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.