you may not realize and what you'll need to find out from your direct school is if they have a birthdate cut off. So for example, I'm in the state of North Carolina, if a nurse would relocate to North Carolina with a five year old, that five year old would have to be five before August 1 In order to enroll in kindergarten. Now, if the child was not five, what would happen is that child would be in preschool for one more year before allowing to be in kindergarten. So that's something to point out. We also have private schools. Private schools are not tax base.

They're a private organization, they can be faith based or not. In that essence, you would be responsible for typically an interview and application and tuition fees, they tend to be more expensive than your public school option. And then third in the United States homeschooling is here. Each state has homeschooling guidelines that you would need to look in to and follow the policy so your children who go through the system in order to graduate from either the elementary high school and to go into the university system. Going back to school enrollment, I just can't point out enough is that preparation is key. As one of the ladies mentioned, do you have a smooth enrollment process? Typically, most districts, the bigger districts in united states are doing on right online enrollment. Some are still you have to go to the school and enroll.

So the key to this, as we've all mentioned here is Thank goodness for the internet. You can search your school district, you can find your school. And usually they will tell you from there if you'll go online, or if you need to call the school. But the important documents will be your children's passport, the birth certificate, the vaccination record, once again, the transcripts. And then some school districts just to make every nurse are so aware of this as well, is that, for example, in the state of North Carolina, it does not matter if a child is coming from another state in the United States or out of a country, the state of North Carolina requires a health assessment. So do be prepared for that make sure that you understand that if your school district has to have a health assessment done prior to enrollment, and they typically have the form available, and you can either go to a clinic or health department to obtain a doctor signature and have the form completed for enrollment. And once again, you know, to ease the children in to ease you in, reach out to your local school, meet your principal, meet the guidance counselor's meet the teachers, you know, be open and engaging because that will help your children smoothly transition to their school enrollment.

That was some great information. Holly, thank you for sharing and for any of our nurses who are watching and might be feeling like okay, this is great stuff. But how am I going to remember this? Don't worry, you are going to have somebody on the Connetics nursing recruitment agency, amen international team who's going to help you through that transition through that journey. And we'll help you figure out all of the schooling options and what's going to be the right choice for you. Just do you want to tell us a little bit about what it was like on your kids first day of school? I know it sounds like they only went for about a month or two before the school year was over. But what was that first day like?

And it's because like they are accepted. Like they are currently in grade four, and grade three, so they didn't finish basically didn't finish the from, from what they have been in Qatar. So I'm glad that they're accepted to what greater AMA, and then actually, they're very happy, they are very excited because he told me that I made new friends. And this one is really a physical one, because I shouldn't make the unsettling mom we really wanted to have a classroom like there's a real teacher and then that they could really interact like we're not like in the zoom or easily any on like this because they tend to lose their attention span, they tend to do something else.

But at least of course, you know, they really socials and humans are the socials, they really want to talk and to have you know, play in and they're very happy. Everything is new, like my children attorney, mom is our first son to play a soccer because he don't know how to play the Skype, you know, the football. And then they are there they have their specifically Chromebook or with their own computer that they can use with and then pretty much they're really not really overwhelmed, but at least they are happy that they're learning in a different way. I love that and I think we actually have some pictures that you sent in of your kids. I would love to see a couple of those pulled up but there we go. Look how beautiful you and your family is this one? Yeah, the one that will be the Jollibee that's who we traveled to playing Oh, in search for geography.

Yeah, because you know where you live? Yeah. And that one down the jog BAP who traveled to Austin it is just like is that really a plan basically there and right to that one in the bridge that is in Houston in Memorial Park. So you see and that up to that purchase here temple so you see like we traveled different places. Oh, yeah. Burn yeah, here in the nearest town here in temple that is in Georgetown that is in the inside the cave. So all of us actually it is really my first time to get into that.

