Dr. Annabelle Borromeo: Making Valuable Filipino Nurses Everywhere

She all have what it takes to succeed more in the gruelling world of competitive nursing in the US. But decided to go home and found the value of her nursing calling. When she finally heeded the call to come home more than a decade ago, she took a leap of faith.

Prof. Annabelle Borromeo, RN Ph.D got the most extensive credentials in the country today. Both her nursing practice and nursing education experiences are superb marked by a colorful career that spanned a number of years. Dr. Borromeo is now the dean of the Institute of Nursing, Far Eastern University. Prior to that job, she was the first VP for Patient Care Services of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang.

After receiving a diploma (GN) program from the UP-PGH School of Nursing in Manila in 1976, she immediately pursued a BSN from the St. Louis University College of Nursing in 1978. She likewise received has MSN degree major in Critical Care Education from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas in 1988, and aPhD Major in Nursing, Minor in Statistics from the Texas Woman'sUniversity in 1998.

She started out as a staff nurse in the ICU of the Hendrick MedicalCenter, then moved to the St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital Texas HeartInstitute in 1981 as a staff nurse in theC CU, and then after 2 years got promoted to Unit Teacher and eventually Nurse Manager of the Heart Transplant Unit.

She took a brief hiatus in the Philippines but went back to the States to take on a Nurse Manager position in a Cardiovascular Unit and since then have fulfilled a variety of roles at St. Luke's (nurse liaison consultant, staffnurse in both 3ICU and PACU).

After 18 years at St. Luke's, she moved to the home health arena assuming posts such as Quality Officer and Director of Nursing in various home health agencies. After earning a Ph.D, she also dabbled in consulting works through her firm (Borromeo & Associates) whose main expertise is assisting home health agencies with Joint Commission accreditation or systems/performance improvement.

Dr. Borromeo who is in the States as of presstime was gracious to accomodate our email interview.

1. We understand that you have a storied nursing career in the US? What motivated you to go back to the Philippines?

When I first got to the States in the late 70's, I had a very difficult adjustment because my background was in Rural Health Nursing. The very first assignment that was given me was the ICU of a very busytrauma center in West Texas. Therefore, I felt totally lost and unprepared, and committed many, many mistakes, fortunately, none of which was serious enough to kill a patient. Those boo-boos, though, however minor(i.e. from mispronouncing words, to a very real fear of the telephone, to calling the doctor and hanging up because I get tongue-tied) did not make for a very good impression of Filipino nurses among my American colleagues. I felt that I was very unprepared to step into the role of an ICU nurse. Night after night, during the first 6 months, I would silently lick my wounds and cry and it even sometimes got to the point where my constant prayer was for the Lord to take me. Then, I realized that, if I went in with a defeatist attitude, I would get nowhere. And slowly, I built my self-confidence enough to take one small step at a time. I somehow realized that no one was going to help me except myself, and that to be able to compete in the US, I had to "do more," "be more," and "try more." And that's what I did. Until I got to the point of being self-confident enough to assist with codes proficiently, call the physician and make recommendations for care, and advance in my clinical skills. Years later, after I obtained my master's degree from the Universityof Texas Health Science Center in Houston, I felt an uneasiness in my heart. I had everything actually... a great job, a happy marriage, nicethings, loving friends... but I wasn't completely happy. It took me 10 years to realize that my mission was to value, find value, add value,and make valuable Filipino nurses everywhere so that they don't undergo the same difficulties that I went through when I was new. That's when I started to think that I was being called to get back tothe Philippines. And when I finally decided to leave everything behind and heed my life's purpose call, I felt peaceful and the "hole in myheart" disappeared.

2. What are the major challenges faced by schools/colleges of nursingin the Philippines? What are the major directions of ADPCN in this area?

In particular, the FEU College of Nursing?

Challenges:

1. Dwindling clinical resources

2. Dearth of experienced nurse educators

3. Large volume of enrollment in nursing programs

4. Students who are not committed to the profession and are just"forced" by parents or circumstances to take up nursing

Directions of the FEU Institute of Nursing:

1. Optimization and maximization of technology to enhance deploymentof curriculum and monitoring of student and faculty performance throughthe use of electronic learning platforms

2. Optimal use of the Virtual Integrated Nursing Education Simulation(VINES) Laboratory which houses human patient simulators, and otherstate-of-the art equipment in a realistic hospital setting

3. Individualization of learning through the use of podcasts and vodcasts

4. Deployment of an active Peer Tutoring Program also called the Student Apprentice in Nurse Training (SAINT) Program

5. Threading through Evidence-Based Practice in the curriculum

6. Testing the Synergy Model in nursing education

ADPCN Directions:

1. Amassing of a large data base on a number of issues:

1.1. Demographics of nurse educators

1.2. Related Learning Experiences

1.3. Minimum requirements for competency acquisition in the OR,DR and newborn cord care

2. Equipping Deans with management and leadership skills.

3. Getting involved at the Policy Level regarding nursing education matters

Aside from being active in her parish activities, she is very much into research endeavors. In fact, she has on-going researches at FEU.

Truly, Dr. Borromeo found the real value of her profession back home.

The Rising Star in International Transcultural Nursing

Long before a family namesake has carved a niche in a different field, there is one Filipino (or, a Filipina) whose contribution to nursing has earned recognition not only in America but worldwide.


Dr. Dula Pacquiao is a star in the international transcultural nursing movement, already close to achieving an iconic status in that field. She is ,in fact according to some colleagues, the next Madeleine Leininger--the founder of the transcultural nursing.


Dr. Pacquiao is currently a nursing professor from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). Recently, she received the 2007 Humanism in Healthcare Award from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.

