Navigating the Healthcare System and Addressing Mobility: The Multifaceted Roles of Filipino Nurses in Pediatric Care

The pandemic has exposed significant vulnerabilities within Canada’s pediatric healthcare system, particularly regarding its capacity to manage surges in cases attributed to respiratory viruses, influenza, and other infectious diseases. This crisis has raised pressing concerns about Canada's preparedness for pediatric healthcare demands, highlighting systemic inadequacies, including the limited number of specialized children’s hospitals and a critical shortage of nursing staff with pediatric expertise. Concurrently, the influx of Filipino nurses into Canada’s healthcare system presents a complex system of both opportunity and challenge. Many have been involved in multiple migrations, working in healthcare systems in other countries (e.g., Southeast Asia, East Asia, Middle East, UK, and Europe) prior to arriving in Canada. While these nurses are instrumental in delivering care, they often face systemic barriers that hinder their professional mobility and integration into pediatric settings in Canadian hospitals. This paper conceptualizes the roles of Filipino nurses within children’s hospitals and hospital schools, exploring their impact on the educational continuity of hospitalized children. Despite their involvement in health education and patient engagement, the extent to which they contribute to academic learning remains largely unexamined. By investigating the interplay between the Philippines’ nursing labour export policies and Canada's recruitment strategies, this conceptual paper aims to elucidate the broader implications of underemployment and credential recognition for Filipino nurses. It also examines the emotional and psychological dimensions of their work and strategies they employ to navigate challenges in high-stress environments. In doing so, the paper advocates for systemic changes to improve the professional landscape for nurses while enhancing the quality of care and education for vulnerable pediatric populations. Ultimately, this seeks to contribute to advancements in pediatric nursing practice and inform policy adjustments that recognize the vital role these nurses play in supporting the health and educational needs of children who are hospitalized in Canada.