Dominic Jardeleza
registered nurse
Back in high school, my grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer. We were living in his house in the Philippines, and I was the one taking care of him. He was a really loving father and grandfather, and seeing him suffer and not having the medical background to fully help, it was hard.
I didn’t want to become a nurse at first. I wanted to become a microbiologist. But after that experience, I thought, maybe nursing is the best path for my life. Not only would I be able to help my family members, but I’d be able to make a difference in other people’s lives.
After graduating college, most of my friends wanted to go to the United States. But for me, it was my dream to be in Canada.
When I was in elementary school, I watched the show Just for Laughs Gags. At the end of the show, it says, “Filmed in Quebec City.” I researched the city and thought, “Wow, this place is amazing.” And that’s how I decided on Canada.
But I didn’t know how difficult the process would be.
I worked as an emergency registered nurse (RN) in the Philippines for a long time. I applied for international nursing jobs, but I didn’t have any luck.
One day, I saw a banner that said Montreal, Quebec was looking to accept immigrants. So, with a photo of Quebec City as my laptop background, I applied through an agency and came as a landed immigrant in 2017.
But the agency made it clear that I wouldn’t be able to work as a nurse at first. I’d have to start out by doing basic jobs, then eventually I’d be able to get back into my field.
When I got here, I applied to the National Nursing Assessment Service, which determines how transferrable your credentials are as an international nurse. I got my results after six months, and it said that I was equivalent to a registered practical nurse (RPN). So, I moved to Ontario—because I wanted to be in a predominantly English province—and I did the RPN exam here in 2018, which I passed.
But the process didn’t stop there.
There were other credentials and tests I had to do as I waited for my RPN certification, and I also began taking the steps needed toward becoming an RN.
All the while, I made a living by cleaning houses, cleaning synagogues, packing bags. I was a personal support worker (PSW) and worked full-time as a factory worker.
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has very strict guidelines and it’s a very tedious process. Many of my friends in the same situation gave up, and there were times when I wanted to give up. I was so depressed. But I never lost my passion as a nurse and I never stopped dreaming.
When I was a factory worker, I worked for a company that sold doors. As I worked on the doors, I would imagine that instead, I was taking care of my patients. And every day I would say, “This is just temporary. I will work as an RN again.”
In April of 2019, while I was with a client working as a PSW, I got an email from the CNO saying that I can finally work as an RPN! I was so happy.
My first job, I worked as an Emerg RPN in Scarborough. Then I started at St. Joe’s in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
From the time that I started my orientation at St. Joe’s, I felt at home. It’s a friendly environment that really makes new nurses feel welcome. I’ve had offers for other places. I even took the RN exam in New York and considered moving there to become an RN. But in my heart, I just could not leave St. Joe’s.
In 2022, my clinical educator asked me if I heard about the Supervised Practice Experience Partnership (SPEP), a new program that addresses shortages by helping internationally educated nurses become nurses here. I enrolled, and after three months, I could officially practice as an RN!
Today, I have the opportunity to train nurses. I get to impart not only the skills, but also the attitude. I get to help them embrace their calling as nurses, and teach them that you’re working for a cause, not an applause.
Speaking of applause, I have a funny story from when I first came to Quebec.
I was in a garden in Frontenac. The garden was just so beautiful there, and I was just doing my thing. I didn’t even pick a flower, when a police officer—whose face looked familiar—came up to me and told me I was doing something illegal. I almost cried because I was so worried. When he saw that I was almost in tears, he said, “Calm down. It’s Just for Laughs!” Everyone around me started laughing and clapping.
I couldn’t believe it. I think it’s the law of attraction.
When I think about that, and when look back at all the frustrations and depression and hardships, I’m just so grateful. I’m living in a dream. I’m really proud to say I’m a Canadian nurse.
Dominic is a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
As told to Kaitlin Jingco. Photos by Eduardo Lima. This interview has been edited and condensed.