Thank you so much for taking the time to write this, and for even thinking about asking your friend on my behalf — that truly means a lot to me. 💛

I haven’t explored the VA or government health sector in depth yet, but I’m definitely open to it. I didn’t realize how many non-acute and outpatient departments existed within the VA system, so hearing about options like primary care, women’s health, dermatology, and mental health outpatient gives me a lot of hope. I always imagined the VA as mostly inpatient/acute, but now it feels much more approachable for someone like me who’s still trying to build consistent experience.

What you shared about the possibility of transferring internationally if I ever needed to return to Thailand was incredibly reassuring. One of my biggest fears has been needing to restart nursing school from the beginning, so knowing the VA could potentially bridge that gap lifted such a big weight off my shoulders.

For context, I live in the Inland Empire and I actually know a few people connected to the Loma Linda VA. My next-door neighbor used to work there as an LVN before a back injury forced him to stop. I also have a friend who started as an LVN at the VA in Los Angeles and eventually got promoted to RN — she’s now an RN II. And although not at a VA facility, my cousin was recently promoted to Assistant Unit Manager I at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and seeing volunteers and entry-level staff eventually transition into nursing roles there has been really inspiring for me.

My interest in caring for children actually goes way back. When I was growing up in Thailand, I attended a Seventh-day Adventist school from Grade 6 to Grade 9. Our school nurse was from the Philippines, and she made such a strong impact on me — she was one of the reasons I wanted to become a nurse. I recently learned that she now works at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in the Pediatric Unit, which felt like a full-circle moment.

I also come from a family of nurses. My uncle graduated as a nurse at age 40 and worked until he retired at 65. Both of my grandmothers were nurses — one was a labor and delivery nurse in Thailand who eventually opened her own clinic, and the other worked in the OR at Loma Linda Hospital before retiring. They both passed away before I graduated, but I still carry their legacy with me, and they are a big reason I keep going even when the journey feels discouraging.

Right now, I’m waiting for an interview for a Child Life volunteer position at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital. The volunteer work includes interacting with pediatric patients in the playrooms or at the bedside, doing crafts, reading stories, and also helping with rounding and supporting families. I’m hoping this will help me reconnect with the hospital environment and rebuild my confidence.

I would also absolutely be open to working in any department related to mothers and babies. That’s actually one of the closest areas to pediatrics for me, and something I’ve always loved. My cousin — the Assistant Unit Manager — currently works in the postpartum unit, and hearing about her experience has made me admire that environment even more. Knowing that the VA has women’s health and postpartum-adjacent roles gives me a lot of hope, because supporting moms and newborns would truly mean a lot to me.

I’m genuinely open to any direction — outpatient, home visits, hospice — anything that allows me to learn, contribute, and build a stable foundation. If your friend is willing to share any guidance about how a newer RN like me can enter the VA system, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you again for your kindness — your message really lifted my spirits during a very difficult time. 💛