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Tell us about your journey into nursing and your move to Australia.
I have been a nurse for nearly two decades, and my journey has been defined by a commitment to excellence, lifelong learning, and a great dedication for healthcare leadership and education. I graduated with honours, earning the distinction of Cum Laude, which marked the beginning of a purposeful and fulfilling career in nursing. Driven by a dedication to professional growth, I successfully passed a series of rigorous nursing licensure examinations, including the NCLEX-RN in the United States, HAAD RN in Abhu Dhabi.
I have also earned a postgraduate degree, a Master’s in Nursing. These qualifications not only affirmed my clinical competence but also opened doors to international opportunities and expanded my global perspective in nursing practice. Over the years, I have held a variety of roles across the spectrum of nursing, from bedside clinical care to strategic leadership positions. These experiences have equipped me with a holistic understanding of the nursing profession and a resilient, adaptive mindset suited to dynamic healthcare environments.
Settling in Australia represented a profound milestone in my Nursing career. It allowed me to integrate into one of the world’s most progressive healthcare systems, bringing with me a wealth of international experience and a deep passion for upholding the standards of Australian nursing. I continue to embrace opportunities to contribute meaningfully to nursing practice, education, and leadership in this vibrant and diverse country. Initially, it was challenging, starting again in a new healthcare system. Prior to moving here, I was fortunate to be sponsored and trained in a prestigious Hospital in Abhu Dhabi, affiliated with American Hospital.
My experience working across different countries has deepened my appreciation for the rich diversity that shapes clinical practice worldwide. While the core principles of nursing care remain universal—centred on compassion, safety, and patient well-being—each country’s unique cultural and healthcare context requires adaptability and cultural sensitivity. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, it was essential to respect and integrate the values and practices of the Muslim faith into patient care, ensuring dignity and trust in every interaction.
In Australia, I encountered a healthcare system with its own structure and terminology, distinct even from the American or other Western models I was familiar with—right down to variations in medication names and pronunciations. These differences, rather than being challenges, have enriched my professional journey, making me a more versatile, culturally competent, and globally minded nursing leader.
Can you walk us through a typical shift of an After Hours Hospital Coordinator and share what the most critical responsibilities are?
The After Hours Coordinator generally oversees hospital operations during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, ensuring patient safety, staff support, and policy compliance. The job role includes meeting clinical demands, managing emergencies, resolving conflicts, and coordinating bed management and staffing across departments. As a Hospital coordinator, the role also serves as a central point of contact for decision-making, upholding hospital standards and providing leadership in the absence of executive management.
What are some of the misconceptions people have about the role of a hospital coordinator?
The role of a Hospital Coordinator, is often misunderstood as a passive or low-stress role involving minimal clinical engagement. In reality, it is a dynamic and high-responsibility leadership role that is very crucial to hospital operations, especially outside regular business hours. Far from simply “sitting at a computer” or supervising from a distance, being a hospital coordinator means actively overseeing hospital-wide operational activity. They respond to emergencies, manage staffing challenges, resolve conflicts, and make complex decisions that impact patient outcomes.
What skills, training, and qualifications do you think are essential for someone considering this path?
Being a hospital coordinator requires a broad skill set—clinical expertise, sound judgment, leadership presence, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. I believe the role requires a combination of good education, extensive experience, and leadership training and seminars to manage complex hospital operations, and to uphold high standards of nursing care
After-hours roles often come with unique challenges, like managing emergencies, balancing limited resources, and supporting less experienced staff.
As a Hospital Coordinator, I keep my staff motivated by serving as a senior role model equipped with extensive clinical knowledge, sound judgment, and practical skills. I remain actively involved in the clinical wards , providing support when necessary and demonstrating a calm, solutions-focused approach under huge pressure. I also strongly believe in the power of recognition and make it a priority to acknowledge and appreciate staff for their contributions to patient care. By recognising their efforts, and forging a respectful work environment.
You’ve been featured in the Philippines Times(Australian Local Newspaper) and recognised as a member of the Filipino Diaspora. What message do you hope to convey to Australia about the contributions of Filipino nurses?
Filipino nurses have made contributions to Australia’s healthcare system. Known for their resilience, they consistently rise to the challenges of demanding clinical environments, adapting quickly, managing complex workloads, and remaining calm and composed under huge pressure. I believe the nature of their practice is a deeply rooted culture of compassion and care. Filipino nurses are recognised for their empathy and the therapeutic relationships they build with patients, families, and stakeholders.
What advice do you have for nurses looking to step up into leadership roles, whether as a shift coordinator, ANUM, or nurse educator?
I believe Leadership in nursing is not just about overseeing others, but it’s about upholding the highest standard of nursing practice and empowering those around you through consistent, ethical, and patient-centered care. To become a senior role model, one must have extensive clinical experience across varied settings, demonstrating both competence and confidence in high-pressure situations. Just keep on motivating yourself to lead and to support others who are less experienced.
Quality improvement and patient safety are crucial in these leadership roles. Can you tell us about why you’re interested in this space and why it is important?
As a Hospital Coordinator, I have a strong interest in quality improvement and patient safety, particularly during after-hours when resources may be limited and critical decision-making is essential. This focus not only enhances the safety and experience of patients but also strengthens my capability to lead the team efficiently in high-pressure complex situations.
Looking back on your career, what are some of the proudest moments you’ve had as a nurse, and what drives you to continue taking on challenging roles in healthcare?
One of my proudest moments as a health care provider was receiving a Health and Safety Award for managing a critical emergency. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of staying calm, leading with purpose, and keeping patient safety at the heart of every decision.
I was also honoured to be selected as a Global Organising Committee Member for an international healthcare conference. To top it off, being featured in the Philippines Times was incredibly significant not just for me, but for the many hardworking International nurses making a difference every day. It reminded me of the impact we can have when we lead with genuine compassion, resilience, and a commitment to nursing excellence.
Finally, what’s next for you in your nursing career? Are there any projects, roles, or goals you’re particularly excited about as you continue to make an impact in the healthcare world?
As I continue to grow in my Nursing leadership journey, my aspiration is to lead a larger, more complex, and dynamic healthcare organisation. I am passionate about driving quality improvement, fostering resilient teams, and creating systems that deliver safe, patient-centred care at scale. With my strong clinical foundation, great commitment and experience in operational coordination, I am keen in championing innovation leading through change, and contributing to long-term organisational success.
