<p>Today is <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/honoring-our-trueprofile-io-nurses-for-international-nurses-day-ind2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Nurses Day</a> 2022, where the world shows its appreciation and support for nurses, the strong pillars of healthcare systems globally. At TrueProfile.io, we are proud to be supporting nurses and their careers today and every day of the year. 💙</p>
<p>To mark International Nurses Day 2022, we spoke to one of our international Members, Riza de Castro. Riza describes how investment in nursing can ensure better global health, what top skills nurses need to deliver safe health care and the most challenging aspects of her job.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/4-Riza.jpg" alt="Supporting Nurses Riza de Castro" class="wp-image-14829" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/4-Riza.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/4-Riza-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/4-Riza-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>Hello Riza. Thanks for speaking with us. Please introduce yourself.</h2>
<p>My name is Riza de Castro and I’m from the Philippines. In March 1990, I graduated from <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/partner/resources/trueprofile-io-partners-with-philippine-womens-university-to-boost-filipinos-employment-competitiveness" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Philippine Women’s University</a>. I have been working in the <a href="https://ngha.med.sa/English" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs</a>, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Emergency Nurse Coordinator. Recently, I was promoted to Nursing Shift Coordinator.</p>
<h2>The theme for International Nurses Day 2022 is Nurses: A Voice to Lead. How can we be supporting nurses to ensure better global health?</h2>
<p>Nurses are the backbone and heart of healthcare and we need to invest in nursing to build high-quality health systems that meet the needs of individuals and the community. There is a nursing shortage. We can be supporting nurses and supply this shortage if hospitals recruit new nurses, allow flexible schedules, promote career development and listen to nurses’ voices and concerns.</p>
<h2>What are the top skills nurses need to deliver safe and effective health care?</h2>
<p>Critical thinking, good communication and decision-making. These skills will help develop trust and confidence in the patient, thus providing efficient and good quality nurse-patient care.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/3-Riza-1.jpg" alt="Supporting Nurses Riza de Castro" class="wp-image-14833" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/3-Riza-1.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/3-Riza-1-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/3-Riza-1-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>What is your most memorable experience with a patient?</h2>
<p>I’m the IV team in my department, which means I am the best in IV Cannulation, otherwise known as the staff’s last resource. I was called to insert an IV cannula into a VIP patient. Luckily, I did it well. Another time, I was called to insert an IV into an older female patient and once completed, I didn’t expect the patient to hug and kiss me to thank me!</p>
<h2>Why did you move your nursing career from the Philippines to Saudi Arabia?</h2>
<p>I decided to work in Saudi Arabia to explore my knowledge and skills, gain experience, and for financial reasons.</p>
<h2>What do you love most about living in Saudi Arabia?</h2>
<p>I considered Saudi Arabia as my second home. Here, I built a family with a Saudi and we have a son. But most of all, I am thankful that I’m working and living here for my professional growth and development, wherein I am receiving a higher salary compared to what I would make in the Philippines.</p>
<h2>What are the most challenging parts of your job?</h2>
<p>Decision-making is challenging, especially in critical situations and when on a code to save people’s lives.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/2-Riza.jpg" alt="Supporting Nurses Riza de Castro" class="wp-image-14831" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/2-Riza.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/2-Riza-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/2-Riza-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<h2>How do you prepare for your shifts?</h2>
<p>Before going to my shift, I make sure that my body is in good condition and that my mind is fully focused. I do 4 or 5 12-hour shifts each week in the hospital.</p>
<h2>Why did you become a nurse?</h2>
<p>At first, I was influenced by my relatives, who are nurses, but once I started practicing nursing, I found it holistic and loved it. I will never change my career. My advice for anyone considering nursing is to have a heart and conscience in all you will do. Be passionate and patient enough with those who are sick.</p>
<p><strong>Read about other international nurses that TrueProfile.io continue to support throughout their nursing careers:</strong></p>
<h2>Tinu Thomas</h2>
<h4>🇮🇳 Indian Staff Nurse in Northern Ireland 🇬🇧</h4>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Tinu-Tshutterstock_image.jpg" alt="Tinu Thomas" class="wp-image-14839" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Tinu-Tshutterstock_image.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Tinu-Tshutterstock_image-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Tinu-Tshutterstock_image-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<p><em>“Nursing is a profession that gives me good satisfaction in combining work and caring for sick patients. It gives me good career opportunities too.”</em></p>
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<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/nursing-job-overseas-trueprofile-io-jobs" style="border-radius:50px;background-color:#00497a;color:#f5f5f5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read Tinu’s story</a></div>
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<h2>Hilária Florência Maciel Viveiros</h2>
<h4>🇵🇹 Portuguese Nurse in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦</h4>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Hilaria-820-x-312-shutterstock_image.jpg" alt="Hilária Florência Maciel Viveiros" class="wp-image-14840" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Hilaria-820-x-312-shutterstock_image.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Hilaria-820-x-312-shutterstock_image-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/Hilaria-820-x-312-shutterstock_image-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<p><em>“My favorite part is working under pressure in a critical situation. The adrenaline of saving a life makes me feel alive and that I am doing something for a better world.”</em></p>
<div class="is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons">
<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/surgery-nurse" style="border-radius:50px;background-color:#00497a;color:#f5f5f5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read Hilária’s story</a></div>
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<p></p>
<h2>Sidumisile Dumisani</h2>
<h4>🇿🇦 South African Midwife in the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪</h4>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="820" height="312" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/DUMIshutterstock_image.jpg" alt="Sidumisile Dumisani" class="wp-image-14841" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/DUMIshutterstock_image.jpg 820w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/DUMIshutterstock_image-300x114.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2022/05/DUMIshutterstock_image-768x292.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></figure>
<p><em>“In my role, I am with my patients for every step of their journey. Although it may be challenging, it is always rewarding.”</em></p>
<div class="is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons">
<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/interview-south-africa-uae-midwifery-journey" style="border-radius:50px;background-color:#00497a;color:#f5f5f5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read Dumi’s story</a></div>
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<p></p>
<h3>We love supporting nurses, healthcare professionals and anyone who wants to boost their careers internationally. Let us support you by signing up for a FREE TrueProfile.io Membership today! </h3>
<div class="is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons">
<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background" href="https://sso.trueprofile.io/register" style="border-radius:50px;background-color:#00497a;color:#f5f5f5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sign up now!</a></div>
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