And we really enjoy it's really literally cold down there. And we enjoy the space cover. And at least you know what I wanted to bring to my kids that we get to enjoy the places I other natural resources that you know, and at this, this is our bonding moment, because you know, this age up to when they get older, you are really trying to this, this is the formative years for the kids, you're really trying to bond to them more, and that they're gonna bring that culture as they grew up. Because yeah, basically here in the United States, like, some are really scared, because maybe though like a culturalization, or they might adopt a different culture, from what we have.

And that's something that you that parents are really afraid of. But if you're gonna really involve your kids in everything, like even though just shopping to the Walmart, doing grocery errands, and planning out for a picnic, just in your community park is really good, it's really helpful because of this, you know, the band for the family you're preserving, because as you're starting a new life here, that is really important, you know, to get your kids into that situation. And at least important thing is that, you know, the bonds are strong band for a family that will really space their Well, I think their smiling faces and all of those pictures really say at all it looks like they were having a lot of fun traveling around Texas and exploring their new states. So it looks like that bond was very strong. And that's very, very cool to see all of those different travels and a trip to jolly B to get a little taste of home. I love that. I also saw your cute little bumps. So I'm sure that those are some fairly recent pictures.

Oh, there we go. Look at Jess. Look at those beautiful pictures. Oh my gosh. So can you tell us a little bit about what your prenatal care has been like in the US? Yeah, here, because Baylor Scott and White already has a good plan like with the day one of your hiring is also the day where your insurance will kick in. So like you just have to schedule to code available OB sir there, and then even have the schedule. And it's because I already have my previous reports, my ultrasound and blood tests ready. And then they just have to look into it. And yeah, it's just like now I'm being scheduled like almost every week for the OB check up. And I believe it's like smooth for me. I didn't have that much problem getting the for the for the checkup and insurance and then like, I just really waiting for this big club to come out.

Amazing. Well, I'm glad it's been really smooth for you and really easy. Oh, it looks like maybe we lost Mary Joy. I think we actually had some pictures I wanted to share of her and her family. We'll see if she rejoins. But thank you for sharing that dress. I'm so glad it's been an easy ride so far and crossing fingers for you that it's an easy delivery. Although you've already had to So you've already been there and done that you already know what the what the drill is. Like, it is like actually this started because imagine it's a long gap. A huge challenge a year. That's true. Again, that's true. But you know, I think it's like riding a bike your body probably remembers. Um, okay, well, I know we're almost out of time. Um, I just wanted to see, Holly, if you had any final advice. I know we talked about a lot of great tips. If you had any final just one more piece of advice for our nurses and the same question to you dress after Holly goes. And it's okay, if you don't have no advice.

Yeah, I would say the big advice that I always share with my nurses when they first get here, because I think that is the most challenging aspect of the journey that you have embarked on to be pieces. One, always reflect on your reasoning of why you decided to pursue this journey and hold fast to that. And second of all, acknowledge that this is a major life event, and that you've decided to embark and learn new things. And just remember, back when you were a child, sometimes learning was fun, and sometimes it was challenging, but remember, it never stays in one or the other. It continually flows and fluctuates. So keep that in mind and always ask questions and you will have a successful journey and I wish you the very best.

Thank you Holly that was very beautifully said. Love that dress any final tidbit of advice for our nurses who are going to be coming? Yes, I couldn't agree more. But Miss Holly says, but for me, my takeaway is like I know, you know, bring your children really your whole family to us, is really scary because I know lots of people like they want it to be settled first alone, like the, like the applicant first and the family will follow. But come to think of it, you know, having an LDR or a long distance relationship is it's really like a Corona coaster and is more than what you're expecting, like it is like a walrus or something. But what why do we want to set in the US is because it to have a brighter future for our family. So minus one, you really have to involve your children, your whole family at the very beginning.