Dula Pacquiao, EdD, RN, of Edison, is associate professor and director of the Stanley Bergen, Jr. Center for Multicultural Education, Research, and Practice at UMDNJ-School of Nursing. An internationally known expert in Transcultural Nursing, she is director of the Transcultural Nursing Scholars organization, and senior editor of the Journal of the Transcultural Nursing Society.


Her awards include the Excellence in Nursing Education Award from the New Jersey State Nurses Association, the Leininger Award for Transcultural Nursing Leadership from the International Transcultural Nursing Society, the Research Award from the Philippine Nurses Association of America, and the Professional Leadership Award from the Teachers College Alumni Association at Columbia University. She earned her EdD in Anthropology of Education from Rutgers University, her MA in Curriculum & Instruction from Columbia University, New York and her BS in Nursing from the University of the Philippines in Manila.

Knowing her hectic schedule and doing our constant follow up, Professor Pacquiao finally send her reply. After all, it's worth waiting the star.

What is the state of transcultural nursing today?

There are 2 events that increased the significance of this field today. One is the demographic changes in the country which highlighted the ineffectiveness of the “usual healthcare” for all groups. Healthcare practitioners and agencies are confronted by different groups of people with different values, beliefs and practices as well as communication and language patterns that impact on health outcomes and care effectiveness. The Office of Minority Health, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and states’ Departments of Health have endorsed the Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Standards for Healthcare Services for all healthcare facilities. Some standards such as provision of language interpreters at all points of care are legally mandated. Health care organizations are expected to provide resources to ensure cultural competence of staff.

The Institute of Medicine’s Report, Unequal Burden has documented existence of health disparities that disadvantage ethnic and racial groups. In another report, Unequal Treatment, the IOM has documented evidence of prejudicial treatment of patients based on race and ethnicity which debunked the old supposition that poor health is due mainly to low socioeconomic status. Many research since then have indicated that race and ethnic concordance between patients and practitioners does make effective care.

The mandate for cultural competence development and need to increase representation of racial and ethnic minorities in health professions are some of the issues that transcultural nurses have always fought for. There are about four states that require physicians to complete a course on cultural competent care as a condition for licensure and relicensure. NJ was the first one to legislate this requirement.

On her research and teaching involvement

My research and teaching interests have always centered on cultural diversity in education and health care, cross cultural theory and research methods. Some of the studies that I have published include social and cultural influences in aging, teaching and learning, ethics, end-of-life care, attitudes towards psychological and mental illness, motherhood, and communication. These have involved Filipinos, Africans, Hispanics, Russians and white American groups. I have designed a program to enhance acculturation of foreign-educated nurses in the US healthcare, that has been ongoing in NJ since 2001.

The PhD in Urban Health Systems is a non-nursing degree with a concentration on the social and cultural determinants of health. It is jointly offered by UMDNJ-Rutgers University and the NJ Institute of Technology. It has a broader perspective about health that is grounded not just in biomedical sciences but more importantly in social, cultural and environmental phenomena. For example, the combined effect of social isolation, discrimination, poverty, and urbanization result in poor health that create a lifetime disadvantage for certain groups. Hence, remedies are not in treating the disease but in improving the social conditions in which people live.

On her academic and community involvement

I am a member of the Advisory Board of the PNA, NJ as I was one of its former Presidents. I am a member of the Sigma Theta Tau, Lambda Iota Chapter and the UP Alumni Association of NJ. I have not been as actively involved because of my other professional involvement as Director of the Transcultural Nursing Scholars (international organization of transcultural nursing experts), member of the Joint Expert Panel on Global Standards for Culturally-congruent Care between the American Academy of Nursing and Transcultural Nursing Society, member of the Advisory Committee on Cultural Competence in Baccalaureate Nursing Education for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and Associate Editor of the Journal of Transcultural Nursing.

As the Director of the Stanley Bergen Center for Multicultural Education, Research and Practice, I provide approximately 20 consultations and educational programs relevant to cultural competence and cultural diversity in health care, annually. I just came back from Botswana to give a week-long workshop for nursing educators in the country regarding HIV/AIDS prevention and care. I am planning to go back on a Fullbright Scholarship to continue the work I have begun.

On her future plans

I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Filipino educators and researchers in the future . In the past I have been more involved and I hope that the opportunity will come soon.

Striving to Put Filipino Nurses in the Forefront of Healthcare

After six runs, we at the GFNR is very pleased to get on board for the October edition no less than the most visible nurse leader in the Philippines.

As a national president of the Philippine Nurses Association, Dr. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz is on a regular media and travel circuit representing the Association in advocacy, lobbying, among other things. The latest involvement is on the Association's stand in highly-critical Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) . (Editor's note: Under the JPEPA, only 400 Filipino nurses and 600 caregivers would be allowed into Japan in the first two years, subject to re-negotiation thereafter. Filipino nurses and caregivers would have to undergo a six-month language training.)

Well, our leader is ever ready in the battlefield.

Dr. Paquiz got her Master of Arts in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees from Trinity University of Asia. A consistent scholar, she finished her Doctor of Education, major in Educational Administration and Master of Public Health from the University of the Philippines.


Her fruitful and best years were spent as the dean of Trinity University of Asia, St. Luke’s College of Nursing, known today as one of the No. 1 in the 2007 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination. She shared her passion and potentials for nursing to Adamson University and the Systems Technology Institute as the Founding Dean of the College of Nursing.


In 2003, she worked in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a member of the Technical Committee on Nursing Education.


She served ADPCN for the past nine years from 1997 up to 2006 holding different positions as an officer and member of the Board of Directors.


