From Nepal to Nursing in the U.S.

Heena arrived in the United States eleven years ago with a clear goal: education. Leaving Nepal behind, she enrolled in college in Mississippi, determined to
build a future through learning and growth.
“I wanted to go to the best schools possible. I wanted to be the most educated woman at the table,

” she says.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Heena earned a master’s degree in public health at the University of Arizona and worked as a clinical trials
manager in collaboration with the CDC. Later, she decided to pivot into nursing, completing an accelerated BSN program in Phoenix and passing her NCLEX.
That’s when retrogression created an unexpected challenge.
Unable to adjust her status at the time, she faced uncertainty and had to rethink her path. Through ADEX, she found a solution: pursuing her Master of
Science in Nursing while working under CPT, allowing her to continue building her career as her green card process moved forward. ADEX filed her I-140,
giving structure to her long-term plan.
Today, Heena works in Kansas City while continuing her MSN studies. The transition into nursing has been demanding but deeply rewarding. She
emphasizes that nursing requires strong communication, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
“You have to have thick skin. You have to know how to de-escalate. You can’t fight fire with fire.”
She learned to rely on teamwork and actively seek resources — collaborating with physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and fellow nurses. That mindset
helped her grow quickly, and within five months as a new graduate nurse, she stepped into a charge nurse role.
Advocating for patient safety and speaking up when needed became part of her leadership approach.
“You have to protect your patients, and you have to protect your license.”
Adjusting to life in the U.S. also required openness. Coming from Nepal, she embraced different cultures, perspectives, and workplace dynamics, which she
believes is essential for international nurses.
“You have to come with an open mind and be willing to learn and adapt.”
For nurses abroad considering a similar journey, Heena’s advice is honest but hopeful: immigration takes time, patience, and resilience. But for those willing
to commit to the process, the opportunities for professional and personal growth are real.
More than a decade after arriving as a student, Heena continues to study, grow, and build the career she envisioned: a proof that with perseverance and the
right support, progress is possible.