Coming to America
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital ’ s Filipino nurses are making a new home in the United States
By Steve Cornelius
Nurses are the lifeline of any medical facility , which is definitely the case for the local Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital ( LCRH ). Like many other professions , nurses are in high demand . Lifepoint , the parent company of LCRH , has looked to the international market to fill their demanding nursing positions .
Lifepoint partnered with international nurse recruitment agencies to assist in filling critical staffing needs . The recruitment team provides international management of talented nurses from various culturally rich areas . Bringing in qualified international nurses helps to reduce vacancy rates , overtime , staff turnover and attrition .
The international nurse recruiter works as a liaison between the applicant and the hiring facility to schedule video interviews and provide necessary onboarding documentation .
Three such nurses made their way to the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital by way of the Philippines . Janna Ericka Reyes ( BSN , RN ), Madel Alegre ( BSN , RN ), and Apple Borja ( BSN , RN ), all moved their families from their homeland in the Philippines to the local hospital facility .
Janna Reyes , who has been employed at LCRH since December of 2022 , made the move to the United States for the future well-being of her growing family . Reyes has two small girls and is expecting a little boy in the near future .
“ To be honest , I came to America for the future of my kids ,” Reyes admitted . “ Living in the United States gives my family a better future . Not only for them , but working here [ at LCRH ] is good for my career .”
Leaving their home country was a tough adjustment , socially and professionally , for all three of the nurses . However , LCRH and Lifepoint have an outstanding program to help international nurses adjust to their new and unfamiliar environment .
Upon hire , nurses are assigned to a nursing preceptor that will orient them to the facility and the assigned unit . During orientation , the nurses will learn
June 2023 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 23