What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a big traveler. I was born in the Philippines, then I moved to Qatar and studied there about 15 years. That’s where I got exposed to research because I did research for three years.
My family and I love to travel to different parts of the world. That really impacted me and my own ideas of research. This summer I went on the Nursing Research program at the University College Dublin in Ireland.
Tell us a bit about your experience studying abroad this summer
Studying abroad in Ireland was one of the best decisions I ever made as a nursing student. I took a health systems class and gained a global perspective on nursing. Living at University College Dublin was comfortable, and I met amazing students from around the world. Scholarships covered my costs, making the experience even more rewarding.
“Studying abroad in Ireland was one of the best decisions I ever made as a nursing student.”
It strengthened my passion for research and helped me grow personally and professionally. It was also a chance for me to explore on my own as an individual, to mature and to be independent and learn how to take care of myself in another country.
I highly recommend it—explore, connect, and enjoy every moment!
Why did you pursue nursing? How did you know you wanted to be a nurse?
I was diagnosed with scoliosis when I was 12 and having that diagnosis really pushed me to become a nurse. I’ve always been a sickly kid and was in and out of a lot of hospitals and around lots of nurses and doctors. My mom and my cousin are also nurses, so I’ve been surrounded by the medical field.
When I had my spinal fusion, the nurses really stuck out to me. I was so supported and even now I still remember their faces. They made such a big impact on my stay in the hospital.
“Being a nurse has its own personal fulfillment, especially when you care so much for people and you love what you’re doing.”
I want to be that kind of nurse. I’m a really empathetic person. I always like to make people laugh or smile. This pathway was just perfect for me. It’s like a perfect balance.
Why did you choose the School of Nursing at UW–Madison?
I researched about the nursing program here, and it’s one of the top-notch ones. The experience here is great. I met so many friends. I love the faculty. I feel like I’ve never been supported so much of my life.
Even when self-doubt comes in, I can just talk to the faculty and friends and rely on them. So that’s amazing.
What would you like to do with your nursing degree?
Being in bedside, you give back to a certain community—in the hospital or the unit.
I want to go on to do nursing research because you can give back on a larger scale, even worldwide. And that’s what I always try to aim for. I want to understand world problems and be able to make an impact, even if I’m just one person.
“I feel like I’ve never been supported so much of my life [at UW–Madison].”
I want to research mental health for young children, especially with chronic diseases. I reflected a lot on myself, though scoliosis is not a chronic disease. As a Filipino who grew up in that kind of stereotypical mindset, it was hard to talk about or even navigate my own mental health because I didn’t know who to talk to.
I want to understand kids more and give them an opportunity to also understand themselves mentally and what they’re going through.
How would your education and career path be different if you hadn’t received a scholarship?
I’d have a lot more worries. I am grateful that my scholarship pays for my tuition, but beyond that I would still need to think about my scrubs, my books, and everything else that I need for nursing school. These pile up.
The scholarship really helped me pay for my books and my rent. It really helped ease my worries, especially in nursing school. I’m grateful for the scholarship.
“Getting scholarships…definitely inspired and motivated me. It makes me feel like people believe in me.”
In your opinion, why should students apply for scholarships?
Scholarships are a big help. Even if you are getting grants, scholarships can really help you have an allowance and not be limited in resources, especially in this economy. Scholarships can also really inspire students to do everything they can in their studies.
It definitely inspired and motivated me. It makes me feel like people believe in me. That made me really motivated to do well in nursing school.
Has anyone inspired you on your nursing journey?
My parents had the biggest impact that really pushed me here, though I did have different ideas and passions along the way. They’re really my biggest supporters and my biggest inspiration. I want to succeed for me and for them.
Are you involved or interested in anything outside of nursing school?
I have two jobs right now. I am part of the center for Education in Research and Early Childhood Development and I’m also an ambassador for my scholarship.
I am also a very creative person. I enjoy music and play the piano, guitar and ukulele. I can also sing. I love entertainment in general, such as video editing.
What advice would you give to individuals who are interested in pursuing nursing?
Have an open mind and never give up. Being in nursing school is a different challenge. It’s different than pre-nursing or other programs, and it will challenge you physically and mentally. Having resilience so that even when you have ups and downs, when you’re sad or happy, you keep going.
Just remember why you’re here. Remember your goals and where you want to be. Having that motivation, no matter how hard it is, it’ll make you keep going.
Are there any misconceptions about nursing that you wish would be dispelled?
A lot of people would tell me, “What are you doing in nursing? Quit it,” because of the nursing shortage and social media showing how nurses are being mistreated. Especially after Covid happened, a lot of nurses quit and it had a bad reputation because of how stressful and demanding the work is.
“Just remember why you’re here. Remember your goals and where you want to be. Having that motivation, no matter how hard it is, it’ll make you keep going.”
They also don’t see the underlying positivity of nursing. Being a nurse has its own personal fulfillment, especially when you care so much for people and you love what you’re doing.
What are you hoping to do after graduation?
After graduation, I’m going back to LA with my family, and I hope to have my residency at Stanford. After that, I want to get at least get two years of experience and then earn my master’s degree at my dream college at University of Edinburgh, Scotland. That’s the game plan for now.