After going through the EPA program, Redlynne worked as a practical nurse while preparing to take the national nursing exam the following year. Concluding that she couldn’t study for the exam while working full-time, she resigned and returned to her home country. She decided to prepare for the exam in the Philippines.
Q. Could you tell us about your experience with the EPA program and your decision to take on the exam challenge again?
Working as an EPA nurse candidate in Aichi.
A. I first came to Japan as an EPA nurse candidate and worked in Nagoya, then I obtained my practical nursing license in 2018. However, I soon realized how difficult it was to prepare for the national nursing exam while working full-time. Wanting to focus entirely on my studies, I decided to return to my home country.
It was in Nagoya that I met my husband, who was working as an engineer on assignment from Denso. When he also returned home that same year, we began our relationship. Since he hoped to build his career in Japan, I was further motivated to continue my own studies toward passing the national exam.
Ledlynne met Jerome, her future husband, in Nagoya, Aichi. He was working there as an engineer.
Q. What kind of support did you receive while preparing for the exam after the EPA program ?
I was very fortunate to have the guidance of Chizuru (Salvador) sensei, who supported me throughout my studies. I also studied together with Nelie and Jennifer, and being able to encourage one another made the learning process both motivating and enjoyable.
Q. Could you share your experience with retaking the national nursing exam?
In February 2020, I returned to Japan to sit for the national nursing exam. At that time, I also joined a study group led by Michiyo (Yoneno-Reyes)sensei and had the valuable opportunity to connect with other Indonesian candidates who were also challenging the exam again.
Q. Could you tell us about your marriage and family?
I got married in October 2022. At the time, I was working for a Japanese medical interpreting agency in the Philippines. Later, I joined an American BPO company that offered support for the NCLEX (U.S. nursing licensure exam), and I successfully passed the exam while working there. In August 2023, I gave birth to our first child.
Redlynne passed the NCLEX one month before the birth of her first child.
In January 2024, my husband secured a job in Shizuoka and moved to Japan ahead of us. That July, my son and I joined him there. Then, in May 2025, we relocated to Tokyo when my husband changed jobs.
Q. How do you approach childcare in your daily life?
A family trip to Hakone, Kanagawa.
My son loves being outdoors, so I make sure to take him to the park every day. One time, I asked my husband to take him for half a day, and he let our son run around as much as he wanted. That night, however, our son developed a high fever. Since then, my husband has admitted, “I’m not very confident about childcare,” so in reality, I take the lead in raising our son.
On weekends, we go out together as a family—to church, onsen (hot spring) center, or theme parks—and we enjoy watching our son grow day by day.
Q. Looking back now, what have you gained from your experiences so far?
In retrospect, it was very frustrating that my attempt to retake the national exam coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, through my training and hospital work in Japan, and exam preparation, I learned so much—not only about healthcare practices but also about the Japanese language itself. These experiences have been incredibly valuable, even in raising my child here in Japan, and I consider them an important asset in my life.
Q. Looking ahead, what hopes or goals do you have for the future?
In the future, once my child is more independent, I would like to contribute to society in various ways. By making use of my experience as a nurse, I hope to play a meaningful role in areas such as nursing, healthcare, education, or interpretation.
Interviewed on April 21 and May 3, 2025, followed up on September 18, 2025