In 2004 and 2006, while serving as Governor of NCR Zone 2, she was the VP for Programs and Development of the Philippine Nurses Association and was the Over -all Chairperson of the 82nd and 84th Foundation Anniversary, 47th and 49th Nurses Week Celebration and Annual Convention with an evaluation rating of Excellent.

Before she became a Dean, she served the community and the Filipino people as a Public Health Nurse in the Department of Education Culture and Sports, Division of City Schools, Quezon City.

She ventured to know how it is like to be in other countries, so she worked as a Staff Nurse in Goldwater Memorial Hospital, Roosevelt Island, New York. But because of her strong national identity and love for country, she came back to serve her native land.

On her non-nursing involvement

She loves to serve the Lord. She has served as a Choir Director for ten years and performed even in Meralco Theater and the Phil Am Auditorium. Now, she is teaching Children’s Choir that includes her two grandchildren ageing seven and five.


She worked for the plight of sexually abused children, the abuser and the family of the abused and abuser as a whole. She was the Vice-President of the Board of Directors for ten years of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse, and served as its President at the end of her term.


At present, she is the President of St. Luke’s Nurses Alumni Foundation, Inc. She is also the President of the Pastoral Council of the Filipino Evangel Christian Church.


From 2002 up to 2005, she was the International Consultant for Nursing Education and Nursing Practice in Rumah Sakit Immanuel and the College of Nursing in Bandung, Indonesia


With her quest for knowledge, she represented her beloved Philippines to other countries and did paper presentations in Switzerland, United States, Israel, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Japan.


She was given the award “TANGING PAGPAPAHALAGA sa Paglilingkod sa Kapwa sa Larangan ng “Welfare and Charitable Services” from the Malabon City Government.


However, the most coveted of all her accolades is an ideal family. She is a loving wife to Engineer Samuel Paquiz, a businessman, she is a doting mother to Titus, a businessman, Haya, a doctor, Faye, a lawyer and Paul, an account executive. She is the Lila (grandmother) of three active and intelligent children, Alexine, Jolo and Ram.

Her never ending quest in life: believing in the nursing profession; striving to put nurses in the forefront of healthcare, and very important, is serving God, country and the people.

A Filipino Nurse Leader Par Excellence

In less than two decades since bagging his BSN and AB degrees (magna cum laude), this St. Paul University graduate has rapidly risen to prominent leadership positions. The most recent of this stellar leadership role is his election to the presidency of the New Jersey Board of Nursing this January 2007. He is also the President-elect of Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. and will be serving as the association’s President in 2008-2010.

Professor Leo Felix Jurado, RN, MA, Ph.D (candidate) is currently the Assistant Chairperson of the Department of Nursing, County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ.

Highly accomplished in his field, Professor Jurado’s dynamism and advocacy has earned him numerous awards from different prestigious organizations. To name a few: The Asian American Leadership Award (Asian American Association for Human Services), Nurse Scientist Scholarship Award (National Coalition of Ethnic Minorities Nurses Association/AETNA) , DON in Nursing Award for extraordinary leadership and exceptional contributions to the profession of Nursing (The Institute for Nursing ), Excellence in Nursing Education Award (Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc.), Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2000, St. Paul University Outstanding Nurse Alumni Award in Education, Nurse Educator of the Year Award (Philippine Nurses Association), Who’s Who in American Nursing (Society of Nursing Professionals)


He is a mentor with the Minority Nurse Leadership Institute at Rutgers University as well as a mentor for the School of Nursing Committee at Thomas Edison State College, and a member of the Forum of Advanced Practice Nurses.

He travels nationally and internationally as a speaker of many issues affecting nursing practice.

With a hectic schedule almost every day, Professor Jurado was so kind to meet the press deadline and shared his thoughts to our readers:

On his work as President of the Board of Nursing of the State of NJ.

As president I lead the Board members in fulfilling the mission of the New Jersey Board of Nursing, primarily for public protection. I ensure that strategic plans adopted by the Board members are implemented appropriately and in a timely manner. Aside from presiding regular, disciplinary and some committee meetings, I make sure that I represent the Board of Nursing in many forums whereby discussions are focused about the advancement of the profession and its relationship to the public and with other health care disciplines.


Involvement in the Filipino communities, nursing groups:

Through the years I have always been involved with the Federation of Philippine Societies in New Jersey, Inc. I served as its Board of Directors for four years. I was also a pioneer member of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). I have coordinated community programs such as Immigration Symposium, Health Fairs, Group concerts coming from the Philippines to perform in the US and supported Filipino leaders aspiring in the political arena.

I am a member of the New Jersey State Nurses Association and serves as a Chair of its Continuing Education Review teams. I was a four-time Elected Delegate to the American Nurses Association National Convention.

I am a Visitor/Accreditor for the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).I am Board of Director of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minorities Association (NCEMNA).


Views on the proliferation of practical nursing schools in the Philippines.

.
I do not support the proliferation of LPN schools in the Philippines. In the first place, they are not approved by the Philippine Board of Nursing. Until such time that the Philippine Board of Nursing approves this type of Nursing with a legitimate educational and licensing standards, I doubt that there will be many US Boards of Nursing if any will approve their licensure in the US Boards of Nursing and its jurisdictions. Even in the US, only few experienced LPNs are hired in acute care Settings. I don’t foresee promising job placements of LPNs here.

Still on his early 40's but man, we bet this guy will be the beckon of Filipino nurses not only in America but in the whole world. Together we will support him and maybe ten years down the road, we will see more and exciting fruits of Professor Jurado's leadership prowess.

