From Arrival to Belonging: A Web-Based Information Platform for Filipino Nurses in Finland : a collaborative initiative with BIBAK suomi ry

Abstract

The purpose of the thesis was to develop a web platform to improve Finnish Social and Support service access for newly employed nurses from the Philippines. Although they play a major role in the Finnish healthcare sector, especially in elderly care, many newly recruited Filipino nurses face a lot of barriers, such as language difficulties, scattered information sources, and a lack of culturally adapted information that addresses their needs and experiences. As recruited workers, there is no systematic integration plan for them, which makes access for them to essential services and adaptation to life in Finland even more difficult.

This webs platform was created with the collaboration of BIBAK Suomi, a non-profit organization who assists the Filipino and Igorot communities in Finland. This web platform serves as a comprehensive repository, providing sociocultural context and access to social services, including information on access to healthcare, housing assistance, monetary subsidies, language classes, and legal rights, prioritizing accessibility, cultural significance, and user friendliness.

Along with collaboration with BIBAK, the project author's knowledge in information technology and social services had been the background of the development process. As a sustainable choice of design and development, WordPress was selected as a CMS (content management system) because it is a better solution for noncoding users. Six Filipino nurses as well as two board members of BIBAK Suomi evaluated the platform to ensure efficiency and cultural relevance and to aid in informal integration. This project highlights the importance of digital solutions that are created with the communities they serve and showcases the power of technology to promote psychosocial well-being and access to services in labor migration contexts.

Keywords: Filipino nurses, social integration, web platform, support services, BIBAK Suomi