Jean’s Story: International Nurse Puts Down Roots in Her U.S. Community

International nurse, Jean Sotto, chose nurse recruitment agency Conexus to help her and her family move to the USA. Now settled into her life as a nurse in the U.S. with her husband and two children, Jean’s impact goes beyond the incredible work she does at her hospital in West Virginia; she is a keen gardener intent on doing good for the planet by growing organic vegetables and flowers.

Originally from the Philippines, Jean now works in a Medical Intensive Care unit at a hospital in West Virginia, USA. She passed her NCLEX in 2006, but at the time decided not to pursue an American nursing job due to retrogression. “My colleague said that the door was closed at that time, so I tried my luck and applied to other countries while I waited for my opportunity to move to the United States,” said Jean.

She ended up moving to Singapore. “I enjoyed being a nurse in Singapore. In the middle of waiting, I decided to forget about my American dream… but then in 2020, I restarted the process.”

Jean chose Conexus to help her realize her goal of living in the United States. She moved to the USA with her two kids, ahead of her husband. Amongst other things, they were excited for the change in climate – and it was their first time experiencing temperatures below zero degrees. “We knew we were moving to a mountainous area but we were amazed when we arrived, and we didn’t expect that there wouldn’t be any leaves on the tress in winter!”

As the years have passed, Jean has become a lot more familiar with the changing seasons. A keen gardener, she grows organic vegetables and flowering plants at home using organic fertilizer. “It’s safe, free of harsh chemicals, and an organic source of food to eat that’s excellent for our health. This is sustainable living; anytime we want we have an organic supply of veggies. It’s also a stress reliever and good for mental health.”

More than that though, Jean’s efforts have a positive impact on her local community. Growing her own vegetables and flowering plants helps bees and other pollinators to thrive. “They come into my garden, promoting healthy vegetable yields and more production without using any harsh chemicals that can actually cause the extinction of our pollinators.” Jean explained that commercial farmers tend to use pesticides and chemicals that help with crop production, but which have a negative impact on the environment. “These harsh chemicals produce tons of carbon too, which adds to the carbon footprint.”

She would like others to follow in her footsteps – both in terms of becoming an international nurse in the U.S., and in growing food at home. “Sharing my organic harvest with my neighbors and friends promotes a sense of community and encourages them to plant, too. If everyone started to grow things in their backyard, even in a box plot or container farming, we can lower our carbon footprint, reduce the amount of waste thrown into the garbage, and have a more sustainable way of living. It’s also a stress-buster that promotes healthy living and makes us happy, especially during harvest time.”

Jean’s top tips for growing organic produce at home:

• Use non-degradable materials for container gardening, such as a laundry container.
• Save eggshells instead of throwing them away. Blend them until they become a power. This can be used as a calcium-rich natural fertilizer.
• Keep kitchen scraps from fruit and vegetables, and things like grass cuttings. Soak them in water. The water makes an organic fertilizer that is a good source of potassium and other minerals that plants need.

We are so happy to count Jean amongst our community of inspiring nurses, and to watch her and her family grow as they live their version of the American dream.

Are you an international nurse interested in starting a new life in the USA? Apply now with Conexus to learn how we can help.