A Remarkable Filipino Nursing Educator from Down Under

While many of her contemporaries are heading the "Land of Milk and Honey" and many are still focusing their sights on American dream, she challenged paradigm and went Down Under. And like the few who braved the tough challenge at the top, she made a remarkable name for herself and her country in Australia.

Prof. Violeta Lopez, RN, RM, MNA, MPET, PhD, FRCNA is currently head, School of Nursing (NSW and ACT) Australian Catholic University. GFNR is privileged to interview her and she is kind enough to share her thoughts.



The challenges in the Australian nursing education



Nursing education in Australia is a 3-year degree and if one wishes to pursue an honours degree, then it is undertaken for another year. However, entry into the honours degree depends on a high grade point average. The nursing profession was not successful in lobbying for a 4-year degree because of budget allocation for nurses. The government could only support for three years, hence, the 3-year program has been packed with subjects and clinical experience to cover all the necessary skills and competencies according to the Australian Nurses and Midwives Council (ANMC). Nevertheless, the education of Australian nurses remain to be comparable to that of other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States and graduates could easily get a job in any other Commonwealth countries.



Postgraduate education, of course, is abundant with specialization in almost all fields of nursing. These courses range from Graduate Certificates to Doctoral level. Postgraduate qualifications are a requirement for entry to become Nurse Specialists, Nurse Consultants, and Nurse Practitioners. Double degrees are also a popular choice for undergraduate education. For example, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Nursing/ Bachelor of Paramedicine; Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, and many more. These courses range from four to five years.



As the Dean of the School of Nursing, I need to be always aware and also need to collaborate closely with our industry partners. I need to be on top of what are the educational needs to nurses that would provide them with the necessary qualifications deemed necessary for their promotions and advancement in the health care system. Partnership between universities and clinical setting is also important as our School establishes Clinical Chair Professors, a joint appointment between the hospital and the School where funding for the salary is shared equally. In our School, we have a Professor of Nursing Research with St. Vincent’s Mater Health and with RSL Lifecare (ageing). Another Clinical Chair Professor will be appointed with the Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital. This initiative is only one of the many important strategies in increasing the research capacity of the School as both the academic staff and students have the opportunity to participate in research program of the Professors.



Internationalisation is also another important strategy in making sure that the School is able to also address the needs of international students and registered nurses. Our links are primarily with the Asia Pacific region such as Vanuatu, China, Philippines, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and others that are within the European countries. Our partnership to these countries involved research as well as staff-student exchange. The School also has a large number of international students, both at undergraduate and graduate levels. They bring with them their rich culture and experiences that add so much wealth of information sharing and cultural exchange with the local students. However, they also need a lot of support and our university has provided them with services from the Academic Skills Unit, Counseling and Pastoral Care Unit and the International Office.

On Filipino nurses in Sydney

The Federal government has highlighted the nursing profession as a national priority and acknowledged the need to prepare more nursing professionals to meet the demands of the nursing shortage within the health care systems. The School of Nursing (NSW and ACT) continues to hold national and international standing and proud of the value that it promotes through its teaching, learning, research and community service. The School is distinctive as a regional institution that provides a number of entry opportunities into the Bachelor of Nursing program.



We are proud to announce that our School has a number of Filipino student nurses who are going through our course with excellent results. Filipino nurses are being sought after because of their conscientiousness, dedication, hard work, and loving care they provide to those in need of such care. The School endeavors to support them and at the same time applaud the Filipino nurses’ professionalism while facing various work challenges and sometimes discrimination in health care settings. However, they continue to stand strong and role model what ideal nursing and nurses are all about!



The Philippine Health Care Association – Australia Incorporated is one organization that supports healthcare professionals in Sydney through its regular meetings and activities. The work of its officers and members in upholding the image and promoting the welfare of Filipino health care workers in Australia are to be commended.



As the Head of the School of Nursing, I am proud to have Filipinos working in our School as nursing laboratory technicians. They are very reliable, industrious, committed and well-liked by academic staff as they give support to them during laboratory practice of nursing students. The School also has a huge number of international students mainly from Japan, Korea, China, India, Nepal, Africa, and of course the Philippines. Some of these Filipino students are registered nurse immigrants to Australia and requires to complete the one year course in order to register in New South Wales, while other Filipino nursing students are already Australian citizens enrolling in their first university degree.



Other Filipino nurses already hold managerial positions in hospitals, nursing homes, and community centres, while others do private agency work as their time commitments permit, especially those with young families. All I can say is that wherever Filipino nurses work, they are making their mark as hardworking and caring nurses who always strive to give their best showing the country what Filipino nurses are all about.



On her career journey



I left the Philippines in 1973 and worked as a Public Health supervisor in Laos with the United States Aid for International Development (US-AID). After evacuation, I migrated to Australia and settled in Sydney where I pursue postgraduate studies in Critical Care, Applied Physiology, and Clinical Teaching. Obtaining these qualifications enabled me to get a position as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Intensive Care Unit. My academic career started in 1988 at Sydney University. While teaching full-time, I also did my Masters in Nursing Management, Masters in Professional Education and Training, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).



I also worked as a nurse consultant for the Australian International Development Program and was assigned in Malaysia to assist the nursing school at the University Sains Malaysia to develop the Diploma in Critical Care Nursing curriculum and the Bachelor of Nursing curriculum. I was also invited by the Ministry of Health in Oman to also assist them in developing the Diploma in Critical Care Nursing.



In 1997, I went to Hong Kong and worked as a Professor at the Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 2006, I was invited to be the Head of the School at the Australian Catholic University, accepted the position and moved back to Sydney.



