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.