Mother returns to rural nursing career thanks to international bursary initiative

Angelica Romero’s dream to become a registered nurse (RN) is coming true—again.

This month, Romero will begin her role as an RN at Stettler Hospital and Care Centre following participation in the Bursary for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) Prorgam, an initiative funded by the Government of Alberta, Ministry of Advanced Education and administered by RhPAP since 2023.

BIEN was designed to support internationally educated nurses in bridging their current education to Canadian standards with bursary assistance of up to $30,000.

In return, BIEN participants agree to work in rural Alberta for a period of time following their graduation. In the past six months, nine BIEN recipients started working rural.  

Romero immigrated to Canada 10 years ago after training as an RN in the Philippines. When she arrived in Canada, her RN credentials were not recognized, so she began working as a healthcare aid in homecare and long-term care. Later, she pursued post-secondary education to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

“We don’t have the same curriculum back in the Philippines,” says Romero, explaining the bursary helped cover some of her expenses while attending school.

Last fall, she completed her LPN training and summer preceptorship in Stettler, two hours southeast of Edmonton. Romero now works there as an LPN in acute care.

Romero says her return to nursing took time, but she persevered. She now encourages others to follow her lead.

“Nursing is challenging, but it is very fulfilling,” says the mother-of-two boys. “My advice is just to stay focused and motivated.

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“Working in a rural area is very rewarding. There are a lot of opportunities to learn in a rural area, you get to do a little bit of everything. You are trained for that, and you are not just staying in one corner, one unit.”

Opportunities for career growth are also available. Her role in Stettler will see her return to labour and delivery (her specialty back home in the rural Philippines) and eventually the emergency department.

“Nursing involves long hours of work, shift work, and physical demands,” she says. “But basically, it offers job security, career growth, and a big opportunity to help others.”

Romero credits her late father, Angelito Romero, who worked in Guam and later became a farmer in the Philippines, in guiding her towards a nursing career.

“The way he cared for family and friends, he showed me the impact that kindness and expertise can have on someone’s life,” says Romero. “His passion for making a difference motivated me to pursue nursing so I could do the same for others.”

To learn more about the BIEN program, visit RhPAP.ca/BIEN.