My career has been full of exciting experiences, with travels in almost all parts of the continent either as a consultant or speaker at conferences. As an academic, I teach mostly in postgraduate courses, research and statistics and evidence-based practice. My specialty clinical and research areas are in critical care including adult intensive care, accident and emergency and cardiothoracic nursing. My vast clinical experiences have given her a worldwide view of critical care nursing from the perspectives of students and registered nurses from Asia, Europe and North America. I am also the Associate Editor for Connect, the official journal of the World federation of Critical Care Nurses.



Examples of my research include: (1) Physical, psychological and social recovery patterns of Hong Kong patients after coronary artery bypass graft; (2) The relationship between sense of coherence on quality of life and coping ability following a critical illness among Hong Kong Chinese; (3) A randomized controlled trial for the cost-effectiveness of using Dermabond (2-Octyl cyanocrylate) versus suture in the lacerated wound closure; (4) Effects of music therapy on anxiety in ventilator-dependent patients; and (5) Measurement of testing of reliability and validity of Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale.



I like to publish my work in national and international refereed journals. At present, I have published more than 80 articles and have successful research grants of AUD $1.3 million. I co-authored a book on ECG interpretation which is being used by nursing students. I am a peer reviewer for numerous journals including the American Journal of Infection Control, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Journal of Clinical Nursing, Transcultural Nursing Journal, Research in Nursing and Health, Quality of Life Research, Australian Critical Care Journal, and many more.

The small number of Filipino nurses at Down Under may be fortunate to have a Filipino colleague who is at the helm of molding nurses in Australia. From the GFNR team, saludo po kami.

One of the Roses in Philippine Nursing

A prized alumna of the Philippine Union College (now the Adventist University of the Philippines) is a prolific Filipina nurse in the United States and her credential is spanning over 30 years. All the way from University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Dr. Rose Constantino is a nurse par excellence in teaching, research, community involvement and leadership. Aside from having a Ph.D, she holds a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and also fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing (AAN)/American College of Forensic Examiners International (FACFEI).

As a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International since 1972, she is a one of Society's Virginia Henderson Scholars. In July of this year, she presented a paper to the STT International Congress in Vienna, Austria. This was attended by thousands of nurses from all over the world.

Her leaderhip prominence is seen both at the state and national levels where she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Nursing Foundation (ANF) the charitable arm of the American Nurses Association. At the state level, she is involved in PNA now renamed PSNA (Pennsylvania State Nurses Association) as an officer when it was PNA (Secretary and VP) and currently (PSNA) as a Vice-president of its charitable arm of PSNA, the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP). The NFP is the 501-c-3 or the charitable arm of PSNA that is responsible for raising funds for scholarships and charitable purposes and it is also responsible in distributing these funds to needy students or nurses. The NFP is currently exploring ways to develop a strategic plan to inspire and support high school graduates to enter in the nursing profession to practice, teach or do research after graduation.

Of course, she has other responsibilities in other boards in Pittsburgh. Currently, she is the President of the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) one of the oldest organization to provide mental health services to survivors of sexual assault, rape and abuse (SARA).

Below is a transcript of an email interview with Dr. Rose:

On her current research work

My current research is focused on caring for survivors of sexual assault, rape and abuse (SARA). I have developed a web-based intervention called HELP which stands for Health, Education and Legal Program for Survivors of SARA. It uses technological advancement in the Internet in providing information and intervention to survivors of violent crimes. Because most SARA survivors do not seek medical, health or legal assistance for fear of re-victimization and shaming, the use of the internet in providing them with "here and now" HELP is probably feasible. My past research studies which were funded by the National Institutes of Health and the University of Pittsburgh were related to providing face-to-face group or individual intervention for survivors of intimate partner abuse. These studies are published in journals.

On her involvement in the Pitt's Graduate Program on Forensic Nursing

These are four 3-credit web-based courses: Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting and Forensic Nursing; Advanced Practice in Forensic Nursing; Psychiatric mental health and Correctional Forensic Nursing; Seminar and Practicum in LNC and FN; and a fifth course on Crime Scene Investigation (CSI-taught by the department of Administration of Justice at Pitt's school of general studies are the five core courses of the Certificate program in LNC and FN. The potential for it becoming a specialty in the masters, the doctor in nursing practice (DNP) or in the PhD program is great.

Other schools in the US already have the MSN in FN (forensic nursing), the DNP in FN and the PhD in FN programs and their graduates are practicing or teaching in this nursing specialty. I would like to submit a proposal on a DNP in FN to the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing or to any school of nursing national or international, who would commit some resources into this DNP program. Currently, I am receiving inquiries about this specialty from a variety of nurses (RNs with diploma education, nurses with undergraduate and/or master's degrees wanting a shift in their practice specialty, education or teaching career from here in the US or abroad.

On her involvement to Filipino students at the University

This is a very rewarding experience for me to be asked by children of Filipinos to act as their advisor as they seek undergraduate education at the University of Pittsburgh. Of course the Filipino Student Association's (FSA) goal is to promote good will among a diverse student population and disseminate the Filipino culture within the campus and the neighboring colleges and universities in the region. They have "Fiesta sa Nayon" once a year, a dance presentation once a year in conjunction with other activities. The "tinikling and sinkil" are always presented. Last year, the FSA had a New York-based Filipina who spoke in its event. She is a member of the Gabriella-Purple Rose Society working to stop human trafficking globally. Also last year the Association sponsored a concert presenting a Filipino singer. I was unable to attend this concert as I was out of town attending a conference. During these programs, Filipino food (pancit, lumpia, adobo, etc) and drinks (mellon drink and halo halo) were served. By the way, the University of Pittsburgh is promoting good will, transparent and respectful relationships among students from all races, ethnicity and walks of life.

