An Authentic Nurse Leader with a Grateful Life Mission
For Benjamin, every person starts out as a “blank slate” with the potential to learn and grow from their experiences; thus, he attributes much of his personal development and character to his early formative years. “Who we are today and what values and beliefs we upheld is deeply embedded in what transpired in our childhood and how these experiences had pushed us to have a different view of the world and how this influenced us to change our ways.”
Benjamin’s childhood home was in a small town in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to him, life was hard in his hometown. He studied from primary school to college in the same city. Although Benjamin has entrepreneurial skills, he chose to become a nurse since he believed it to be a stable profession with many prospects for success. In retrospect, however, he sees that his caring personality and ongoing journey to discover who he truly is have led him to value authenticity, kindness, and that grateful spirit that has placed him in a position where he can serve as a source of empowerment for others.
During college, he planned to work overseas until he achieved his lifelong dream of financial independence. That stems from his difficulties as a young man, what with being a part-time worker and a student. He credits his aunt as one of the most influential individuals in his life for her unselfishness in helping him through college. As Benjamin continued his education and training, he came to appreciate being a part of the caring profession and finding his voice in the process. Gratitude continued to bloom in his heart and soon became a core of his personality, fueling his passion as he continued his journey.
Currently, Benjamin has a deep and abiding interest in the field of nursing education and leadership. He is constantly learning and growing in his work role in Saudi Arabia. He uses his knowledge and abilities to create innovative academic programs. One of these was when he designed a master’s program to produce nurse educators who would make a difference in Saudi Arabia. “As a leader, my achievements are defined by seeing other people improve daily and being motivated to get through the day and complete the task at hand. After all, progress is more important than perfection.” He thinks a key component of successful educational ventures is doing everything to make a difference and positively influence rather than focusing on profits alone. One can balance things out – not just for oneself but for the greater good of many others.
“There is a great sense of fulfilment when a nurse or any other person tells you that you are their role model and are making a difference in their lives.” Because of this, he always brings his authentic self, stays true to his core principles, and pays it forward in honor of his mentors, whom he credits with helping him realize his own potential in all aspects of his life and career and continue to do so by also being a mentor to the next generation of nurses. He does not view his current role, status, or awards as proof of his accomplishment; rather, his measure of success is his positive impact on other people around him. “That impact brings me a greater value that I’m doing well in life.”
Benjamin has worked tirelessly to establish himself as competent in his field. He has recently won several awards, including the “Asia’s Leader & Innovator in Nursing Education” Award at the Asia’s Pinnacle Awards 2023 and the “Outstanding Leadership Award” at the “Education 2.0” conference in Dubai in 2023. Additionally, he is the President–Elect of the Phi Gamma Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and a member of the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Board of Commissioners for Certification. Benjamin thinks that trophies are not the be-all and end-all of success but just a beginning – a stepping stone in the continuity of his pledge to serve others. “One thing is certain – Such accomplishments should keep us motivated, inspired, grounded, kind and grateful,” he reiterates.
Benjamin is young, smart, tough, and dedicated; he has all it takes to become a global nursing leader. Importantly, his message indicates that his heart is in the right place and that he intends to stand firm on his commitment. “Life is not only about success. What is important is to nurture the relationships that we have around us. Be the best of yourself to the world, show love to the people important in your life, and always be grateful in each step of your journey.”