Some dreams take years to become a reality.

The Journey of an American nurse

Mine, as an American nurse, took years of studying, working, waiting, praying, and trusting God. There were moments when the journey felt uncertain. Additionally, I wondered if my dream would ever happen, and seasons when the waiting seemed endless.

But today, as I stand here in the United States, I can look back and say with all my heart:

God’s timing was perfect. Every delay was worth it. Every obstacle had a purpose. And every season of waiting was preparing me for this moment.

My journey began long before America was ever within reach.

I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing in March 2007 and later passed the Nursing Licensure Examination.  In 2016, I pursued my Master of Nursing, continuing to grow in my profession and trusting God with whatever He had planned for my future.

In September 2016, I moved to Japan, where I lived and worked.

Japan became an important part of my life and my professional journey.

It was there that I continued working and growing.

I carried with me the dream of one day becoming an American nurse in the United States.

Years later, that dream began to take shape.

In 2023, while living and working in Japan, I took the NCLEX.

Additionally, I passed the NCLEX.

Moreover, as an American nurse, passing that exam was a milestone in my journey.

It was a moment of joy, but I knew that the road ahead was still long.

My auntie and cousin referred me to INCare Global, and I decided to take the opportunity and apply. I was blessed to have people who were responsive and supportive throughout the process, especially Ma’am Iris, Ma’am Fatima, Atty. Jean and Atty. Belle.

The following months brought many important steps forward. I received my job offer, completed my VisaScreen and IELTS requirements, began my immigrant petition, and eventually became Documentarily Qualified in November 2023.

It felt like everything was finally moving.

But then came the hardest part.

Waiting.

When Waiting Became Preparation

Because of visa retrogression, I had to wait for my priority date to become current.

I had already done everything I could. The exams were passed. The requirements were completed. The job offer was secured. The documents were submitted.

But I could not control the timing.

So I waited.

And while I waited, I chose not to let the waiting season go to waste.

I went back to school through distance learning and pursued my Master of Arts in Nursing.

Those years of waiting became years of preparation. Instead of allowing the delay to discourage me, I used the time to continue learning, growing, and becoming a better nurse.

Then, in February 2026, something happened that made me realize just how perfectly God had orchestrated my journey.

I graduated with my Master of Arts in Nursing, and in that same month, my priority date finally became current.

After all those years of waiting, the door finally opened.

And suddenly, I understood.

The waiting was not wasted.

God was preparing me.

What I saw as a delay, God was using as preparation for the next chapter of my life.

The Road to America

When my priority date became current, I knew that the dream I had carried for so many years was finally becoming a reality.

But even then, the journey was not without obstacles.

My journey to America began from Japan, the country where I had lived and worked since 2016. I was excited, nervous, grateful, and filled with anticipation. After years of dreaming and waiting, I was finally on my way.

But my flight was rebooked.

I eventually traveled to Toronto, where I completed my U.S. immigration interview.

Then I missed my flight.

I was rebooked again and ended up waiting for approximately 15 hours at the Toronto airport.

What happened next became another unexpected test of faith.

Because of the circumstances, I had to go through Canadian immigration. I was worried and uncertain. I wondered if I would be allowed to continue my journey or if I might be sent back to Japan or even to the Philippines because of questions concerning my travel documents and transit requirements.

I spoke with the immigration officer and explained my situation. It was a long and stressful process, but I remained calm and answered honestly and clearly.

Eventually, the officer understood my circumstances and allowed me to remain in Toronto while I waited for my rebooked flight.

Once again, I saw God’s hand.

Another obstacle had appeared, but once again, God made a way.

And finally, after all the waiting, the delays, the rebooked flights, the uncertainty, the immigration questions, and countless prayers, I arrived in the United States.

The Dream I Had Waited For

When I finally stepped onto American soil, I thought about the long road that brought me there. I thought about passing the NCLEX there in 2023, the years of immigration processing and waiting, and pursuing my Master of Arts in Nursing while my priority date remained pending.

Then, in February 2026, I graduated with my MAN and my priority date became current.

From Japan to Toronto, through rebooked flights, a 15-hour airport wait, and unexpected immigration challenges, I knew that every step had led me to this moment.

And finally, I thought:

I made it.

Not because everything went according to my plan, but because God continued to guide me even when my plans changed.

Not because there were no obstacles, but because God gave me strength to overcome them.

Not because I never became afraid, but because God reminded me that I was never alone.

God’s Perfect Timing

This journey taught me that sometimes, God’s answer does not come when we want it to.

Sometimes, He asks us to wait.

Sometimes, He takes us on a longer road.

Sometimes, He allows circumstances we do not understand.

But while we are waiting, He is working.

My years of waiting were not wasted years.

They were years of growth.

Years of preparation.

Years of learning.

Years of becoming.

And when the right time finally came, I realized that God had been preparing me all along.

Today, I am here in the United States, fulfilling a dream that once seemed so far away.

As an American nurse, I am deeply grateful to my family, my husband and kids.

Additionally, I am grateful to Ma’am Iris, Ma’am Fatima, Atty. Jean and Atty. Belle for their responsiveness.

They supported me throughout my journey, and I appreciate everyone who prayed for me and believed in me.

But above all, I give all the glory to God.

He was with me when I graduated in 2007.

He was with me when I continued my education.

He was with me when I moved to Japan.

He was with me when I took and passed the NCLEX.

He was with me during the immigration process.

He was with me throughout the years of waiting.

He was with me when I pursued my Master of Arts in Nursing.

He was with me when my priority date became current.

He was with me in Toronto when I did not know what would happen next.

And He was with me when I finally stepped onto American soil.

Looking back, I no longer see the years of waiting as a delay.

I see them as part of God’s perfect plan.

The obstacles did not stop me.

The delays did not destroy my dream.

The waiting did not mean God had forgotten me.

The waiting was preparation.

And now, I begin this new chapter with a grateful heart, carrying not only my education, experience, and dreams, but also the testimony of everything God has brought me through.

My journey to America was not easy.

But it was worth every step.

So if there is one thing my journey has taught me, it is this:

Keep praying.

Keep preparing.

Keep believing.

Keep going.

Because sometimes, the longest wait leads to the most beautiful answer.

After all these years, I can finally say:

It was never late.

It was always God’s perfect timing.

I am finally here.

I am finally living the dream.

And I know that the same God who brought me this far will continue to guide me in every chapter that comes next.To God be all the glory. 🙏🇺🇸🩺