On sexual assault, rape and abuse (SARA)

I coined SARA because survivors really cannot differentiate between these crimes. All they know is that what happened to them was devastating and humiliating because it robs them of their future. The terms are all one to them. Further, authors use these terms interchangeably starting with "rape", then they drift into the use of "sexual assault", and then they go back to "rape" and "sexual abuse" or "sexual violence". Therefore, I coined SARA as a single crime. Also, we should call people who experience SARA as "SURVIVORS of SARA"-the person first then the problem or the illness, e.g., the woman with diabetes, the student in a wheelchair or the man with schizophrenia, not "the rape victim", "the diabetic woman", "the wheelchair-bound student" or the "schizophrenic young man".

Truly, Dr. Constantino is a rose in the Philippine nursing profession.

At the Portal of Rutger's Nursing School is a Fil-American

A number of Filipinos who migrated to the United States have struggled for a better life for themselves and their families that have made it easier for the rest of us. Too many of them had contributed and defined the evolving American dream.

On the other hand, it is good to learn of many second-generation Filipinos who made a name for themselves in various arenas. From corporate America to a host of healthcare facilities to the highly competitive academia, it is not surprising therefore that some refer to Filipino Americans as "a best kept secret" of the nation.

Meet Dr. Cynthia

Prof. Cynthia Ayres, Ph.D.,RN is an alumna of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey for all her nursing degrees starting with her BSN to MSN to Ph.D. She does researches on a number of issues among them: Improving the delivery of clinical preventive services (provider and patient-focused); Health promotion and disease prevention among vulnerable and diverse populations; Cancer prevention and early detection among vulnerable and diverse populations, andHealth promotion in children and adolescents.

Amid her busy schedule at Rutgers' College of Nursing, she was kind enough to answer our questions.

On her work as a book reviewer of the American Academy of Medical Administrators

As a book reviewer, I am able to provide readers with the knowledge of new texts that may be useful for their practice. There are numerous texts on the same subject out there at any given time and recommendations as to which text is most useful are few and far between. As a book reviewer, I am able to provide my thoughts regarding the usefulness of the content and whether or not the author(s) provide information in a way that is easily understood, relevant to the subject at hand, and inclusive of important concepts related to the topic. In addition to being a book reviewer for the American Academy of Medical Administrators, I am a reviewer for the Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved. Serving as an external reviewer in these capacities provides me with the opportunity to share my expertise and knowledge using a nursing perspective.

On her motivation to teach and research

Teaching provides me with the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with others in a way that helps others obtain their goal or dream to become a nurse clinician or nurse researcher. Knowing that I can help students realize their goal and contribute to their knowledge base truly motivates me to teach. The first few nursing courses I taught which began back in 1997 were junior and senior level pediatric clinical courses in the baccalaureate nursing program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. It was personally satisfying to watch these students “evolve” throughout the semester to grasp clinical concepts, strengthen critical thinking skills, and demonstrate excellent clinical skills by the end of the pediatric rotation. It made me feel that my work with these students made a difference both in their nursing education and to the nursing profession. What is also rewarding for me is when students I taught years ago in the baccalaureate program are now in my classes in the Graduate program. There is a special sense of pride in teaching these students. I think it is because I feel a connectedness with them, feeling a shared ambition with them to move up the academic ladder.

The types of courses I teach have changed throughout the years. My motivation in teaching today, a decade after I started, has also evolved. I am currently teaching Nursing Research and Theoretical Foundations in Nursing in the graduate program. Again, knowing that I can help these students realize their goal and contribute to their knowledge base motivates me to teach. However, additional motivation to teach these courses stem from my love of research and my commitment to stimulate others’ intellectual curiosity. In short, my motivation to teach comes from personal satisfaction in contributing to the intellectual growth of students, my love of research, and my commitment to the nursing profession.

Intrinsic to my motivation to do research is my strong interest in the research process. I remember my first undergraduate research course as a student, Nursing Research. My professor had such enthusiasm in teaching the course! I can honestly say that it was this first introduction to nursing research that generated my interest in this area. So much so that I went back for my Masters degree soon after I graduated, with the intention to eventually pursue my Ph.D. However, once I received my Ph.D., I wanted to leave academia and see what was out there beyond research. I held a number of varying positions but most recently I was the State Director, Health Systems and Collaboration for the American Cancer Society (ACS). But it’s funny, somehow I found myself conducting research on my own time, outside of my work responsibilities for the ACS. My motivation to do this research on my own time was due to my intellectual curiosity, my personal satisfaction of knowing that I could contribute to the knowledge base in the discipline of nursing, and of course the ‘perks’ that came along with presenting my research. In addition, a strong force in my motivation to conduct research during this time was my mentor. She was the Dean and Professor of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers College of Nursing. Most importantly, she was a colleague, friend, advisor, and constant motivator. Together we presented our research both nationally and internationally. For example, we were able to travel to such places as Denmark, France, Italy, Australia, Ireland, Singapore, Taipei, and Hawaii to present research findings and the networking opportunities were truly invaluable!

Although all of these factors motivated me to do research in the past, particularly at a time in my career where conducting research was not work-related, my motivation today has somewhat changed to a certain degree. Although I am still motivated to conduct research for purposes of contributing to the knowledge base of nursing, my strong interest in the research process, and the ‘perks’ associated with presenting findings through presentation and publications, an additional motivation these days is my ability to work towards tenure at a research intensive state university. As tenure-track faculty, it is not only an expectation to conduct research, but a requirement for reappointment, promotion and tenure. There is an expectation to obtain grants from external funding agencies and to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals. Therefore, my motivation comes from a number of sources, my intellectual curiosity, personal satisfaction, and both internal and external pressure to produce for academic tenure.

