Importing Care, Faithful Service: Filipino and Indian American Nurses at a Veteran's Hospital

This study explores the role of Catholicism in shaping the professional and community lives of foreign-born Filipino and Indian American nurses in the United States, highlighting the cultural tensions and disconnects between their upbringing and training and the legal separation of church and state.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Every year, thousands of foreign-born Filipino and Indian nurses immigrate to the United States, despite their well-trained and desperately needed skills. However, they arrive at a time when the American social and political climate is once again becoming increasingly unwelcoming to immigrants. This study, conducted over a four-year period, explores the role of Catholicism in shaping the professional and community lives of foreign-born Filipino and Indian American nurses working at a Veterans hospital. Through rich ethnographic and survey data, the study sheds light on the often-unseen roles that race, religion, and gender play in the daily lives of these new immigrants employed in American healthcare.

In many ways, these nurses feel foreign not only due to their birthplace but also because of the cultural tensions and disconnects they encounter between their upbringing and training in another country and the legal separation of church and state in the United States. Coping with and engaging these tensions and disconnects is crucial in shaping their self-perception as Catholic nurses and their place in the new American story.

The study reveals that Catholicism provides a sense of community and support for these nurses, who often face discrimination and marginalization in their workplaces. The church offers a haven where they can connect with others who share their faith and cultural background, providing a source of comfort and belonging in a foreign land.

However, the study also highlights the challenges that Catholicism presents for these nurses. The church's teachings on healthcare and reproductive rights may clash with the policies and practices of American healthcare institutions, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings. Additionally, the cultural expectations and norms of the Filipino and Indian communities may differ from those of the Catholic church, creating tensions and conflicts within the nurses' personal and professional lives.

Despite these challenges, the nurses in the study demonstrate resilience and adaptability. They find ways to navigate the cultural tensions and disconnects by building relationships with their patients and colleagues, seeking out resources and support, and advocating for their rights and the rights of their patients. They also use their faith as a source of strength and inspiration, drawing on the teachings of the Catholic church to guide their work and lives.

In conclusion, this study highlights the complex and multifaceted role that Catholicism plays in shaping the professional and community lives of foreign-born Filipino and Indian American nurses in the United States. While the church provides a sense of community and support, it also presents challenges that require resilience and adaptability. By exploring the experiences of these nurses, the study contributes to our understanding of the role of religion and culture in the lives of immigrants in American healthcare and the challenges they face in navigating the healthcare system.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978826335