And then you know, it is anyway, they will not be as they will not be still, they're gonna stay forever, like one or two years old, they will grow up. And if the childcare is really an issue, or something like with who will take care of the baby, I believe that you're going to learn the process. And then you just really have to do more of googling or of researching what are the resources that are available in your community, and you really have to face a chance because, you know, the reason why we want to sell in the US is because of our family. So that's the most important thing really have to bring them close to us. And, you know, do everything that we want to preserve the culture, your your close family ties, then do everything that you can do for to try to maintain. And yeah, that's always, it's really a big of a leap of faith coming to us is more than a big decision, some people fake. But anyway, it is for your family, it is for own good. So just make sure that you are put there for free. And making the decision as a whole, it's really helped us. So you know, to get along with different types of situations that we might met here.

Very, very beautifully said, I agree it is a leap of faith. But you know, I think as someone who's now on the other side, I moved here when I was eight, I went to school here, I ended up going to law school at UCLA and becoming a lawyer, I ended up joining my mom and Connetics. You know, I think my parents were probably watching. So hi, mom and dad. Um, I am extremely thankful to them for the sacrifices that they made, so that I could grow up here and have more opportunity than I would have had in my home country. And now here I am, I had my daughter who is the first US citizen in our family. Yep, there she is my little Emma pie. So it really has come full circle for me and my family. And, you know, I remember moving when I was eight, just like your kids. Just and it's definitely it's a challenge, I'm not gonna lie, it's a challenge.

But like you said, if the family bands together, leans on your community, and really just has faith that it will all be okay. It really will all be okay. It really does work out in the end, it really does work out for the better. And I think we've given some really amazing tips for any new families that are coming to the US for this scary but very exciting journey. So thank you, Holly, Jess, Mary, joy for being a part of the show today. It was a very special show for me to host and I had such fun getting to know all of you and hearing all of your tips. So thank you so much for your time, and for sharing your insights with all of our nurses all over the US. I know we didn't get to get to the questions. But I saw that a lot of people were watching and I'm sure really benefited from hearing about your story. So thank you all very much for joining me on this Friday morning. And now we're going to close up the show. And we're going to talk a little bit about some Connetics initiatives and some there we go the Connetics initiatives.

So for any of our nurses who have been watching and you're thinking, I don't know, you know, if this might be the right time, I'm here to tell you this is the right time. There is no time like the present with Connetics. These are some of our initiatives that we have going on. So we have a free English scholarship for any of our RNs who joined Connetics. So if you haven't taken your English exam yet, you can get free English scholarship. We offer $1,000 referral fee so refer any of your friends NCLEX you can do that at our website.

We also have a podcast nursing in America, check out all of our episodes on there. We are direct hire, we're actually voted the number one direct hire company by the nurses themselves on the international nurse forums. We have our weekly onwards and upwards live show. So I was excited to host today and hopefully you will see me again in the future for more shows. We also have our Connetics College, which is more live shows about education, and we're also hiring for allied so if you are a medical lab technologist or medical lab technician, please apply on our website ConneticsUSA.com/apply and we would be happy to help you. We also have a few onwards and upwards shows coming up. Next week we have stateside Southern Living so if you're considering living in the South, like Mary Joy in Jadloc, Florida, please join us to learn all about Southern Living July 7, we have an immigration Q&A We'll have our legal experts on I know everybody's gonna want to know what's their retrogression update, so please feel free to join into that. July 14, we have a special show direct hire versus staffing. We're going to talk all about the pros and cons of going direct hire or going staffing with O'Grady Peyton, who is our sister staffing company at AMN.

On July 21, we're doing a client showcase for the state of Arizona, July 28, an equality diversity and inclusion show. And then on July 11, our love for a talk show which is once a month, the topic is going to be working alongside preceptors. And then we also have our Connetics College. So these are education shows hosted at 6am pacific time every Monday with our partners Aspire, Swoosh, IPass, and Niners. So feel free to check those out Monday at 6am Pacific. So thank you to Holly and Jess for joining me today. And thank you to all of our nurses worldwide for watching us. I hope you found this to be an informative and helpful show. And as my mom always says, Onwards and Upwards, so Onwards and Upwards to everybody and just a brighter future and a happy day to everybody watching. Thank you everybody for joining. Bye bye bye. Thank you