On Possible Opportunities for Collaboration with other Filipino Nurses

Yes, I believe there are opportunities for research and teaching collaboration with other Filipino nurses. Opportunities for research collaboration should include, for example, the identification of areas where health disparities among the Filipino population exist and the development and testing of culturally appropriate interventions. Filipino nurses who work with the Filipino population are in a unique position to provide interventions that are culturally sensitive. I think it is important for nurse researchers to collaborate with Filipino nurses in clinical practice to address these disparities. In addition, many Filipino nurses are traveling from the Philippines to practice in response to the U.S. nursing shortage. There is an opportunity to conduct research with these nurses to gain a better understanding of their adjustment, social support, and other relevant variables that could potentially improve their quality of life and transition. Also, the publication of the Global Filipino Nurses Review provides acknowledgment of other Filipino nurse researchers which can help other nurse Filipino nurses researchers, like myself, reach out to for potential research collaboration. There are numerous opportunities for collaboration with other Filipino nurses.

Teaching collaboration with other Filipino nurses also exist. I believe that Filipino nurses in the U.S., in particular, nurses with Masters and Doctoral, could collaborate with the nursing schools in the Philippines to provide educational opportunities. Technological advances such as online teaching and same time can provide new opportunities for teaching collaboration. Opportunities are endless!

On her professional involvement in various nursing groups

I am currently involved in the Philippine Nurses Association in New Jersey (PNANJ). I had the pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors of one of the local chapters (Essex County Chapter) and on the Educational Committee of PNANJ a number of years ago. I attend the Annual conferences and try to attend their social events when available. Two years ago, I was accepted as a research mentee by the National Coalition of Ethnic and Minority Nurses (NCEMNA) in which I represented the PNANJ.

In regards to my role as an NCEMNA mentee, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a convention with a number of workshops aimed at strengthening research skills as well as foster mentoring relationships with other nurse researchers/academians who had similar research foci.

I am also a member of the Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS). A few times I presented my research at their annual conferences and I continually look for opportunities to submit research abstracts for their annual meetings. In addition, I have maintained memberships in other nursing and multidisciplinary organizations over the past several years. For example, I was invited and continue to be an active, working member in a number of State Appointed Committees: New Jersey State Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan Evaluation Committee, the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Nursing Psychosocial Advisory Committee, and the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Breast Cancer Workgroup. I am also a professional volunteer for the American Cancer Society-Eastern Division. Involvements in these organizations provide me with the opportunity to share my knowledge, represent nursing and my affiliation, as well as afford me with invaluable networking opportunities.

UPCN Alumna at UCLA

Tales of successful Filipino nurses mostly abound in clinical nursing practice. But this edition featured a successful nurse destined for something else and in fact, on a higher level.

Dr. Lorraine Evangelista, RN Ph.D has carved a name for herself in the West Coast. And for many Filipino nurses in that part of the United States, they have a colleague in one of California's prestigious universities who is on the cutting-edge research of patients with heart disease.

1. Before coming to UCLA, tell us briefly about your professional journey as a nurse.

I actually graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Nursing in 1980 and immediately came to California that same year. I worked as a nursing assistant while I prepared for the RN board exams then later worked as a psych mental health nurse under my interim RN license. I used to love psych mental health nursing so much – in fact I wanted to be a psych nurse so much that I chose to do my specialty training my senior year in my BSN program at PGH Psychiatric Institute (this was almost like being a full-time nurse trainee for 6 months). However, after a few months in this field, the reality that nursing care was becoming more advanced and highly technical encouraged me to go into critical care nursing. So for 8 years I worked as a staff nurse and later a charge nurse in the ICU/CCU setting. In 1991, I went back to school for my Master’s degree in Nursing at UCLA and earned a certificate to be a Clinical Nurse Specialist. This work paved the way for me to get involved in clinical trials and research and I enjoyed it so much that I went back for my PhD in 1997 and graduated with a doctorate in nursing in 2 and half years (which is a record at the UCLA School of Nursing) since the average time it takes to complete a the PhD program is 4-5 years. My dissertation focused on the compliance and quality of life of heart failure patients.

2. What are your activities at UCLA College of Nursing? Research? Teaching? Community Service?

As a UCLA faculty member I continue to build on my research program – which is to focus on the nutritional aspects surrounding heart failure patients – with emphasis on those that are overweight and obese.

3. What are the opportunities for potential Filipino nurses in the area of nursing education in the US? What are your motivations as a nurse educator?

With the nursing shortage there is definitely so much opportunities for Filipino nurses here in the U.S. I actually have a lot of Filipino nurses who come back for the advanced practice programs (MSN) here at UCLA and I really help them reach their goals. I like to teach and support students (especially Filipino students) because I know that they will be the backbone of nursing in the future. I want to help motivate them to be the best that they can be because it helps the community learn to appreciate nurses in general.

4. Any alumni involvement back home.

I went home 2 years ago to speak to the student nurses at U.P. and inspire them. However, other than this, I haven’t really done much. I do plan to start extending my research to Filipinos and Pacific Islanders in the near future (I am currently submitting grant proposals to National Institute of Health for extramural funds)… once I receive the money I can be more versatile and can actually actively pursue some type of collaboration with nurse researchers back home and encourage them to work on a multi-site project… I think I have a lot to share in terms of mentorship and research experience and I have a lot to learn from them in terms of reconnecting with my culture and tradition.

