The Journey of Bringing the Nursing Program to Vietnam
By Khanh Linh Tran, 12:00 PM, May 06, 2024
Through the connection of Dr. Brian Le – an inspiring individual whose professionalism, experience, and dedication have guided us – Phuong Nam Group's Board of Directors invested all our resources and efforts to proudly become the exclusive representative of this transformative program in Vietnam. For me, joining this initiative required no hesitation. As both a friend and a sister to Dr. Le, I was driven by the desire to help fulfill his vision.
At Phuong Nam Group, business is always intertwined with purpose. Profit is never the sole focus; instead, we emphasize creating sustainable impact, achieving meaningful results, and fostering long-lasting connections. Supporting this program was never about financial gain – it was about enabling Vietnam’s talented nurses to access world-class healthcare systems, challenge themselves, and advance their careers on a global stage.
The Beginning of a Meaningful Mission
In February 2024, while on a dream vacation in Santorini, Greece, I spent two days and nights tirelessly working to craft a project proposal for connecting Vietnamese nurses to job and residency opportunities in the United States. The urgency and importance of this mission gave me clarity and determination. Within 48 hours, I completed the proposal, and it was unanimously approved by the program’s Executive Board, officially appointing Phuong Nam Group as the exclusive representative in Vietnam.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
This new endeavor was vastly different from the German study-abroad program we had previously developed. We faced unique challenges that required deep analysis and innovation:
1. Educational Qualifications:
- While the program required a nursing degree from a university, 85% of Vietnamese nurses graduate from colleges, similar to their peers in countries like Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
- We had to explain and bridge this difference, ensuring the Program Management Board understood the high level of clinical expertise among Vietnamese nurses, despite differences in academic pathways.
2. Work Experience:
- The program required two years of hospital experience. However, Vietnamese nurses gain significant hands-on expertise due to heavy workloads.
- For example, the number of patients handled per shift in Vietnam far exceeds the average in the U.S., with Vietnamese nurses often accumulating the equivalent of 3–4 years of experience in just one year.
3. Language Proficiency:
- English fluency, with an IELTS score of 5.5, was another hurdle. Nurses in Vietnam have limited opportunities to use English in daily practice.
- To address this, we advocated for smaller class sizes (15 students instead of 25–30) to provide more personalized support for language development.
4. Age Limit:
- Initially set at under 35, this criterion posed challenges, given that many nurses marry and have children later in life.
- We successfully expanded the age limit to under 50, ensuring more candidates could participate.
Tireless Advocacy for Vietnamese Nurses
In March 2024, I embarked on an intensive 28-hour journey to Las Vegas to negotiate program details. Equipped with meticulous research and the support of my team back home, I engaged in a series of discussions, formal meetings, and informal conversations with the Program Executive Board, partners, and advisors.
Every negotiation felt personal, like advocating for my own family. After three weeks of relentless effort, we achieved significant adjustments to the program's requirements:
|
CONDITION |
BEFORE APRIL 2024 |
AFTER NEGOTIATIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Bachelor’s Degree |
University only |
University or College |
|
Work Experience |
2 years |
1 year |
|
English Proficiency |
IELTS 5.5 |
Confident Communication |
|
Age Limit |
Under 35 |
Under 50 |
These changes opened the door for more Vietnamese nurses to access this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
A Shared Vision
Since then, my team and I have dedicated ourselves entirely to developing the Nursing Connection Program. We’ve set aside all other projects to focus on bringing this vision to life, knowing that opportunities like this are rare and fleeting.
At Phuong Nam Group, we are committed to supporting Vietnamese nurses in realizing their dreams. Together, we aspire to witness their growth and success in global healthcare.
“Opportunity waits for no one – it comes only once in a lifetime.”
Saigon, May 06, 2024 – 11:00 PM
Khanh Linh Tran