A: I came to Japan in 2011 as part of the EPA Batch 3 nurse candidates from the Philippines under the Economic Partnership Agreement program. I worked at a hospital on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture for seven years. For the first three years, I worked as a nurse assistant while preparing for Japan\u2019s National Examination for Nurses. Then, I worked for four years as a licensed practical nurse (<\/span>jun-kangoshi<\/span><\/i>).<\/span> A: I met <\/span>Chizuru-sensei in 2018 through a friend who was also an EPA Batch 3 candidate. She introduced me to a program for former EPA candidates who wanted to retake the national nursing exam.<\/span> We arrived in Japan five days before the exam. I was so nervous during the test that I failed <\/span>by just one point, while my close friend Joren passed. Of course, I was sad, but I was also truly happy for her success.<\/span><\/p>\n A: Yes. After I failed in the 2019 exam, I was asked if I wanted to take the exam again. I still dreamed of working as a nurse in Japan, so I decided to try once more.<\/span> A: I started to think maybe Japan wasn\u2019t meant for me. I even thought about giving up and finding a job to support my family. But my husband, who loves Japan, encouraged me not to quit. He told me, \u201cIt\u2019s okay to cry or be disappointed, but never give up.\u201d<\/span> A: Because of the lockdown in the Philippines, I studied online. One of my supporters in Japan, <\/span>Mr. S, sent me textbooks and practice materials. However, there was a chance that the Japanese Embassy wouldn\u2019t issue a visa due to pandemic restrictions.<\/span> A: When I arrived, I had to quarantine in a hotel and couldn\u2019t go outside. Mr. S delivered meals to me every day, and Chizuru-sensei\u2019s friends sent care packages. Even people I had never met before encouraged me. Thanks to their support, I stayed motivated and faced the exam with a strong heart \u2014 and finally, <\/span>I passed.<\/span><\/p>\n A: On exam day, I was nervous, but I felt confident that I had done everything I could.<\/span> A: Since May 2022, I have been working as a nurse at a Long-Term Care Health Facility<\/span> (Kaigo R\u014djin Hoken Shisetsu) in Saitama Prefecture. I have enjoyed caring for the elderly ever since the early days of the EPA program.<\/span> A: When residents tell me \u201cthank you\u201d at the end of the day, it makes me truly happy. Working as a nurse in Japan is challenging, but it\u2019s a wonderful experience.<\/span> A: It\u2019s very important to <\/span>understand the essential questions \u2014 not just memorize them. The JICWELS e-learning system and practice tests were very helpful for me, so I recommend using them if you can.<\/span> A: While I was working as a practical nurse on Awaji Island, I gave birth to my first child there. My husband, who was on a dependent visa and could work only 28 hours per week, helped with childcare while working part-time. We later returned to the Philippines together.<\/span> Reconstructed based on the presentation \u201cMy Life after EPA\u201d (Shizuoka City, October 1, 2022).<\/em> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After completing the EPA program, Nelie went back to the Philippines. She had discovered how much she enjoyed […]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-392","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-returnees"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/span>Since foreign nationals with a practical nurse license can only work for four years, I had to return to the Philippines in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: How did you find the free review course for Japan’s nursing exam?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>In January 2019, we studied at a restaurant owned by a Japanese person. We stayed in a nearby dormitory that they kindly arranged for us.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: You tried again the following year, right?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>That time, we rented a condominium in Manila for about a month and studied together day and night. I practiced with past exam questions and used an online study app so I could study anywhere.<\/span>
\n<\/span>But again, I became too nervous on exam day \u2014 and <\/span>failed by one point for the second time. I cried a lot and felt so sorry for everyone who supported me financially and emotionally. It was very discouraging.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: What kept you going after those two difficult attempts?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>When I learned that I would be supported again for my <\/span>third attempt in 2021, I was so happy.<\/span><\/p>\nHow did you prepare for the third exam during the COVID-19 pandemic?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>Chizuru-sensei and Mr. S contacted JICWELS and other organizations to ask for help and advice.<\/span>
\n<\/span>At first, three of us joined the program, but in the end, I was the only one who took the exam.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: What was it like when you finally came to Japan for the third time?<\/h3>\n
Q: How did you feel when you found out you passed?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>In March 2021, when the results were announced, I found out I had passed. I will never forget that moment. This time, I cried tears of joy. I will always remember everyone who believed in me and supported me.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: Tell us about your current work in Japan.<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>At first, I was worried because there was so much to learn and many Japanese words I didn\u2019t understand. But I realized that building trust with elderly residents doesn\u2019t depend on language, nationality, or background \u2014 it comes from speaking with heart.<\/span>
\n<\/span>When residents smile at me or share their stories, I feel deeply rewarded. I believe that when you treat the elderly with kindness and sincerity, that kindness eventually comes back to you.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: What do you find most rewarding about your job?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>At first, I struggled with Japanese, but now I rarely have any problems. Every day, I try to stay positive and smile.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: What message would you like to share with future EPA nurse candidates?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>And most importantly \u2014 <\/span>believe in yourself. Becoming a nurse in Japan is not easy, but it\u2019s absolutely worth all the effort.<\/span><\/p>\nQ: Can you tell us a bit about your family life in Japan?<\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>After I passed the national exam, I came back to Japan first, and my husband and son joined me when our son entered elementary school.<\/span>
\n<\/span>In the fall of 2024, I gave birth to our daughter in Saitama, and I\u2019ve just returned to work after maternity leave.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nFollow-up interview conducted in \u25cb November 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n