From her self-evaluation, she wrote nicely about her motivations. And summing it up:

"In my first six years at the university, I have distinguished myself from my peers by my intellectual curiosity, my time management skills, and my high level of productivity. I believe that I have contributed to a greater understanding of the biobehavioral aspects in nursing care of cardiovascular patients. I am working on gaining external support for my research. My future plans include further NIH grant submissions to support my research in the areas of developing and testing interventions that target overweight and obese heart failure patients. My mentors have described me as a translational scientist who is committed to improving the lives of patients with heart disease and I must admit that this commitment is what motivates me as a researcher and leader. I look forward to a highly successful academic career. "

This Bicolano Nurse Making Waves in the US

GFNR debuts its online publication with a stellar recognition of a Filipino nurse who made it big in education arena in the United States and will continue to reap new opportunities for himself and for his country. Ten years down the road, this Bicolano guy will surely be the man to watch.

Prof. Jessie Casida, RN Ph.D received his BSN degree from Bicol University in Legazpi City in 1988, thereafter, worked at the Philippine Heart Center for a year.

1. Tell us about your career as a nurse educator from Seton to WSU.

Prior to my teaching appointment at Seton Hall University (SHU) in 2004, I was an adjunct clinical faculty at New York University from 1997 to 1999. (I received my MS in critical care nursing degree from Columbia University in 1996). My teaching career at SHU was wonderful! That teaching position had given me the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills surrounding teaching and learning, which I believe, made me a better teacher. Moreover, I was given the opportunity to maintain a part-time clinical practice and at the same time further my education. I completed my PhD degree while I was teaching with SHU. At SHU, my teaching responsibilities had included classroom, on-line and clinical instructions on the management of adult clients experiencing acute/critical conditions, in both graduate and undergraduate levels. I served as a course coordinator for undergraduate acute adult nursing, health assessment, and synthesis practicum. Also, I was involved with student advisement, and was a member in various college committees. I had a significant contribution in the development of the new Patient Simulation Laboratory at the College of Nursing. Following the completion of my PhD, I decided to take on another career challege, which is obtaining a faculty position in a doctoral/research-extensive university such as Wayne State University (WSU). I was hired by WSU this past June, and I am ranked as an assistant professor, tenure-track, in the department of adult health nursing. I will be teaching "Transition: Professional Nursing Practice" in the fall of 2007, primarily accelerated BSN students (second-degree students). I am excited, and looking forward to the many challenges ahead of me - being a teacher and a scholar. My 5-year goal is to obtain an RO1 funding from the National Institue of Nursing Research at NIH.

2. Aside from teaching, you are also into research. What are your research projects? What are the latest trend in your research specialty?

I've been involved in research for the past several years, as a developer as well as implementor of research projects. For example, I've developed and implemented unit-based studies on ventilator weaning protocols involving postoperative cardiac surgery patients; and CTICU nursing orientation process, which was the impetus for conducting a national survey on this topic. Furthermore, I was a coordinator/sub-investigator on several cutting-edge research involving heart failure, heart transplant, mechanical hearts and cardiac surgical procedure/equipment studies funded by the NIH, pharmaceutical and biomedical companies. While I was directly involved in the management of patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and in the process of completing my PhD, I explored, described and published the experiences of spouses as caregivers of these patients at home while waiting for heart transplant. I'm proud to say that I was the first nurse to describe such a stressfull, challenging roles and life-transforming events of these spouses. I will take this topic to the next level where I want to involve more reseearch participants, and perhaps add/refine research questions. I am also interested on the contribution of nurses in organizational effectiveness. In this context, I explored the relationship of the nurse managers' leadership styles and nursing unit organizational culture (OC) in acute care hospitals, which was derived from the conceptual framework of leadership and OC as two important explanatory constructs of organizational effectiveness. I will be presenting this research at the Nursing Management Congress in Chicago on September 16-19 this year. Currently, I am collaborating with a senior nurse-scientist at WSU to develop a research project on exploring physiologic variables that may affect the functional status of patients with LVADs. And, at the same time, I am writing a method paper, which discusses an OC measurement instrument and its implication to nurses who are involved in research and performance improvement initiatives. That having said, I am still in the process of defining my program of research, which lends itself to my previous clinical experience. It tentatively pertains to "The interplay of technology (LVAD), care systems and patient outcomes." I know I have a long, long way to go.

3. Any involvement with the local nursing communities:

Well, I just moved here in Michigan last month, and I haven't had the opportunity to reach out the local PNA folks. I was a member of PNA NY and NJ, NY and NJ American Associations of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Organization of Nurse Executives in NJ, and Sigma Theta Tau Gamma Nu Chapter. However, I have maintained memberships in several nursing and multidisciplinary organizations over the past several years. For example, I've been an AACN member since 1991, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists since 1996, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and recently the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses.

GFNR Editorial Policy

Global Filipino Nurses Review (GFNR) has strict policies in place to ensure adherence to these principles. We are committed to accurate and balanced reporting. Errors of fact are always promptly corrected and clearly published.

We are committed to reporting the facts and in all situations avoid the use of emotive terms. The only exception is when we are quoting someone directly or in indirect speech. We aim to report objectively actions, identity and background and pay particular attention to all our coverage.

We do not take sides and attempt to reflect in our stories, pictures and video the views of all sides. We are not in the business of glorifying one side or another or of disseminating propaganda. GFNR contributors do not offer their own opinions or views.

Feedback

We do welcome views on how we could improve our news coverage and all correspondence is read by an GFNR Editorial team. In fact we often spot and correct errors faster with the help of sharp-eyed readers.