I may not remember the exact moment I arrived in the United States, but immigration has shaped every part of who I am – more than I probably realized growing up. I was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. when I was just two years old, after my parents made the life-changing decision to start over in a new country.
My name is Joely Carrillo, and this is my story.
Growing up, I watched my parents navigate systems they didn’t fully understand, adapt to a culture that was completely new, and build a life from the ground up. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp what that required of them, the uncertainty, the risk, the resilience. I just saw what they were working toward: opportunity, stability, and a future that felt bigger than what they left behind.
It wasn’t until much later, after becoming a nurse and spending nearly a decade at the bedside, that I began to understand just how much that experience shaped the way I see people today. Because now, when I meet international healthcare professionals, I don’t just see clinicians, but I see stories that feel familiar in ways that are hard to explain unless you’ve lived close to them.
Whether you’re a nurse, medical technologist, physical therapist, or CNA, the decision to pursue a career in the United States isn’t just about professional growth. It’s about stepping into the unknown. It’s about leaving behind family, familiarity, and comfort in exchange for possibility. And if we’re being honest, it also comes with questions that don’t always have easy answers.
Is this worth it?
Will I succeed?
What will I have to give up to get there?
Those aren’t small questions, and they deserve more than surface-level answers.
That’s why this work is personal to me.
In what I do, I don’t just see experience on paper; I see people carrying years of skill, sacrifice, and determination into something new. I see the same resilience I saw growing up, and I have a deep respect for what it takes to make a decision like this, because I understand that it’s never just about the job – it’s about the life you’re building around it.
At the same time, I bring my own perspective into this space, not just as someone connected to an immigration story, but as a nurse who has spent years in the realities of patient care. I know what it feels like to walk into a shift that pushes you to your limits. I understand the responsibility, the pressure, and the pride that comes with this profession. So, when we talk about building a career here, we’re not just talking about opportunity; we’re talking about what it really looks like to practice, grow, and find your footing in a completely new environment.
This isn’t going to be a highlight reel, and it’s not going to be a list of generic tips you’ve already heard before. My goal is to create a space where we can talk honestly about what this journey looks like from both a professional and personal perspective.
We’ll talk about the opportunities, but also the challenges. The wins, but also the moments that test your confidence. We’ll get into the realities of transitioning into a new healthcare system, adjusting to cultural differences in patient care, and building a sense of community in a place that may not feel like home right away. And just as importantly, we’ll talk about the emotional side of it all because that part often gets overlooked, even though it matters just as much.
Your experiences, questions, and concerns matter. In fact, they should shape what we talk about here. So, whether you’re just starting to explore the idea of working in the U.S. or you’re already in the process, I want to hear from you. What do you want to know more about? What feels unclear? What would make this journey feel more manageable or more real?
Because the truth is, there’s no single version of this story. Everyone’s path looks a little different, but that doesn’t mean you have to figure it out on your own.
Today, I work closely with international healthcare professionals at MedPro International as a Senior Manager, supporting our international testing and education teams. I lead teams within MedProU that help guide healthcare professionals through some of the most important steps in their journey, like passing their licensure and English proficiency exams.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my family’s journey and from my own time in nursing, it’s that growth doesn’t come from leaving everything behind. It comes from building on what you’ve already worked so hard for, and having the courage to take it further.
So wherever you are in your journey, I’m glad you’re here. And I’m looking forward to walking through this with you.
