Rosem Morton

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The First Year

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NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: Jo...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: Johanna Meneses, 32, grabs supplies for her patients at Twilight Gardens in Norwalk, Ohio on March 4, 2023. Meneses is the first international nurse working at Twilight Gardens, a nursing home and long term acute care facility. She was recruited from the Philippines to fill in the nursing shortages in Norwalk. Currently, she is the only nurse with a RN license at night so she has an expected advisory/overseeing role for the LPNs on top of her 16 patients for her night shift. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: Th...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: The supply room at Twilight Gardens, a nursing home and long term acute care facility is seen in Norwalk, Ohio on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: Johanna Meneses, 32, gives insulin to her patient, Orlando Villareal at Twilight Gardens in Norwalk, Ohio on March 4, 2023. Meneses is the first international nurse working at Twilight Gardens, a nursing home and long term acute care facility. She was recruited from the Philippines to fill in the nursing shortages in Norwalk. Currently, she is the only nurse with a RN license at night so she has an expected advisory/overseeing role for the LPNs on top of her 16 patients for her night shift. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: Su...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 4, 2023: Supplies for a blood sugar check at Twilight Gardens is seen in Norwalk, Ohio on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 5, 2023: Ph...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - MARCH 5, 2023: Photos of Johanna Meneses with her friends are seen in her Norwalk, Ohio apartment on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 14, 2023...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 14, 2023: Johanna Meneses, 32, uses her phone before going to bed after her nursing night shift on February 14, 2023. Johanna Meneses is an immigrant registered nurse from the Philippines who moved to Ohio last month. She works night shift in a very understaffed nursing/rehab/long term facility with about 25-38 patients in a shift. Because she is the first international nurse in her facility, her workplace is still learning the intricacies of having her work there (licensing, background and medical checks, etc). Johanna is also working to advocate for herself since they do not understand that nursing homes are not part of the healthcare system of the Philippines. This is one of the many adjustments she has to face since moving here. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 13, 2023...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 13, 2023: The workplace of Johanna Meneses, 32, is seen in Norwalk, Ohio on February 13, 2023 (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 14, 2023: The reflection of a storefront is seen in Norwalk, Ohio is seen on February 14, 2023. Johanna Meneses is an immigrant registered nurse from the Philippines. She moved last month to Norwalk, Ohio as the 18th international nurse (all Filipinos) in the city, first international nurse at her facility and the first of two international residents at their apartment complex. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH: Johanna Meneses, 3...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH: Johanna Meneses, 32, is an immigrant registered nurse from the Philippines. She moved last month to Norwalk, Ohio as the 17th international nurse in the city and first international nurse at her facility. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 12, 2023...ton Post) Norwalk United States

NORWALK, OH - FEBRUARY 12, 2023: (L-R) Rowell Feliciano, 40, Angelo Ortiz, 24, Augusto Roncal, 37, Racine Dimalanta-Ortiz, 24, Johanna Meneses, 32, and Jerald Vasquez, 31, gather to watch television together at Ortiz’s apartment in Norwalk, Ohio on February 12, 2023 They are all Filipino nurses of different ages who have formed a budding friendship since their recent move from the Philippines to Norwalk, Ohio. (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 6, 2023: ...ton Post) Norwalk United States

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 6, 2023: Johanna Meneses welcomes April Fernando and her family as they arrive to Cleveland. Fernando follows Meneses as the 19th international nurse to move to Norwalk, all of whom are Filipinos. Although both Meneses and Fernando worked at the same insurance company in the Philippines, this is their first time meeting in person because of the pandemic (Photo by Rosem Morton for The Washington Post) Norwalk United States

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The First Year

Copyright Rosem Morton 2024

Updated Apr 2023

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As one of many nurses recruited to address the US nursing shortage, Joey faces unique challenges as a immigrant nurse in Norwalk. She is the first international nurse in her facility and one of the less than 20 living in the city. Yet, she takes pride in setting a benchmark for foreign nurses while working 12-hour night shifts, overseeing at least 16 patients and covering staffing gaps. Joey finds comfort in the growing Filipino nursing community and her commitment to living in the present and making a positive impact.

Photographs and writing featured on the Washington Post

Rosem Morton

Mar 16, 2020

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