Here's Andrea with her daughter Jenny Alexis posing after her pinning ceremony that makes her a nurse!
After completing her degree, Andrea took a few months off. She was really nervous about taking the Enclex exam that is the legal benchmark for being a registered nurse in the US. She really stressed out over it....but....passed it on her first try! (the Nurse's program at our university is excellent....95% of the graduates pass the Enclex exam on the first try)
Everytime I bumped into the 2nd Lady of Guam, her first question would be when would Andrea turn in her papers for our only civilain hospital on the island. The 2nd Lady of Guam is the Head Nurse at GMH. When I was leaving her wedding reception a few months ago...I went through the receiving line to say goodbye as I was ditching...same thing...not "hi Frank" or anything...but when was Andrea gonna start at the hospital!
Living on a small island with a relatively small population...has its advantages. Due to our involvement in local civic events....we have the advantage of being able to actually speak with our local leaders at most events.
Andrea has been working at GHM for the past few months....and is loving it! There are major problems at the hospital...the island is basically broke...and the hospital is constantly short of nurses, doctor specialists, and supplies. There's a private movement to establish a hospital under private control, but of course open to all.
Andrea is basically resigned to the fact that in about a year, she will move to the Seattle area to explore the economic benefits of being a nurse there. The pay here is terrible....$17.70 an hour for a registered nurse! Andrea's husband has a brother there somewhere....so they'll have family on both sides!
I have to congratulate Andrea in reaching her educational and career goal while also providing for her daughter by working full-time while going to school full-time! It was tough, but now she's set for life! :-)
We'll upload pics of her, her daughter Alexis and her husband Andy next week Sunday...as it seems they've planned a family BBQ here at the house to celebrate not only Fathers Day...but Alexis' 10th Birthday!
esta,
si Kiko
at Guam Memorial Hospital, Oka, Guam. (I don't know why they use the area name of Oka...as it's not one of the official/proper villages?!!!)
Proud Auntie
